Japan Friendship Organizations in the U.S. and Japan
Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International (SCI) is a membership organization that acts as a support group for both individuals and organizations involved in sister city relationships around the world, including those with Japan. They have branches in both Northern California and Southern California, which meet regularly. If you would like to learn more about SCI and what membership entails, please visit their homepage here.
Japan Societies in CA
There are numerous organizations that support relationships and cultural understanding between American and Japanese people. We list a few such groups below. If you know of another group that should be listed here, please feel free to contact us here.
Japan Society of Northern California
Japan America Society of Southern California
Asia Society, Northern California
Organizations in the U.S.
Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission: “The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission is a U.S. federal government agency. The Commission was established as an independent federal government agency by the United States Congress (P.L. 94-118) in 1975 to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange. The Commission is a grant-making agency that supports research, education, public affairs and exchange with Japan. Its mission is to support reciprocal people-to-people understanding, and promote partnerships that advance common interests between Japan and the United States. The Commission also serves to maintain expertise on Japan Studies throughout U.S. academic and professional institutions. It generally does not operate its own programs. It supports academic and non-profit organizations that conceptualize and execute U.S.-Japan training, research and exchange programs.”
Organizations in Japan
The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) : “Among other activities, CLAIR supports local governments looking to interact with their overseas counterparts through holding joint international conferences and starting sister city relationships, etc.”