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Southeast Japanese School

EIN 23-7011600 · Norwalk, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUTHEAST JAPANESE SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS IN THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE. OUR GOAL IS TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO SUCCESSFULLY FUNCTION IN A JAPANESE-SPEAKING ENVIRONMENT AND TO FOSTER AN APPRECIATION OF THE JAPANESE CULTURE.

Income
$845,940
Spending
$653,277
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
20.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
19
Volunteers
1,245

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $576,742 spent. PROVIDING JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND RELATED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. JAPANESE SCHOOL IS HELD EVERY SATURDAY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH JULY WITH CULTURAL ACTIVITIES MONTHLY. THE SCHOOL INCLUDES A KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE 5 YEARS OLD UP TO ADULT CLASSES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES ALL MODALITIES OF THE LANGUAGE, INCLUDING LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING, WRITING AND CULTURE. MONTHLY CULTURAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDES SPORTS EVENTS, MOCHI MAKING, DOLL FESTIVAL, MOCHITASTING, SPEECH PROGRAM, CHILDREN'S DAY FESTIVAL, STAR FESTIVAL AND JAPANESE DANCE.YOUTH SPORTS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS TO LEARN AND DEVELOP SPORTSMANSHIP,INTEGRITY, CHARACTER, SOCIAL SKILLS AND LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS.MARTIAL ARTS TEACHES DESCIPLINE, INTEGRITY, RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND SELF CONFIDENCE IN ALL ITS STUDENTS WITH THE MISSION OF INSTILLING A SENSE OF SELF WORTH THAT WILL SERVE THEM WELL IN THEIR FUTURE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1963.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.