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Japan America Society of the State

EIN 23-7282194 · Mercer Island, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF JAPAN AND WASHINGTON STATE BY PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION.

Income
$594,607
Spending
$550,604
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$76,000, executive director (thru jan 2025)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    38 of 39 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $156,172 spent. THE SMALL BUSINESS RESILIENCY PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR MICROBUSINESS OWNERS THROUGH HANDS-ON ACCOUNTING AND MARKETING CONSULTING, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.
  2. $80,120 spent. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/BUSINESS INCLUDES LECTURES & SEMINARS ON U.S. - JAPAN RELATIONS, BUSINESS PROGRAMS, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.
  3. $7,775 spent. EDUCATION INCLUDES THE JAPAN-IN-SCHOOLS PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO THE PUGET SOUND REGION, VISITING ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND LECTURING THEM ABOUT A TYPICAL DAILY LIFE AND A JAPANESE STUDENT. ALSO, WE HAVE THE AMERICA IN-SCHOOLS (AIS) PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN JAPAN ABOUT THE TYPICAL DAILY LIFE OF AN AMERICAN STUDENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1983.

    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.