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okent@jaswdc.org
For Immediate Release
The 31st National Japan Bowl returns in person on April 13-14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) is excited to announce that the 31st National Japan Bowl competition will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 13-14, 2023, at the University of Maryland College Park Campus.
For the past 31 years, JASWDC has organized the Japan Bowl to recognize and encourage students across the United States who have chosen Japanese as their foreign language. The National Japan Bowl, America’s only nationwide Japanese-language competition, is vital for inspiring students and reinforcing their teachers’ and school districts’ efforts and investments.
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.
After three years of successful online competitions, the National Japan Bowl returns to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. The Society looks forward to welcoming approximately 200 students and teachers from around the country to participate in the two-day competition.
The Championship Rounds and Closing Ceremony will be live-streamed from 3- 6:30 PM EST on Friday, April 14, on the JASWDC YouTube channel. Viewers can expect appearances from Japan Bowl Honorary Patron Her Royal Highness Princess Takamado and other Japan Bowl supporters alongside surprise VIP guests to be announced closer to the date.
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC has supported the creation of twenty regional Japan Bowl competitions across America and worldwide, giving the program a global impact.
The National Japan Bowl is proud to be a “participating event” of Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Participating Schools
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, VA
Liceo Mexicano Japones, MX
Ocean Lakes High School, VA
Eastern High School, KY
Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon High School, CT
Lynbrook High School, CA
Cupertino High School, CA
Lake Braddock Secondary School, VA
Paint Branch High School, MD
St John’s School, GU
Townsend Harris High School, NY
Maggie L Walker Governor’s School, VA
Stuyvesant High School, NY
The Woodlands High School, TX Stevenson School, CA
Langley High School, VA
Hayfield Secondary School, VA
Montgomery Blair High School, MD
Gretchen Whitney High School, CA
Summary of the Event
The Japan Bowl is not just a challenging and fun competition; it also allows students to experience Japanese culture firsthand and meet other students who share their interest in Japan and its language.
Competitors are divided into three levels during the competition based on how long they have studied Japanese. Each school sends a team of two to three students to compete at each level. Over two days, teams tackle 90 questions and a conversation round. Finally, the top three teams from each level will face off in the championship rounds to determine who will be crowned this year’s national champions.
Students will enjoy live workshops between rounds, including origami, tea ceremony, and Japanese cooking demonstrations. Students and teachers can also network with each other and various Japanese cultural organizations, universities, and sponsors to learn more about study abroad programs and Japanese language and cultural opportunities outside the classroom.
The National Japan Bowl’s top winners travel to Japan for a week of cultural experiences with host families and Japanese students and an audience with dignitaries, including Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, the National Japan Bowl’s honorary patron.
Contact Information
For more information about the National Japan Bowl, contact Elece Smith at japanbowl@jaswdc.org. For media access and press coverage of the event, contact Olivia Kent at okent@jaswdc.org.
About the Japan-America Society of Washington DC
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501(c)(3) educational and cultural non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the U.S. at the grassroots public diplomacy level. JASWDC’s programming aims to bring Japanese and American people closer together in the Nation’s Capital area.
About the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the world’s great celebrations of spring. The 2023 Festival, March 20-April 16, includes four weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Leadership Circle Sponsors for the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival are Events DC and Amazon. Add the 2023 Festival dates and signature event dates to your calendar, and visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information. Get the latest updates via email, and be sure to follow the Festival on Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Instagram (@CherryBlossFest), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest) and YouTube (@CherryBlossFest).
