PRESS RELEASE

35th National Japan Bowl set for April 23-24, 2027
National competition returns to Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, DC

Washington, DC – The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) is pleased to announce that the 35th National Japan Bowl® will take place April 23–24, 2027, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in downtown Washington, DC. JASWDC is honored to once again partner with the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies to host the national competition.

First established by JASWDC in 1992, the National Japan Bowl has been held for 35 consecutive years, bringing together high school students from across the United States to demonstrate their knowledge of Japanese language and culture. Over the years, the competition has reached students at 260 schools across 35 U.S. states, as well as Guam and Mexico.

The National Japan Bowl is a challenging and engaging competition in which students showcase their knowledge of Japanese language, culture, history, geography, society, and current events. Competitors participate in one of three levels based on their current level of Japanese-language study, with teams of two to three students representing their schools. Across two days, participants tackle 80 questions, take part in speaking activities, and the highest-performing teams advance to championship rounds to compete for national honors.

Beyond the competition, students can participate in cultural workshops, connect with representatives from Japanese cultural and educational organizations, and explore opportunities for study abroad and continued Japanese-language study. Top winners may also be invited to travel to Japan for a week of immersive cultural experiences, including opportunities to meet host families, local students, and dignitaries.

REGISTRATION

Registration for the 35th National Japan Bowl will be open November 2, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Additional information about eligibility, competition format, registration, and preparation will be available in the upcoming Competition Guide on the Japan Bowl website.

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS

JASWDC will offer virtual information sessions for teachers, students, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about the National Japan Bowl. Sessions will cover the competition, registration process, what to expect at the event, and updates for the 35th National Japan Bowl.

Information Sessions:
• September 30, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• November 11, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• January 13, 2027 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Registration for the virtual sessions is available through the National Japan Bowl website at japanbowl.org.

Learn more at japanbowl.org and follow @japanbowl on Instagram.

CONTACTS

For more information about the 35th National Japan Bowl, please email japanbowl@jaswdc.org.
For media inquiries, please contact William Denton, Communications Manager, at wdenton@jaswdc.org.

ABOUT THE JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON DC

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501(c)(3) educational and cultural nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States at the grassroots level. Through its programs and activities, JASWDC works to foster connections between Japanese and American people and communities in the National Capital Region and beyond.