Press Release
For Immediate Release
34th National Japan Bowl Participants Visited Japan through Kakehashi Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This past July, the winners of the 34th National Japan Bowl traveled to Japan for a unique cultural and diplomatic exchange through the Kakehashi Project, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The Kakehashi Project promotes mutual understanding, trust, and friendship between Japan and the world by encouraging young people to explore Japanese culture, society, and values through immersive experiences.
This year’s Kakehashi trip brought together ten outstanding students who demonstrated strong performance as Level 4 competitors at the 34th National Japan Bowl, held April 17–18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. They traveled to Japan from July 22 to 28, with a special itinerary that included visits to Tokyo and Ishikawa.
In Ishikawa, the students took part in cultural exchange activities with local high school students, and experienced homestays, offering them firsthand insight into everyday life in Japan. They also attended educational sessions and hands-on workshops, deepening their knowledge and understanding of Japanese history, culture, and society.
In Tokyo, the delegation made courtesy calls to Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Mr. Yohei Onishi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. They also met with U.S. Embassy officials to learn more about U.S.–Japan relations. The students concluded the week by sharing reflections on their experiences and plans to promote Japan-U.S. exchange upon their return home.
The 34th National Japan Bowl welcomed 110 competing students from 19 schools across the United States and Guam, competing in 38 teams across multiple levels. Organized annually by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC), and co-hosted by The Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, the Japan Bowl® tests high school students on their knowledge of Japanese language and culture in a spirited, team-based competition. The event also fosters lasting friendships and opens doors to future academic and professional opportunities.
To learn more about the 34th National Japan Bowl, you can read the official program report here.
About the Japan Bowl
For the past 34 years, JASWDC has organized the National Japan Bowl, an academic competition that aims to recognize and encourage high school students across the United States who have chosen Japanese as their foreign language. Beginning in 1992, it has grown from a language-only competition to one that asks students about their knowledge of Japanese culture, history, society, sports, behavior, and current events. The National Japan Bowl, America’s premier Japanese-language and culture competition, is vital for inspiring students and reinforcing their teachers and school districts’ efforts and investments.
The Japan Bowl is not just a challenging and fun competition; it also allows students to experience Japanese culture firsthand and meet other students who share their interest in Japan and its language. Students and teachers also have opportunities to network with each other and meet with various Japanese cultural organizations, universities, and sponsors to learn more about career opportunities, study abroad programs and Japanese language and cultural opportunities outside the classroom.
Among the National Japan Bowl alumni are tomorrow’s leaders of our diplomatic, commercial, security, and cultural relations with Japan. Many credit the Japan Bowl as an important motivator in their endeavors. The Japan-America Society of Washington DC has supported the creation of twenty regional Japan Bowl competitions across America and worldwide, giving the program a global impact.
About the Japan-America Society of Washington DC
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501(c)(3) educational and cultural non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the U.S. at the grassroots public diplomacy level. Our programming aims to bring Japanese and American people closer together in the Nation’s Capital area.
Press Contacts
William Denton
Communications Manager
wdenton@jaswdc.org
Samantha “Sami” Marks
Japan Bowl Program Manager
japanbowl@jaswdc.org
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