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Japan-America Society of Tennessee Inc

EIN 62-1797389 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DELIVER HIGH VALUE OUTREACH INITIATIVES THAT SUSTAIN AND GROW RELATIONSHIPS, IGNITE COMMERCE, AND SECURE A VIBRANT BILATERAL ECONOMIC FUTURE FOR TENNESSEE AND JAPAN.

Income
$492,666
Spending
$532,028
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
14.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
4
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$86,009, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $200,774 spent. OTHER Programs include the Tennessee-Japan Forum and Annual Meeting, the Mitsui Lecture Series, Reading Between the Lines virtual book club, and business networking events.Programs focus on different aspects of business, culture, and society as they relate to Japan and Tennessee. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), JAST coordinates the Tennessee delegation to the Southeast-U.S. Japan Association's Annual Conference. JAST is pleased to announce renewed funding opportunities for college-bound high school seniors to earn one of four college scholarships through the Mitsui USA Scholarships in Tennessee Program.
  2. $127,226 spent. NASHVILLE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: THE 2024 NASHVILLE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL WAS HELD IN APRIL AT THE NASHVILLE PUBLIC SQUARE. THE CHEERY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IS A FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC, FAMILY-FRIENDLY CELEBRATION OF SPRING AND JAPANESE CULTURE AND FEATURES TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MUSIC, DANCE, MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS, ARTS & CRAFTS, MERCHANDISE, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, SUMO-SUIT WRESTLING, A COSPLAY CONTEST, A VARIETY OF JAPANESE CUISINE AND SPECIAL FESTIVAL MENUS FROM SOME OF NASHVILLE'S FAVORITE FOOD TRUCKS.
  3. $53,710 spent. MEMPHIS JAPAN FESTIVAL: THE 2024 MEMPHIS JAPAN FESTIVAL WAS HELD IN NOVEMBER AT THE MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN. THE FESTIVAL IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE OF JAPANESE CULTURE. FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MUSIC AND DANCE, MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS, CULTURAL LECTURES, ARTS & CRAFTS, MERCHANDISE, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, SUMO-SUIT WRESTLING, A ROVING JAPANESE CANDYMAN, TOURS OF THE JAPANESE GARDEN AND A VARIETY OF JAPANESE CUISINE FEATURING SPECIAL MENUS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND FOOD TRUCKS.
  4. $27,067 spent. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP FORUM & NETWORKING LUNCHEON: THE 2024 WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP FORUM & NETWORKING LUNCHEON WAS HELD IN THE FALL AT THE FRIST ART MUSEUM. THIS EVENT INCLUDED LUNCH, A TOUR OF THE ART GALLERY, NETWORKING WITH JAPAN-TENNESSEE FOCUSED PROFESSIONALS AND REMARKS FROM FOUR ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS ABOUT WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.