Welcome to Japan Minnesota Association(JMA) !

 Japan Minnesota Association(JMA) was initially founded in 1984 for Japanese alumni of the Unversity of Minnesota. Now, this JMA was opened to everyone who is interested in Minnesota. 

Please contact(or E-mail) us  and become mailing list JMA member. Then you can get an updated JMA event information.

Year 2026

2026 Minnesota Association Cherry Blossom Viewing

Under a clear blue sky, I was able to participate in the Minnesota Association’s 2026 cherry blossom viewing. I was told that this tradition at Inokashira Park has been going on for about 20 years, and it was a moment that allowed me to feel the unique strength of the bonds between people that the Minnesota Association fosters. Continue

2026 Japan Minnesota Association Golf Tournament

The Japan Minnesota Association Spring Golf Tournament was held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Tsukui Lake Golf Club.

A total of 12 participants enjoyed a wonderful day filled with smiles and great company. Click here for details

Year 2025

CHRISTMAS PARTY 2025

On December 7, 2025, the Japan Minnesota Association held its Christmas Party at Plaza F in Yotsuya. Many members and families joined us again this year, filling the room with smiles, warm reunions, and new connections. [Click Here for details]

Report on the Japan Minnesota Association’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Japan Minnesota Association (JMA) held its 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Shinjuku Mitsui Club in Tokyo. Despite the intense summer heat, many guests gathered to share smiles, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy a heartwarming afternoon filled with meaningful exchanges. [Click Here for details]

Ohanami Party at Inokashira Park

We had an Ohanami (viewing cherry blossoms) party at Inokashira Park on Mar 30, 2025 (Sunday). Although the rain on the previous day had made us worry a bit, we were blessed with the sunny day on Sunday and were able to enjoy full bloomed cheery blossoms in the park. [Click Here for detais]

Year 2024

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday, December 1,2024 at PlazaF

The 2024 Christmas Party was successfully held again this year!  

This time, the event took place at Plaza F near Yotsuya Station, where we enjoyed delicious food, wine, and beer in a festive and joyful atmosphere. With over 40 participants, the venue was filled with warm smiles and laughter throughout the evening.  [Click Here for details]

Report on the Japan Minnesota Society Summer Event (Lecture Meeting)

Overview

 Date: 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m., Sunday, 25 August 2024 (Japan time)

 Venue: Hibiya Library and Culture Center Studio Plus in Hibiya Park

 Speaker: Mr Shintaro Sato, Fellow and General Manager, Quantum Research Laboratory, Fujitsu Laboratories, Fujitsu Limited

Title: ‘The future of quantum computing - from the frontline of cutting-edge technology

[Click Here for details]

Day of Service Japan Minnesota Association

Japan Minnesota Association took part in the University of Minnesota Day of Service on Saturday, April 20, 2024. This annual event brings together the University of Minnesota global community of alumni and friends for the opportunity to serve in their community. Japan Minnesota Association has served in several ways such as the street cleaning activity or donations to the food bank, since 2017. This year, we cleaned the open space in front of Umegaoka Station, Odakyu Line in Tokyo. It’s introduced by Mr. Kagiyama, who is himself a Carlson School graduate, and assumes the director of nonprofit corporation called The Association of Making a Beautiful Japan.[Click Here for details]

Year 2023

Japan Minnesota Association                               CHRISTMAS PARTY

Christmas party 2023 was held on December 10 at Le Port Kojimachi.

Many people joined and spent nice time with talking and delicious food. 

We all had an opportunity to participate and enjoy unique Christmas presents.

see  [here].

Early Autumn Party (Japan Minnesota Association)

We had an early autumn event at Studio Plus, Hibiya Library on Sunday 

Sep. 23. This event was done by Dr. Toshihide Arimura, Professor of Waseda University (PhD in Economics from the University of Minnesota)

with a lecture "The Role of Carbon Pricing, Energy and Economy in Decarbonized Society". 

 [Yr 2023 events here]

 

HANAMI LUNCH AND WALK

This year, Japan Minnesota Association had a lunch and Ohanami  walking tour on Sunday, the 2nd of April.

[Yr 2023 events here]

 

DAY OF SERVICE 2023

Japan Minnesota Association participates in Day of Service 2023, working with SECOND HARVEST Japan. Mr. Charles E McJilton, Founder and CEO, is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota. Our volunteer service is carried out as stated below, as same as 2023. Please join. [Yr 2023 events here]

Year 2022

CHRISTMAS Event 2022 of Japan Minnesota Association

The Japan Minnesota association had a special Christmas Gathering. The event was held in both physical and virtual attendance with a special talking topic “Study Abroad”.   Year 2022 events

Outstanding Alumni Network of the Year Award 2022    and Ceremony

Japan Minnesota Association (JMA) has received the "Outstanding Alumni Network of the Year Award" from University of Minnesota Alumni Association. JMA President H. Iwanami accepted the award on Sep. 29

at the the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. 

2022 Summer party

Japan Minnesota Association held On-Line Summer Party on June 18 Sat. 

pls click here

Letter from Minnesota

                        Ellen Mckinney  

Re-igniting the Flames of Intercultural Design Exchange: My Journey through Japan to Bring Back Traditional Textile Practices

                 

In 2007, I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota in Design Housing and Apparel. During my time at “the U,” I participated in a wonderful intercultural design exchange program led by Marilyn Delong at UMN and UMN Graduate ・・

 

(Pls download below pdf)

Ellen_McKinney for JMA.pdf
Adobe Acrobat Document 522.4 KB

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If you are just interested in Minnesota, please
join JMA events and become an E-mail member !
 

  

Everyone who visited, studies, worked or just interested in Minnesota can join our events and talk about Minnesota buautiful spots, fan places, famous companies, colleges and universities. People who wants or paln to visit Minnesota, you might as well contact us. You might get some information from us and tell us your Mineesota visit stories. We all wanted to know and talk about Minnesota during cold winter life, beautiful spring, a little hot summer and yellow leaves fall.

This JMA(Japan Minnesota Association) is supported by all volunteer staff.

If you are interested in JMA, please contact us from "Here".