Cultures Around The World
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Reeve Memorial Union, 748 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, 54901, United States
Gather together in Oshkosh for an unforgettable evening of rhythm and community. Featuring performers: Oshkosh Taiko and more!

JASWI Bounenkai - Year-end Celebration
2025-12-10 17:00 - 19:30 | Octopi Brewing, 1131 Uniek Drive, Waunakee, WI, 53597, United States
Join us for a year-end “Bounenkai” celebration, co-hosted by the Japan America Society of Wisconsin (JASWI) and the Madison Committee on Foreign Relations (MCFR).
This event will feature guest speakers from Kikkoman, Asahi USA, and Great Dane Japan sharing insider perspectives on Wisconsin’s unique partnerships with Japan and how we can continue building success together.
A variety of dishes will be served for all attendees and drinks will be available by individual purchase. Spots are limited so please RSVP using the button below.

Wa! 和
2025-12-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Forage, Eau Claire, 403 S Barstow St, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, United States
Join us for a special event featuring a Japanese Tea Ceremony and a Taiko Drum Performance!
You will have the opportunity to watch a Tea Ceremony demonstration led by Keiko, the JOI (Japan Outreach Initiative) Coordinator based at UW-Stout.
Enjoy delicious Japanese sweets, and make your own bowl of matcha! Additionally, you can savor treats from Luna Cafe in Eau Claire, which is run by Sasiwan.
The Taiko Drum Performance will be presented by “Peaceful Forest”. Takumi and his three sons will take the stage!
There is limited seating, order your tickets soon to save your spot! Adult tickets are $30, student tickets are $15. Children age 6 and under free.
Adult Tickets: Order Here
Student Tickets: Order Here

Peaceful Forest - Japanese Taiko Performance
2025-12-17 18:30 - 20:00 | First Unitarian Society’s Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI, 53705, United States
Experience the power of Japanese drumming!
Join us for a special 30-minute taiko performance by Peaceful Forest (peacefulforest.org), followed by a Q&A to hear about this family’s inspiring journey and mission.
World champion taiko drummer Takumi Kato and his three children, performing together as Peaceful Forest, are on an extraordinary four‑year journey to share a message of peace and harmony across the United States. Since October 2022, they have been traveling to schools, community centers, festivals, senior homes, and more, with a goal of performing 1,000 shows in all 50 states; they have already completed over 600 performances! Their natural ability to connect with audiences of all ages is the perfect way to fill your evening with warmth, energy, and hope as we come to the end of the year.
Admission is free; donations to support their cause are welcome. Donate in advance or on the day.
Please RSVP to help us manage the venue capacity.
Questions? Contact info@jaswi.org

PROGRAM:
6:30pm – Doors Open
7:00pm – Taiko Performance
7:30pm – Q&A
8:00pm – Event ends

AI Frontiers: U.S.-Japan Innovation and Impact
2026-01-28 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
AI FRONTIERS: U.S.–Japan Innovation and Impact
Hosted by Japan America Society of Chicago – Virtual Access for JASWI Corporate Members
The Japan America Society of Wisconsin (JASWI) is pleased to invite our corporate members to join virtually for AI FRONTIERS: U.S.–Japan Innovation and Impact, a special program organized by the Japan America Society of Chicago. This event will bring together leaders from Japan and the U.S. to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing, automotive engineering, and the defense sector.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 12:30–2:00 p.m. (CT), an expert panel will examine how predictive analytics and data-driven technologies are reshaping performance, security, and global competitiveness, offering insights at the forefront of U.S.-Japan innovation.
Featured Speakers:
Kazuhiro (Kazu) Gomi, President & CEO, NTT Research
Takuno (Tak) Nishimura, Director of Global Partnerships, CADDi
Kyle T. Nakamoto, Ph.D., Senior Lead AI Engineer, Army Group, Booz Allen Hamilton
Michael Foster, Moderator
JAS Chicago will host this program in person and JASWI corporate members are invited to participate virtually via Zoom. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
This program is supported by a grant from the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) with support from the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.
Spots for virtual participants are limited. Please register via this Google form to receive your livestream link for joining the event.
For questions regarding this event please contact: info@jaswi.org

Noh in Dialogue: Music and Tradition in Japanese Performing Arts
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:30
Discover the world of Noh (能), the oldest surviving form of Japanese theater. This program explores Noh’s refined masks, stylized movement, distinctive stage, and evocative musical traditions. The presentation places Noh in conversation with later classical forms such as Kabuki (歌舞伎) and Bunraku (文楽), highlighting Japan’s unique aesthetic heritage.
Presenter:Dr. Mariko AnnoAssociate Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo
Dr. Anno is a bilingual Japanese American scholar specializing in ethnomusicology. Her work examines traditional Japanese performing arts, including Noh and nohkan flute performance. She holds advanced degrees from Tokyo University of the Arts and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the author of Piercing the Structure of Tradition: Flute Performance, Continuity, and Freedom in the Music of Noh (Cornell University Press).
Additional Information:Open to the public. All are welcome.
Date: March 25, 2026Time: Lecture 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM; Reception 7:30-8:30 PM. Doors open from 5:30 PMLocation: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Haas Fine Arts Center, Room 101Address: 121 Water St., Eau Claire, WI 53703Admission: Free
Image credit: Noh Mask by Kitazawa Hideta Image © 2025 Kitazawa Sohta

Kimono: Garment, Canvas, and Artistic Muse
2026-04-18 - 2026-07-05 | Trout Museum of Art, 325 E. College Ave, Appleton, WI, 54911, United States
The Trout Museum of Art is exhibiting Kimono: Garment, Canvas, and Artistic Muse, exploring kimono as a garment in Japanese history and culture.
Professor Akimi Adler, Adjunct Assistant Professor Japanese at Lawrence University, will give a lecture on June 6th at 1:00pm.
The museum entrance fee is waived for this year, courtesy of the Boldt Family.

UW-Japan Life Sciences Forum
2026-04-22 09:00 - 17:00 | UW-Madison Fluno Center, 601 University Ave, 8th Floor, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Join U.S. and Japanese leaders in industry, academia, and government at the UW–Japan Life Sciences Forum. This event will showcase regional biotech strengths and create opportunities for companies and academics with aligned interests to connect.
Hosted by the Japan America Society of Wisconsin (JASWI) in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), Office of Business Engagement (OBE), and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the forum will highlight Wisconsin’s strengths in biotechnology, translational research, and human health innovation.
Participants can expect a full-day program including:

Keynote remarks from regional and international partners
Presentations showcasing UW–Madison research and innovation
Insights into commercialization initiatives such as The Isthmus Project
Networking lunch with faculty, researchers, and industry representatives
Guided campus tours of the Babcock Dairy Plant, and select facilities within Biochemistry and Genetics Departments
The day will conclude with informal networking and refreshments.

This event is designed for:

U.S. and Japanese Life Sciences companies
University faculty, researchers, and graduate students in Life Sciences fields
Organizations interested in U.S.–Japan research collaboration and cross-cultural business

Registration
Cost: $100 per person (student rate = $35). This admission includes:

Access to all presentations and tours
Networking lunch
Refreshments and closing reception

A use the registration icon below to secure your spot at this event:

Key Details:
Date: April 22nd, 2026Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pmLocation: University of Wisconsin–Madison Fluno CenterAddress: 601 University Ave 8th Floor, Madison, WI 53715Admission: $100
For questions, please contact JASWI Executive Director, Kerry Clark – Kerry.Clark@jaswi.org

Japanese Culture Night – Oshkosh Taiko Performance
2026-05-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Reeve Memorial Union, 748 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, 54901, United States
Join University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Club Nippon Friday, May 8th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Reeve Union Room 202 (748 Algoma Blvd) for an evening celebrating Japanese culture.
Guests will experience dynamic taiko drum performances by Oshkosh Taiko, along with a demonstration of Bon Odori (盆踊り), a traditional Japanese dance with over 500 years of history.
Freshly prepared rice and miso soup will also be served.
This event offers a unique opportunity to enjoy live music, traditional performance, and cultural exchange.

Frank Lloyd Wright Meeting House Heritage Weekend
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-07 | First Unitarian Society’s Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI, 53705, United States
The Friends of the Meeting House invites you to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the First Unitarian Society Meeting House during a series of events the weekend of June 5-7. In addition to tours and lectures, a free open house will be held on Sunday, June 7 from 1-4pm. The iconic national landmark was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright who selected its loggia to hang the beloved Hiroshige prints he donated to the Society (12 or the 15 prints are displayed). Wright specified how they were to be hung: Heading down the hall they are all vertical prints and heading back to the auditorium they are horizontal in shape.

Takarazuka Dinner Show
2026-07-11 17:00 - 21:00 | The Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, 53233
The Takarazuka Dinner Show features a historic performance by the legendary Takarazuka Revue in their special visit from Japan. The evening includes a curated full-course dinner alongside performances from the Ballet Folklorico Xanharati, United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee, and Nefetari African Dance Company.

Kikkoman Cookout Summer Festival
2026-07-18 13:00 - 17:00 | Rotary Park, Jefferson, 301 S Gardner Ave, Jefferson, 53549
JASWI is partnering with Kikkoman Foods, Inc. and the City of Jefferson again this year to bring you the 2026 Kikkoman Cookout! Last year attracted over 600 people to the inaugural event and we’re excited to build on that success with this year’s program.
You can enjoy sample dishes prepared by local chefs showcasing a variety of Kikkoman sauces and flavors, delicious beverages from Asahi Beer USA, as well as traditional Japanese summer festival activities and performances. The event will combine the best of Japanese food, cultural exchange, and community building.
More details to come – check out last year’s highlights!
