The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH

The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH -Leading US-Japan Exchange in Houston for 57 years-

Since its founding, JASH has been dedicated to promoting in Houston, Texas, meaningful lasting understanding between Japan and America. JASH brings Japanese culture to Houston in the form of dynamic, thought-provoking experiences that pave the way for new understanding and new ideas. JASH's primary activities include:

-Coordinating a wide range of events that enhance knowledge of Japan:
-

individual cultural events
-business lectures and lunches
-social and networking events

-Providing Japanese and English language instruction

-Assisting Japanese expatriates adjust to Texas

-Supporting schools and community organization in teaching about Japan:
-"Japan in Your Classroom" visits to schools by JASH staff/volunteers
-ad hoc presentations and workshops
-general advice service

JASH's annual signature events include:
-Japan Festival of Houston
-Japan Update Houston Conference
-Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest
-Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest
-Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Exchange
-JASH GALA annual fundraising dinner


JASH activities for the community have provided cultural enrichment for Houston area schools and community groups, increased economic insight for businesses, and enjoyment for all.

Our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors continued experiencing Houston through service and community.At Kid...
08/21/2026

Our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors continued experiencing Houston through service and community.

At Kids' Meals Inc 🍎, the students rolled up their sleeves and spent the afternoon shucking corn to support the organization’s work providing meals to children and families across Houston. It was a hands-on opportunity to experience the spirit of volunteerism and give back to the community that has welcomed them.

The Ambassadors also visited Houston Fire Department Station 37 to learn more about the first responders who serve our city. An emergency call meant the ambulance and fire truck were called away during their visit—a real-life reminder that duty can call at any moment! 🚨

Our sincere thanks to Kids’ Meals and HFD Station 37 for welcoming our Youth Ambassadors and sharing the important work you do for Houston. ❤️

Our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors got a special behind-the-scenes look at Daikin Park, home of the Hp...
08/20/2026

Our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors got a special behind-the-scenes look at Daikin Park, home of the Hpuston Houston Astros!

The students stepped onto the field and into the dugouts, then explored the press box, Mission Control, Coca Cola Corner, and more—seeing the ballpark from perspectives most fans never get to experience.

For our visitors from Chiba, where baseball is every bit as beloved as it is in Houston, it was an especially fun way to experience another connection between our two cultures. ⚾

A very special thank you to Dr. Heejun Yoon for generously welcoming our Youth Ambassadors and making this unforgettable experience possible!

The 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors received a memorable welcome at Houston City Hall when Mayor John W...
08/20/2026

The 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors received a memorable welcome at Houston City Hall when Mayor John Whitmire invited the students into his office for a personal visit. 🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

Mayor Whitmire spent time talking with the students and made the occasion especially meaningful by writing each Ambassador a personal message of encouragement to take home with them.

It was a wonderful expression of the friendship between Houston and Chiba—and a moment our Youth Ambassadors will remember long after they return to Japan.

Our sincere thanks to Mayor Whitmire, Gigi Lee, and the entire Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA) team for their gracious hospitality and for making our Chiba delegation feel so warmly welcomed in their sister city.

Today, our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors discovered firsthand why Houston is known around the world a...
08/18/2026

Today, our 2026 Houston–Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassadors discovered firsthand why Houston is known around the world as Space City during an unforgettable visit to Space Center Houston. 🚀🇯🇵🇺🇸🌎

The students stood beneath the enormous Saturn V rocket that helped make journeys to the Moon possible, explored the remarkable story of human spaceflight—from the pioneering Mercury and Gemini programs to Apollo and the Space Shuttle era—and toured the Astronaut Training Facility, where astronauts prepare for missions today.

And one experience was especially hard to top: they touched the Moon—together! 🌕 Our Ambassadors gathered around a genuine lunar sample and reached out together to touch something that had traveled all the way from the Moon to Houston. It was one of those extraordinary moments that made the history and wonder of space exploration suddenly very real.

Their journey also introduced them to today’s reusable rockets and looked ahead to Artemis and the next chapter of lunar exploration. From the achievements of the past to the possibilities of the future, the students saw that the story of space exploration is still unfolding.

Throughout the day, there was also a lesson especially fitting for Youth Ambassadors: space exploration depends on people from different countries communicating, trusting one another, and working together toward something bigger than themselves.

In their own way, that is exactly what these young people are doing through sister-city exchange!

A memorable day of curiosity, discovery, and friendship in Space City! 🚀✨

🇯🇵✈️🇺🇸 From Chiba to Houston — Our Youth Ambassadors Have Arrived!Yesterday, as we shared news of the severe flooding an...
08/15/2026

🇯🇵✈️🇺🇸 From Chiba to Houston — Our Youth Ambassadors Have Arrived!

Yesterday, as we shared news of the severe flooding and heavy rainfall affecting Chiba, there was real concern that the weather and widespread transportation disruptions might prevent our Youth Ambassadors from making their journey to Houston as planned.

We are therefore especially relieved and delighted to share that all four 2026 Chiba Youth Ambassadors and their chaperone arrived safely in Houston! 💙

Despite the challenging conditions in Chiba, the delegation was able to reach Narita Airport and depart for Texas. And after the long journey, the students were welcomed in Houston by their host families, marking the beginning of their homestays—and a very special two weeks of friendship and exchange. 🏠✨

In the days ahead, the students will experience Houston through school visits, cultural experiences, community activities, and time with their host families, building friendships and connections that reach across language, culture, and thousands of miles.

Our thoughts remain with everyone in Chiba affected by the severe weather, and we are tremendously grateful that our young ambassadors and their chaperone were able to make the journey safely.

A heartfelt thank you to our Houston host families for opening their homes and hearts, and to our partners in Chiba for their continued friendship and commitment to this longstanding exchange.

Welcome to Houston! ようこそヒューストンへ！ 🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

Our thoughts are with our friends in Chiba City and throughout Chiba Prefecture as communities contend with severe flood...
08/15/2026

Our thoughts are with our friends in Chiba City and throughout Chiba Prefecture as communities contend with severe flooding caused by historic rainfall.

As Chiba’s sister city, Houston shares a special bond of friendship with the people of Chiba. We are thinking of all those affected by the flooding, landslides, power outages, and evacuations, as well as the first responders and community members working to keep residents safe.

To our friends in Chiba: Houston is thinking of you and wishing everyone safety and strength in the days ahead. 🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

We love keeping up with their wonderful work online, but it’s always a special treat when our paths cross in person. ❤️S...
08/10/2026

We love keeping up with their wonderful work online, but it’s always a special treat when our paths cross in person. ❤️

So when MOE／Kimono Mom came to Houston for a sampling of her Umami Sauce at H-E-B, we were delighted to stop by—and even happier to have H-E-B’s youngest ambassador, MINA COLE, join the fun! 🇯🇵🤠

Moe-san and Mina-chan are both special members of the JASH family and kindred spirits in the work of cultural bridge-building. Through food, family, language, and everyday life, each has her own distinctive way of sharing culture, inspiring curiosity, and bringing people together.

That same spirit is at the heart of JASH, and we’re proud to count among our friends people finding creative and authentic ways to strengthen connections between Japan and our community.

Good friends, shared purpose, and plenty of umami—our favorite kind of gathering! 🥢✨

All work and no play? Not for the Chiba Innovators!In between developing business ideas, honing their pitches, and stepp...
08/10/2026

All work and no play?
Not for the Chiba Innovators!

In between developing business ideas, honing their pitches, and stepping outside their comfort zones, the Chiba Innovators Academy Class of 2026 found a little time to explore, experience, and enjoy Houston.

From discovering Houston’s innovation ecosystem at The Ion and exploring the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, to reaching for the stars at NASA and getting a taste of Texas BBQ, the students experienced some of the many things that make Houston such a dynamic and distinctive city.

The week wrapped up with a farewell reception—a chance to celebrate new friendships, shared experiences, and a week filled with learning, laughter, and memories.

Because sometimes the connections made outside the classroom are just as important as the lessons learned inside it.

It was truly a joy to have the Chiba Innovators with us in Houston, and we hope they will carry a little bit of Houston with them wherever their dreams take them next.

Samurai Blue stars are coming to Houston! 🇯🇵⚽After an incredible summer celebrating the beautiful game and the connectio...
08/10/2026

Samurai Blue stars are coming to Houston! 🇯🇵⚽

After an incredible summer celebrating the beautiful game and the connections it creates across cultures and borders, we’re excited to keep that spirit going with a special night of soccer and Japan-Houston friendship at Shell Stadium.

Next Saturday, join the Japan-America Society of Houston as the Houston Dynamo take on the LA Galaxy—and cheer on three Japanese standouts who have represented Japan on the international stage!

⭐ Maya Yoshida
⭐ Kyogo Furuhashi
⭐ Miki Yamane

All three have worn the Samurai Blue jersey, and Houston fans will have the chance to see them take the pitch right here in our city.

📅 Saturday, August 15
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 Shell Energy Stadium
🎟️ Special tickets: $24.35, including taxes and processing fees

Visit: https://www.jas-hou.org/events/2026/8/15/houston-dynamo-la-galaxy-japanese-soccer-jash

Tickets are limited, so grab yours and join us in the stands as we cheer on some of Japan’s biggest soccer stars! 🇯🇵⚽🇺🇸



📸s:
Yoshida by Martin Rickett for PAImages
Furuhashi by Powerpics
Yamane by ANP

From ideas to the pitch stage!The inaugural Chiba Innovators Academy culminated in a pitch competition at the University...
08/08/2026

From ideas to the pitch stage!

The inaugural Chiba Innovators Academy culminated in a pitch competition at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, where students presented the business concepts they had spent the week developing and refining.

We were honored to have Dean Geng of the C. T. Bauer College of Business join us for the competition, alongside our judges, Tak Ishikawa, JASH Chairman, and Ricky Sakai, representing JASH corporate sponsor MHIA, together with a representative from the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.

Five teams took the stage with ideas addressing real-world challenges—from accessible dining and AI-powered education to social connection, technology support for older adults, and sustainable meals.

Congratulations to Team MenuNavi, winner of the Best Presentation Award! MenuNavi proposed a digital platform that helps restaurants clearly communicate allergen and dietary information, creating a more accessible and inclusive dining experience.

Special congratulations to Ayana and Hanako, who were recognized as Best Presenters for their outstanding individual performances.

The competition was about much more than choosing a winner. It gave every student the opportunity to stand before an audience, communicate an idea with conviction, respond to questions, and demonstrate just how much they had grown over the course of the academy.

Congratulations to the entire Chiba Innovators Academy Class of 2026!

📸s by .sky.creative

Address

2990 Richmond Avenue , #670
Houston, TX
77098

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(713) 963-0121

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Japan-America Society of Houston, Inc. - JASH:

Shortcuts

Share

Category