Japan Seattle ABC Network is a nonprofit connecting people across borders through Academics, Business, and Culture — fostering friendships, growth, and opportunity between two great cities.
"To cultivate lasting connections between Seattle and Japan by empowering individuals through academic opportunity, business collaboration, and cultural exchange."
At Japan Seattle ABC Network, we believe that meaningful relationships are the foundation of everything — professional growth, cultural understanding, and lifelong friendship. Our programs create the spaces and pathways where those relationships are born: between Japanese students discovering Seattle, professionals exploring cross-border careers, and community members who simply want to share in something larger than themselves.
As a nonprofit organization based in Redmond, WA, we operate across three pillars — Academic Support, Business Engagement, and Cultural Initiative — each designed to open doors and build bridges between Japan and the Pacific Northwest.
Japan Seattle ABC Network was born out of a simple observation: Japanese students arriving in Seattle faced the same challenges decade after decade — language barriers, cultural distance, and limited professional networks. Meanwhile, Seattle-area professionals with ties to Japan had no central hub to connect, collaborate, or give back.
We started small — a handful of people who believed a community organization could change that. Through events, mentorships, and partnerships, our network grew from a grassroots idea into an active nonprofit with hundreds of community members across Seattle and Japan.
Today, our programs span university seminars in Japan, company visits in the Pacific Northwest, language exchanges, cultural festivals, and ongoing mentorship — all united by a shared belief in the power of human connection across cultures.
Every program we run falls under one of three pillars, each addressing a distinct need in our community while pointing toward the same goal: deeper Japan–Seattle connection.
We connect Japanese students and scholars with Seattle's academic and professional ecosystem — through seminars led by industry experts, company visits, university exchange programs, and one-on-one mentorship both online and in person.
We bridge entrepreneurs, professionals, and organizations across Japan and the Pacific Northwest — creating partnership opportunities, fostering cross-border business relationships, and supporting professionals navigating both markets.
From language exchanges and storytelling nights to Japanese cultural experiences and community gatherings, our Cultural Initiative brings people together to celebrate and deepen cross-cultural friendship and understanding.
These are the principles we bring to every event, every mentorship, and every conversation we have as a community.
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We create spaces for genuine human connection across cultures.
We believe in lifelong learning — academic, professional, and cultural — as the cornerstone of personal growth.
We act locally in Seattle and Japan while thinking globally — nurturing a generation of internationally minded citizens.
We celebrate both Japanese and American cultures with genuine curiosity, humility, and deep respect.
Our community welcomes everyone — regardless of background — who shares a passion for Japan–Seattle connection.
The people behind Japan Seattle ABC Network are volunteers, professionals, and community advocates who give their time to make cross-cultural connection possible.
Interested in joining our team? Get in touch — we welcome volunteers and committee members.
Whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious about Japan–Seattle connection, there's a place for you here.