Japan-America Society of Oregon

What Japan-America Society of Oregon does

Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1907 and headquartered in downtown Portland, Oregon, serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. It is the 3rd oldest Japan-America Society in the United States and one of 37 such societies nationwide. The organization operates with a lean paid staff of 3 supplemented by 150+ volunteers, supported by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and sustains a base of 120 corporate members and 800+ individual members.

JASO's portfolio centers on three program pillars. (1) Japanese language education: group classes in Portland and Salem (8-week, 75-minute sessions), Zoom-delivered business Japanese, and private one-on-one classes, with a minimum-4-student threshold per cohort. (2) Cultural and educational outreach: the Japan on the Road program reaches 90+ elementary classrooms and 2,500+ students annually; the Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl sends regional high-school champions to the National Japan Bowl in Washington, D.C.; and the Toyama Cup, an annual college-level Japanese speech contest running for 30 years, is co-hosted with Toyama Prefecture under Oregon's 35-year sister-state relationship. (3) Business and community programming: the Delegation Visitation Management (DVM) service provides free meeting arrangements and translation for visiting Japanese organizations (supported by Prosper Portland, Port of Portland, Business Oregon, and Travel Portland), alongside the Business Speaker Series, Women's Leadership Council, NEXT (young professional) programming, and signature cultural events (Shinnenkai New Year celebration, Japanese Beer Garden, Annual Gala, Golf Tournament).

The revenue model is membership-driven and event-driven. Individual memberships span $33 (Senior) to $1,000 (Columbia Circle). Corporate memberships run $220 (Copper, for small/new businesses and nonprofits) to $2,750 (Diamond), with tiered benefits including directory placement, job postings, event hosting rights, and an annual Business Cultural Competency seminar. Tuition from Japanese language classes, event ticket sales (e.g., $35/$50 Beer Garden; $30 raffle tickets), corporate sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations round out revenue. Customer acquisition is community- and event-led rather than sales-led, with marketing through jaso.org, a Wild Apricot-powered email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Name

Japan-America Society of Oregon

Legal name

Japan-America Society of Oregon

Website

https://jaso.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) is a 1907-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Portland serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. It delivers Japanese language classes, educational outreach (Japan on the Road, Toyama Cup, Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl), business networking, and cultural events to 120 corporate and 800+ individual members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange and Educational Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• Japanese language classes
• Us-japan business networking
• Community cultural events
• Nonprofit educational programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $33 (Senior) to $1,000 (Columbia Circle), providing access to events at discounted pricing, Japanese language classes, and member-only programs.
2. Corporate Membership Dues: Annual corporate membership at six levels: Diamond ($2,750), Platinum ($1,650), Gold ($1,100), Silver ($715), Bronze ($440), Copper ($220). Higher tiers receive unlimited event access, enhanced directory listings, job postings, and VIP function invitations.
3. Japanese Language Classes: Group Japanese language classes for business and travel/vacation purposes. Classes are 8 weeks, 75 minutes each. Must be a JASO member to participate. Private one-on-one classes available via Zoom.
4. Program Fees and Fundraisers: Revenue from events including Japanese Beer Garden tickets ($35 member, $50 non-member), Annual Gala, Golf Tournament, raffles (e.g., Delta ticket raffle at $30 per ticket), and other cultural events.
5. Donations and Sponsorships: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization accepting tax-deductible donations. Corporate sponsors support specific programs and events. Toyama Cup sponsored by Toyama Prefectural Government.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Japan-America Society of Oregon is a member-based, volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops business and community by strengthening the US-Japan relationship. It sells tiered individual and corporate memberships, paid Japanese language instruction (group and private classes), corporate language and culture training, and hosts a portfolio of cultural events (Shinnenkai, Japanese Beer Garden, Annual Gala, Golf Tournament) and educational programs (Japan on the Road, Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl, Toyama Cup speech contest).

Product overview

Japan-America Society of Oregon operates as a non-profit membership organization offering a portfolio of cultural exchange, educational, and business programming. The core offerings center on Japanese language instruction (group and private classes), cultural outreach to elementary schools (Japan on the Road), academic competitions (Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl and Toyama Cup), professional development (Business Speaker Series, Women's Leadership Council, NEXT Young Pro), and cultural celebrations (Shinnenkai, Japanese Beer Garden, Annual Gala). Additional services include corporate language and culture training, delegation visitation management for Japanese businesses, and member benefits including networking events and discounts. The programs serve individuals and corporations in Oregon and Southwest Washington, functioning as a membership-driven organization with tiered individual and corporate membership levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Japanese Language Classes (Group) Group Japanese language instruction offered in person in Portland and Salem and via Zoom, with 8-week terms of 75-minute sessions at multiple proficiency levels from beginner to advanced, taught by qualified teachers. Membership in JASO is required; small class sizes of 4-10 students. Textbooks (Genki 1, ~$65) purchased separately.
• Private Japanese Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• Japan on the Road visits over 90 classes and 2,500 students each school year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Toyama PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Oregon and Toyama Prefecture maintain a sister-state relationship since 1991 (35th anniversary celebrated in 2026). Toyama Cup speech contest was born in 1996 to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the relationship. Toyama Prefecture sponsors the Toyama Cup and funds winners' trips to Japan.
• Consular Office of Japan in PortlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond level corporate member. The Consular Office is actively involved in JASO programming and serves as a key partner in US-Japan relations.
• Prosper PortlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond corporate member and supporter. Works with JASO on the Delegation Visitation Management (DVM) program to support Japanese companies exploring Portland business opportunities.
• Port of PortlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum corporate member. Partner in DVM program helping arrange meetings and schedules for Japanese delegations. Supports various JASO events including Golf Tournament.
• Business OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold corporate member. Partner in DVM program for Japanese business delegations. Economic development agency supporting US-Japan business relationships.
• Travel PortlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum corporate member. Partner in DVM program. Tourism organization supporting Japanese visitors to Portland.
• Clark CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl competition. Located in Vancouver, WA.
• Japan Society of Northern CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for online programming including Japanese aesthetics, urushi lacquerware, Japanese textiles, and art/museum content.
• JapanCraft21minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner with Japan Society of Northern California for traditional craft programming.
• National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization for Japan-America Societies. JASO participates in annual meetings and collaborates on US-Japan programming.
• JETRO San FranciscominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum corporate member. Japan External Trade Organization supporting Japanese companies entering US markets.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold corporate member. Major sponsor of Annual Gala and Golf Tournament. Provided Delta ticket raffles to benefit JASO programming.
• Asahi USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing beer for Beer Garden events and Friendship Cup at Golf Tournament.
• Salem Multicultural InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner venue host for Japanese language classes in Salem, OR at 390 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97302.
• Portland Japanese GardenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum corporate member. Cultural institution partner supporting Japanese culture programming.
• Shokookai of PortlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond corporate member. Japanese Business Association of Portland - key partner in business community.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Japan Society of Northern California: Bay Area sister organization that has collaborated with JASO on online programming (Japanese aesthetics, lacquerware, textiles) per JASO's own partner list. Closest geographic and structural peer in California.
• Japanese Cultural Center of Chicago: Midwest counterpart operating cultural, educational, and community programming for the Japanese-American community. Comparable membership and program structure though tied to a community center facility.
• Japan-America Society of Washington DC: DC-based counterpart running similar corporate networking, cultural, and educational programming in the U.S. capital. Strong policy and government overlap given DC location, but operates as a directly analogous member-based nonprofit.
• Japan-America Society of Houston: Houston-area Japan-America Society offering comparable business networking, language, and cultural programming to a Texas corporate base. Functions as a directly analogous regional member-based organization.
• Japan Society (New York): The flagship Japan-America cultural and business organization in the U.S., offering language classes, business networking, cultural programming, and policy programming. Directly comparable mission and revenue model, with a much larger NYC footprint.
• Japanese American Association of New York: New York-based nonprofit delivering Japanese language classes, cultural events, and community programming under a membership model analogous to JASO. Strong overlap in educational and cultural offerings.
• Japan-America Society of Southern California: Los Angeles-based Japan-America Society delivering cultural, educational, and business programming with a similar nonprofit membership structure. Comparable in mission and revenue model though operating in a larger metro.

Broad incumbents

• Asia Society: Pan-Asian cultural and business organization with U.S. centers delivering policy, education, and arts programming. Broader remit than JASO but overlaps meaningfully on corporate networking, K-12 education, and cultural events.
• Japan Foundation (Los Angeles office): Japanese government-affiliated organization running cultural and educational programming across the U.S. Overlaps with JASO on language education and cultural exchange but operates at a national scale with government funding rather than local membership dues.

Regional players

• JETRO San Francisco: Japan External Trade Organization's U.S. arm — listed as a JASO partner — that supports Japanese companies entering the U.S. market. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but overlapping on the business-introduction value proposition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JASO202
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/japan-america-society-of-oregon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Japan-America Society of Oregon