The Japan-America Association of South Carolina (JAASC) is a statewide, nonprofit, federally tax exempt corporation dedicated to fostering and promoting positive relationships among the peoples of the United States and Japan.
The JAASC was formed in 1988 due to the large influx of Japanese-owned businesses into South Carolina. As the U.S. and Japan continue to become more intertwined through trade, technology and finance, the JAASC seeks to demonstrate that, though the histories and cultures of our two nations are very different, our values are remarkably similar.
Our purpose is to strengthen the bond of friendship between our peoples by continually seeking to foster greater understanding through meaningful educational, social and cultural exchanges.
Examples include the operation of the Japanese Saturday School, a wide variety of social activities, and events in conjunction with the International Center of the Upstate.
JAASC 
Our Japanese factory is opening in Greenville and I am seeking to hire entertainment for a June 21st event and wanted to see if you offer or can refer me.
Hello, Dan! Sorry I missed this earlier, we’ll contact you shortly. -Christa
I have an event in Charlotte launching a new Japanese whiskey, Suntory Toki, on Sept 20th from 7-9pm that i am in need of some Japanese caligraphiers, drummers and possibly to perform a tea ceremony. This would be a paid service and we could provide hotel accommodations if traveling from out of town. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience. Thanks.
Ken McLeod
704-608-0337
My wife and I may be moving to Greenville due to my job. She is Japanese and would like to talk to someone about where to live. We would both like to live in a more Japanese populated area of possible.
Hi, my name is Shinji Kitano living in Atalanta,GA working for IACE Travel Atlanta Branch
and would like to join JAASC as individual member and participate Shinnenkai on 01/21.
Is it too late to apply membership and register the event.
I couldn’t find contact from Web and it is very helpful if you could contact to me.
Thank you very much for your corporation and looking forward to hearing from you.
I’d like to invite you to Greenville Concert Band’s upcoming concerts in conjunction with Upstate International Month. We are playing music representing a number of world cultures, and one of the pieces is called “Japanese Rhapsody” – by Clare Grundman, based on three traditional Japanese songs. At our March 17 concert, that piece will be introduced by special guest Yuji Kishimoto, professor emeritus of Architecture (Clemson). Concerts are 7:30 PM March 17 at Greenville Tech and 3:00 PM March 25 at Hughes Main Library, and are free. You can find more details on our website, greenvilleconcertband.org.
Thank you for the information, Mr. Widener! We look forward to it, and will share the details with our members here and on social media.
We are launching a new Japanese whiskey, Suntory Toki, here is Greenville, SC in April that i am in need of some Japanese caligraphiers, drummers and/or possibly to perform a tea ceremony. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience. Thanks.
Betsy Wine
864-420-3785
Can someone please contact me when they have a moment. I would like to join and have a few questions. Thank you so much.
Hi Christa,
I manage sponsorship sales for ETV and SC Public Radio in the Upstate area. We are the PBS and NPR Member networks for South Carolina.
I believe we would be a great media fit for JAASC’s marketing efforts due to our unique, well-educated audience, broad reach and quality programming.
Are you available to meet either Wednesday, June12th or Thursday, June 13th anytime between 10am – 4pm? Let me know what works best for you.
Thank you,
Lisa Bily
Sales Executive, Corporate Sponsorship
SCETV and SC Public Radio
864.380-0720
Thanks for reaching out, Lisa! I’ll send you an email now.
– Christa
I am planning on taking a trip to the Bon Dance. When will the schedule be posted? Also, will there be ample parking? thinking of going to the Farmer’s Market before. This will be my first trip to Greenville. and am afraid to miss the Bon Dance.
Dear Merle, thanks for reaching out to us! The location for Bon Dance is in a former shopping mall — we do think you will find ample parking. We just posted the demonstration schedule today, you can find it here: https://jaasc.org/bon-dance/#schedule. Have fun at the market beforehand and we hope to see you on Saturday!
hi Christa,
Arigato. i am so excited. And you also have hula, mahalo
Hello, Christa, I am seeking American homes (2) for two Japanese boys who would like to come to the US as high school exchange students for the 2017-18 academic year. This would be an ideal opportunity for any English-speaking family with an interest in expanding their knowledge of Japanese language and culture. Shion, 15, likes basketball, is a talented pianist, and has served as student council president at his school in Japan. He is eager to improve his English so that he can realize his goal of helping with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo! Ayato, also 15, enjoys reading, volleyball, swimming and musical theater–especially Les Miserables! He helps his mother in the kitchen and is looking forward to preparing some Japanese dishes for his American family to sample. To help one of these boys–short or long term–families should call me at 803.422.6247, and/or go immediately to http://www.ayusa.org to begin the online application to host.
Thanks for your message, Diane. We’ll share this information with our members and followers, I’m sure some of them would be interested to learn more about being host families to exchange students!
Hello! I very much appreciate what your organization stands for. Along the same lines of forging community, we are hosting a traditional Okinawan karate camp over three days at the end of Sept in the Hendersonville area. We are looking to expand and share more of Japanese culture outside of karate during our final gathering on Sat evening Sept 30. Do you have any local suggestions that might be interested in demonstrating or performing? A dance performance would be ideal.
Thanks so much!
Shannon
Dear Shannon,
What a great idea! I’ll reach out to Midorino Kai, the group who does our Bon Odori dances each year, and see if they’d be available for this or can recommend someone.
— Christa