American Association of Teachers of Japanese

American Association of Teachers of Japanese advances Japanese language education by serving teachers, researchers, and related professionals across the United States. Founded in 1961, the association operates as a national professional organization focused on improving the teaching and learning of Japanese at elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Its work connects classroom practice, curriculum development, assessment, and professional exchange for educators who teach Japanese in a wide range of institutional settings.

AATJ’s programs include publications, conferences, teacher recognition, and student opportunities tied directly to Japanese language study. The association publishes the Journal of Japanese Language Teaching and the Japanese Language and Literature journal, giving the field venues for pedagogy and scholarship. It also organizes an annual conference and administers the National Japanese Exam, a large-scale assessment program for secondary school students in the United States. Through that exam program, students can earn recognition and become eligible for study opportunities in Japan, including the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission’s summer study initiative. AATJ also runs the Bridging Project scholarship program, which supports American undergraduates studying abroad in Japan.