Greg Beck’s first time trying a certain alcoholic beverage wasn’t anything to write home about. But one event devoted to that indelible part of Japanese culture turned out to be a memorable occasion that helped change his life — the Saijō Sake Festival in Hiroshima Prefecture.

USJETAA is looking for writers interested in submitting abstracts to be considered for our 2026-27 cycle of JETs on Japan publications. This is a quarterly publication with articles that focus on JET perspectives of the US-Japan relationship. We encourage JET alumni to draw upon their work in different fields to contribute to a deeper understanding of US-Japan relations, while also elevating the visibility of exceptional alumni.

Join us on Saturday, May 16 at 6:00 PM ET for May’s Ouchigohan cooking class, where we’ll be making kei-chan yaki, rice with spring peas, and a strawberry matcha latte!

Exclusively for JETAA chapter leadership: Join this professional development workshop on Sun, May 17th. Strengthen communication & alignment within your chapter. Identify what’s slowing your team down. Exchange resources and build bridges with other chapters. Leave with strategies & support to grow your chapter’s impact.

Join us on Friday, May 8 at 8:00 PM ET to read a short story by Oda Sakunosuke titled 蚊帳 (Mosquito Net).

Sign up to become a JET Senpai Mentor! Help this year’s cohort of departing JETs prepare for their upcoming JET adventure. As a mentor, you'll connect with them on Discord and join twice-monthly Hanashi-kai sessions to offer your guidance. Be the mentor you wish you had and support the next generation of JETs!

Our Photo of the Month for April comes from Diana Leanos (Gunma, 2024-Present). 

Celebrate spring on Saturday, April 25th at 5:00 PM ET by learning how to make Salmon Takikomi Gohan, Miso Broccolini, and Mitarashi Dango.