Organizations at the University of Michigan:

Animania - The University of Michigan Japanese animation club.

Asia Library - The specialized branch of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library dealing with Asian literature.

Center for International and Comparative Law - central clearinghouse for international activities taking place at the Law School and around the University and provides direction and support to faculty and student initiatives.

Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji Stroke Order Practice on the Web - Created by Yasuhiro Omoto at the University of Michigan, this web page allows one to practice writing Japanese characters on the internet, independent of computer platform, character fonts, and so forth. Along with the stroke order for each character, the web page also plays the correct sound of pronunciation.

Japan Family Health Program - Japanese language medical services for individuals and families in the surrounding community.

Japan Student Association - The student group for those at U-M interested in Japan.

Japan Technology Management Program - The program at U-M that was established to assist American industry to learn from Japanese approaches to the management of technology.

Japanese Language Program - The Japanese language program homepage within the department of Asian Languages and Cultures.

Mitsui Life Financial Research Center - encourages and supports academic research in the financial markets of Pacific-Basin countries, with a focus on Asia and the U.S.

The Newsletter of East Asian Art & Archaeology - A non-profit newsletter publication of U-M that covers East Asian Art and Archaeology. Published three times a year.

Office of International Programs - oversee programs with Japanese universities such as, Kyushu University, Japan Center for Michigan Universities, Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies, etc.

Stearns Collection - over 2500 pieces of historical and contempory musical instruments from around the world.

Summer Language Institute – For students interested in studying Japanese at U-M throughout the summer.

University of Michigan Kendo Club - Established in 2002, this club provides an opportunity for University of Michigan students and the community to learn and practice Kendo.

University of Michigan Museum of Art - especially strong in Edo period paintings and tea wares.

ORGANIZATIONS IN DETROIT AND GREATER MICHIGAN:

Ann Arbor Bonsai Society - For those interested in the popular hobby of bonsai growing.

Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85 - Located in Southfield, MI, this group promotes the art of Japanese flower arranging through demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and public exhibitions.

Japan-America Society - With offices throughout the United States, the group has a Detroit-Windsor chapter. This link is to a country-wide calendar of events.

Japan Business Society of Detroit - activities directed at helping businesses and individuals identify and maximize opportunities for the benefit of their companies' operation in the Detroit market. The JBSD Foundation grants scholarships to students studying in Japan, and provides financial support to community organizations in the areas of education and research.

Japan School of Detroit - K-12 school focusing on Japanese language and culture for area students.

Japanese Consulate General of Detroit - The homepage of the Consulate General in Detroit. Available in Japanese language and English.

Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House - Located in Saginaw, Michigan, the Tea House is one of only a handful of authentic Japanese tea houses in the United States, and is complete with a Japanese garden. Guests may make reservations to attend a tea ceremony, led by practitioners trained in chanoyu (the art of tea) and wearing traditional Japanese garb. The center also offers classes for all ages in Japanese calligraphy, ikebana, origami, bonsai, and the tea ceremony. For more information, please contact the center at 527 Ezra Rust Drive, Saginaw, MI, 48601; Tel: 517.759.1648, or visit their web page.

Other U.S.-Based Organizations:

Asian Reading Room - The Asian Reading Room is the primary public access point for researchers seeking to use the Asian collections of the Library of Congress in the many languages of Asia. The reading room covers the area from the South Asian subcontinent and Southeast Asia to China, Japan, and Korea. With almost 2 million books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, and electronic media, the collections are the most comprehensive sources of Asian language materials outside of Asia. Area Specialists and Reference Librarians provide in-depth reference assistance on questions concerning Asia. Western language materials about Asia are part of the general collection but can be requested in either the Asian Reading Room or the Main Reading Room.

Association for Asian Studies - The professional organization of scholars and others interested in Asia. Includes Asian Studies Newsletter, job listings, publications, and information on the annual meeting.

Asia Society - an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States through art exhibitions and performances, films, lectures, seminars and conferences, publications and assistance to the media, and materials and programs for students and teachers.

Council on East Asian Libraries - Among the services the CEAL provides are a) serve as a faculty-librarians' forum for the discussion of East Asian library problems of common concern; (b) formulate programs for the development of East Asian library resources, bibliographic controls, and access; and (c) improve inter-library and international cooperation in East Asian library development and services.

East Asian Libraries Cooperative - The project's goal is to support research on East Asia by creating electronic resources and developing web-based information services through cooperation among librarians, scholars, and researchers, and by mirroring resources developed elsewhere to facilitate access.

Gateway Japan - A clearing house of information about East Asia and Japan.

H-Japan - H-NET (Humanities Online) Discussion List for Japanese Studies.

Japan Document Center - The Japan Documentation Center (JDC) provides up-to-the-minute information on Japan in a wide range of public policy and research fields, including legislation, judicial decisions, economics, commerce and industry, the environment, politics, social conditions, and national defense. Headquartered at the Library of Congress, JDC is a joint undertaking between the Library and the Center for Global Partnership of the Japan Foundation.

Japan Foundation - promotes the exchange of culture and the arts as well as overseas Japanese language and Japanese studies education.

Japan Society - private, nonprofit, nonpolitical institution offering programs in the arts, business, education and public affairs.

Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission - independent federal agency that provides support for training and information to help prepare Americans to better meet the challenges and opportunities in the US-Japan relationship through grant programs for institutions.

JETRO Chicago - The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relationships between Japan and other nations. JETRO Chicago coordinates activities for the Midwest United States, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

National Association of Japan-America Societies - offers educational, cultural and business programs about Japan and U.S.-Japan relations to the general public through its member Japan and Japan-America Societies.

Online Resources for Japanese Studies

Portal to Asian Internet Resourcs (PAIR)

United States - Japan Foundation - Provides information on grants, grantees and various links to Japan-US reltated information.

Organizations in Japan:

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishieries - The Ministry in Japan that administers policy directed towards agricultural products.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport - The Ministry that regulates construction and urban development.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology - Contains various information on educational resources in Japan, including many links to Japanese Universities.

Ministry of Health and Welfare - Administers programs such as welfare, public assistance, medical insurance, and controls the quality control system for medical supplies in Japan.

Ministry of Home Affairs - Controls the tax system in Japan and oversees the ambulance, fire, police, and education services.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry - Contains information on trade in Japan as well as links to the Patent Office in Japan and other sites.

Ministry of Labor - Oversees employment and working conditions in Japan.

Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications - Oversees Japan's mail and phone services.