What is the Friendship Circle Program?

The Friendship Circle Program is a cultural exchange network that promotes connection between the peoples of Japan and Washington State through education. It includes both Corporate Members and Regular Members and gives those living in Japan the opportunity to network and enrich their visit when coming to study or work in Washington State.

Friendship Circle Members are a specific category of membership at JASSW and is limited to those who reside in Japan. Friendship Circle Members who come to Washington State to study or work have the opportunity to enrich their experience through this program by networking with our other Society members who volunteer their time and expertise to provide exclusive company tours at places like Starbucks and Microsoft. Gain first-hand knowledge about the city with a local as your guide through the city to locations of your choosing.

Visit places like the Nisei Veteran’s Community Memorial Hall and the Japanese Cultural Community Center with other Society members to gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese American history of Washington and form life-long connections between Japan and the state of Washington as a member of the Friendship Circle.

Becoming a Friendship Circle Ambassador

Friendship Circle Members who volunteer with the Japan in the Schools (JIS) program – either as a volunteer helping during lessons or becoming a lead presenter and teaching lessons about Japan – visit schools in Washington and gain first-hand experience of American classrooms while teaching about Japanese language and culture.

After returning to Japan, you can become an America in the Schools (AIS) volunteer – teaching educators and students about American culture and education system. Become a Friendship Circle Ambassador by participating in both our education programs – Japan in the Schools (JIS) in the States, and America in the Schools (AIS) in Japan and help promote understanding and friendship through education.

As a member, you will become part of the network of Society and community members that are included in additional events such as the Holiday Card Exchange Program!

There are two types of Friendship Circle memberships: Corporate and Individual

Friendship Circle Corporate Membership

Where a single organization, whether a corporation, partnership or otherwise with no office or representation in Washington State, is desirous of maintaining a membership under its business name and having one of its designated representatives serve as an active member of the Society, it may do so. Each Friendship Circle Corporate Membership shall be entitled to one vote at the annual meeting of the Society and at any special meeting duly called pursuant hereto.

Friendship Circle Regular Membership

A Friendship Circle Regular Membership consists of an individual residing in Japan. Each such membership shall have one (1) vote at the annual meeting of the Society and at any special meeting duly called pursuant hereto.


News

Sakurai RyuichiJuly 24, 2024 ~ December 5, 2024
Yumi TsunodaApril 29, 2024 ~ August 15, 2024
Shion YamazakiApril 15, 2024 ~ May 31, 2024
Ryutaro KinzoFebruary 6, 2024 ~ May 31, 2024
Yujin HeoDecember 18, 2023 ~ December 13, 2024
KyungYoung (Jenny) KimApril 10, 2023 ~ November 19, 2023
Christie JungMarch 31, 2023 ~ July 8, 2023
Taira ShimotsuyaFebruary 27, 2023 ~ June 1, 2023
Koki MatsumuraJanuary 23, 2023 ~ March 30, 2023
Harin ParkOctober 3, 2022 ~ January 20, 2023
Chihiro MatsuoJune 29, 2022 ~ September 2, 2022
Moena YamakawaJune 29, 2022 ~ August 19, 2022
Jiwoo JungApril 4, 2022 ~ July 31, 2022
Satoshi MikiJune 2022
Ellen UchidaApril 2021 ~ December 19, 2023
Isami February 24, 2020 ~ April 3, 2020
RioFebruary 3, 2020 ~ February 27, 2020
DaichiFebruary 3, 2020 ~ February 27, 2020
Tomohiro IshiiJanuary 2020 ~ February 2020
Naoki KokubuNovember 1, 2019 ~ 
Randy UnJuly 2019 ~ September 2019
Tomomi July 1, 2019 ~September 13, 2019
Nanami KikuchiAug 7, 2019 ~ August 30, 2019
ChirikoJuly 2019 ~
Misako SatoJuly 22, 2019 ~
Kana KitahamaFebruary 6, 2019 ~ April 30, 2019
Aya OgataFebruary 1, 2019 ~ February 26, 2019
Yuno TanifujiJanuary 28, 2019 ~ March 30, 2019
Shari MonsonOctober 2018 ~ February 2019
Midori NakanoAugust 16, 2018 ~ August 31, 2018
Hiroki IshiiJune 26, 2018 ~ August 31, 2018
Yuka MuroiFebruary 7, 2018 ~ March 2, 2018
Lee Hyung WooFebruary 2018 ~ June 2018
Nao MiyamotoJanuary 28, 2018 ~ April 1, 2018
Hitomi Kase January 2018 ~
Ryoko YamamotoOctober 11, 2017 ~
Raymond SimOctober, 2017 ~
Chihiro KurokawaOctober 9, 2017 ~ December 1, 2017
Tomomi TsukadaAugust 25, 2017 ~ September 13, 2017
Shohgo MiuraJuly 6, 2017 ~ 
Jumpei AsakuraEnd of February 2017 - Mid-March 2017

List of Our Past Interns