What makes the Japan Bowl® unique is that it goes beyond language and asks students about their knowledge of Japanese culture, society, daily life, history, geography, and current events.
The Japan Bowl® was created by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC in 1992 and first held as a local competition for high schools in the Washington DC area. Within a few years, high schools from other parts of the nation joined the competition in Washington, and it became the “National Japan Bowl.”
In addition to the National Japan Bowl in Washington DC, there are Japan quiz bowl competitions throughout the United States. Regional Japan Bowl competitions are held annually in Illinois, Ohio, and the Pacific Northwest. There are now Japan Bowls in other countries such as Canada, the UK, Mexico, and Poland.
The Japan Bowl® seeks to motivate students to higher levels of academic achievement. It strives to impart the kind of real-world communications skills and cultural knowledge that will help students in their high school years and beyond. Most Japan Bowl participants say they plan to continue to study Japanese during their college years, and almost all hope to study abroad in Japan.
Japan Bowl® participants say they hope to have a “Japan connection” in their adult lives, whether in business, academia, the arts, or public service. No matter which profession they choose, the knowledge and skills they acquired as Japan Bowl competitors will help them become future leaders in the US relationship with Japan.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL JAPAN BOWL®
The National Japan Bowl® is America’s premier Japanese-language competition, created by Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) and now celebrating its 35th year.
Each spring, JASWDC welcomes over 100 of the country’s top high school Japanese language students to the nation’s capital for the competition. The National Japan Bowl is a high-level, high-intensity competition that tests students’ knowledge of Japanese language and of the culture, history, and social context that bring the language to life.
In previous years, the National Japan Bowl’s top students have traveled to Japan for a week of cultural experiences with host families and Japanese students, and audiences with dignitaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the US Embassy in Tokyo, and the America-Japan Society. In 2007, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado kindly became the Honorary Patron of the Japan Bowl, and she has kindly met with the top students of the Japan Bowl competition during the Winners’ Trip to Japan.
The National Japan Bowl has enjoyed support and encouragement over the years from the United States-Japan Foundation; the Embassy of Japan; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; the Japan Foundation; and the American Association of Teachers of Japanese.
Why is the National Japan Bowl® important?
The US-Japan relationship is enormously important on both sides of the Pacific, but it depends on the continued involvement and expertise of each coming generation. The National Japan Bowl®, America’s only nationwide Japanese-language competition, is a vital tool for inspiring students and reinforcing the efforts and investments of their teachers and school districts.
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.
Global and Regional Japan Bowls®
JASWDC has supported the creation of twenty regional Japan Bowl® competitions across America and around the world, giving the program a global impact.
How can I support the National Japan Bowl®?
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC depends on philanthropic grants and corporate donations to make The National Japan Bowl possible each year. Please contact us directly for details.
Email: japanbowl@jaswdc.org
Phone: (202) 833 2210
The Japan Bowl® Trademark
Japan Bowl® is a registered trademark of The Japan-America Society of Washington, Inc. The Japan Bowl name and logo may be used only with the permission of The Japan-America Society of Washington, Inc.
The Japan Bowl® Team
The National Japan Bowl is produced by the staff of the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, members of the Japan Bowl Committee, and members of the Japan Bowl Council. JASWDC is grateful to all of our members of the Committee and Council for their dedication, commitment, and overall enthusiasm in supporting the National Japan Bowl.