WASHINGTON, DC (April 3, 2024) – The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) is excited to announce that the 32nd National Japan Bowl competition will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 18 – 19, 2024, at the University of Maryland College Park.

For the past 31 years, JASWDC has organized the Japan Bowl to recognize and encourage students across the United States who have chosen Japanese as their foreign language. The National Japan Bowl, America’s premier Japanese-language competition , is vital for inspiring students and reinforcing their teachers and school districts’ efforts and investments.

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.

This year, the Society looks forward to welcoming a grand total of 24 schools, 54 teams, and over 120 students and teachers from around the country to participate in the two-day competition. The Championship Rounds and Awards / Closing Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 19.

The National Japan Bowl is proud to be a “Participating Event” of Washington DC’s 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival.


EVENT SUMMARY

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.

Competitors are divided into three levels during the competition based on how long they have studied Japanese. Each school sends a team of two to three students to compete at each level. Over two days, teams tackle 90 questions and a conversation round. Finally, the top three teams from each level will face off in the championship rounds to determine who will be crowned this year’s national champions.

Students will enjoy live workshops between competition rounds. Students and teachers will 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.

The National Japan Bowl’s top winners are expected to travel to Japan for a week of cultural experiences with host families and Japanese students and an audience with dignitaries, including Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, the National Japan Bowl’s honorary patron.


EVENT SCHEDULE (OPEN TO PRESS)

Championship Round || April 19 from 14:30 to 17:30 (EST)

  • Level 2   ||  14:30 to 15:30
  • Level 3   ||  15:30 to 16:30
  • Level 4   ||  16:30 to 17:30

Closing Ceremony || April 19 from 18:00 to 19:00 (EST)


LOCATION

Adele H. Stamp Student Union
3972 Campus Drive College Park, MD 20742
University of Maryland, College Park


METRO

Green Line
College Park – UMD
4931 Calvert Road


PARKING

Visitor Parking will be available throughout the University of Maryland College Park Campus.


PRESS CONTACTS

For more information regarding the 32nd National Japan Bowl, please contact JASWDC Communications Manager, Luciana Martorell at [email protected]. Hi-resolution images of past National Japan Bowl competitions are available.


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 US at the grassroots, public diplomacy level. Our programming aims to bring Japanese and American people closer together in the Nation’s Capital area.

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