About JapanHands

JapanHands is a free public resource. Organizations can register at no cost, post their events on the shared calendar, and reach a wider audience across the Japan-related community. The public can freely access all listings, programs, and opportunities on the site, making JapanHands an open, inclusive hub for anyone interested in Japan-related activities in North America and beyond.

Developed by the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), in partnership with the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ) and with generous seed funding from the United States–Japan Foundation, JapanHands represents a long-term investment in the connective infrastructure that supports Japan’s engagement with the U.S.

Built on the foundation of NAJAS99—which highlighted more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing the U.S.–Japan partnership—JapanHands transforms community resources into an online, interactive platform intended to grow through public participation.

Through its online directory, shared event calendar, and email updates, JapanHands aims to cultivate a wider and more inclusive generation of “Japan Hands”—individuals with the knowledge, relationships, and experience to engage meaningfully in Japan’s interactions with the world community.

NAJAS supports the launch and ongoing sustainment of JapanHands.

You can browse the directory and events, subscribe for occasional updates in the footer, or apply to list your organization.

About the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS)

The National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) is the umbrella organization for 40 Japan-America Societies and 10 affiliate organizations throughout North America. Through networking, professional development, collaborative programming, and shared resources, NAJAS empowers its members to promote educational exchange, economic cooperation, cultural understanding, and enduring people-to-people relationships between the United States and Japan. For more information, visit www.us-japan.org.

About the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ)

The American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ) promotes international understanding and cooperation by strengthening relationships among scholars, educators, scientists, business leaders, policymakers, philanthropists, and civic organizations in partnership with the International House of Japan. Through leadership initiatives, educational programming, research, and strategic partnerships, AFIHJ advances dialogue and collaboration between Japan, the United States, and the international community. The International House of Japan is a private, non-profit organization incorporated, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation and other private institutions and individuals, in 1952 for the purpose of promoting cultural exchange and intellectual cooperation between the peoples of Japan and those of other countries. For more information, visit afihj.org.