Welcome to the Japan-America Society of Indiana
The Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization whose mission is to serve as a bridge of friendship between the people of Indiana and Japan. The Society is supported by a diverse membership of individuals, families, businesses and academic institutions.
Upcoming JET Application Office Hours
Oct. 27 | 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET
USJETAA will host free JET Application Office Hours on Tuesday evenings in October. These casual, one-hour sessions are informal and welcoming. Just drop in, ask your questions, and chat with experienced JET alumni from a variety of backgrounds.
Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival
November 6 & 7, 2026
Rushville, IN
The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival (MCCF) is a two-day celebration of artisan chocolate where attendees can meet cacao farmers and chocolate makers from around the globe. The Festival will be held in Rushville, Indiana, on November 6th and 7th. Guests will be able to sample different chocolates and explore how chocolate is made from cacao pods fresh off the tree.
Once again this year, the festival will welcome the award-winning chocolatier from Niigata City, Japan, and his team from "Sweets Escalier" in Niigata.
Messengers of Peace: 100th Anniversary of Friendship Dolls between Japan and the United States
October 2026 - May 2027
Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
This exhibition brings together five historic Japanese Friendship Dolls currently housed in the United States, along with one American doll that originated in Indianapolis that is part of a permanent collection at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Through the dolls themselves, archival materials, and personal stories, visitors will discover how communities in Japan and the United States exchanged these dolls in the 1920s as powerful symbols of international friendship.
Remarks from Indiana Governor Mike Braun
at the
JASI Annual Gala 2025
The Honorable Mike Braun, 52nd Governor of Indiana, delivered remarks at the Annual Gala of the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) held on August 20, 2025, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Click here for the video of Governor Braun's full remarks.
JASI's "Oishii Indiana"!
The Japan-America Society of Indiana's new restaurant series, "Oishii Indiana", travels around Indiana visiting some of the best and most authentic Japanese restaurants in the state. Enjoy "touring" a new restaurant each week! The short videos will include interviews with the owners and chefs, the chef's demo of a popular dish, and live comments from customers. The new online series is made possible with support from the GEN-J program, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and Japan-America Society of Indiana, with professional support from Monumental Productions. "Oishii Indiana" will help you discover the best of Japanese cuisine in Indiana!
Click here to watch the whole series!
JASI’s online series is made possible with support from the GEN-J program, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and Japan-America Society of Indiana, with professional support from Monumental Productions. "Oishii Indiana" will help you discover the best of Japanese cuisine in Indiana!
Conferral of The Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold and Silver Rays Upon Ms. Theresa A. Kulczak
On November 3, 2016 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2016 Autumn Imperial Decorations. Among the 96 foreign recipients is Ms. Theresa A. Kulczak, Executive Director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana. She will receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays in recognition of her significant contribution to promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. The prestigious decoration is conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.