Japan Bowl® The Japan-America Society has a special responsibility to the next generation of Americans, to help them learn about Japan as a country – its language, its history and culture, and its relationship with the United States. The Japan Bowl® was created by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC in 1992. It is an academic competition that tests the achievements of high school students throughout the United States who are studying the Japanese language. But the Japan Bowl goes beyond language. It also tests the students’ knowledge of “Japan, the country.” The National Japan Bowl competition is held each spring. The format is modeled on popular quiz shows such as “It's Academic.” Teams from across the nation compete for two days at three different levels, depending on how long they have studied Japanese. The National Japan Bowl also includes a variety of cultural activities outside the competition room. In years past, the students have joined cultural workshops that feature activities such as calligraphy and origami. Students have learned how to wear a kimono and play the koto. They have met sumo champions and famous Japanese musical artists. Through the Japan Bowl, the Japan-America Society and its many supporters recognize and show appreciation to those high school students from across the United States who have chosen Japanese as their foreign language. The winners of the Level 4 competition – who usually are high school seniors -- are declared the National Champions and awarded a trip to Japan. In 2007 and 2008, the top three Level IV teams were invited to Japan and participated in demonstration competitions at the US Embassy in Tokyo and the Canadian Academy in Kobe - the “Tokyo Round” and the “Kansai Round.” For information on past Japan Bowls, including the annual reports, as well as media coverage, please click here. ANNOUNCEMENT – 2010 NATIONAL JAPAN BOWL The 2010 National Japan Bowl will be held Thursday-Friday, April 8-9, 2010 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival – the largest Japanese cultural festival in the United States - will be held on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington DC on the following day, Saturday, April 10, 2010. Further information can be downloaded below. 2010 National Japan Bowl Study Guide (PDF) 2010 National Japan Bowl Administrative Procedures Guide (will be available in September 2009) 2010 National Japan Bowl Application and Registration Forms (will be available in September 2009) (Last update: June 1, 2009) The Japan-America Society of Washington, Inc. 1819 L Street NW, Level 1B, Washington DC 20036 (T) 202-833-2210 (F) 202-833-2456 Email: jaswdc@us-japan.org