The origin of the America-Japan Society goes back to World War I when U.S.-Japan relations were very tense because of issues with China. To prevent the deterioration of bilateral ties, Japanese intellectuals who were interested in maintaining friendly relations met with Americans living in Tokyo with the intent of forming a private organization.

In April 13, 1917, the America-Japan Society was founded. Mr. Kentaro Kaneko, the first Japanese graduate of Harvard and author of the Meiji Constitution, was chosen as the Society’s first president. Since then, the society has been an indispensable vehicle for bilateral exchange between the two nations.

Despite turmoil and stormy periods during the Pacific War, the Society continued the efforts started by its founders. Today, the Society is the main forum for U.S.-Japan educational, cultural and public affairs activities in Tokyo. The network of America-Japan Societies in both countries contributes to host programs, designed to maintain and build trust between the people of both nations.