The Association of  Teachers of Japanese (ATJ) is an international, non-profit, non-political organization of scholars, teachers, and students of Japanese language, literature, and linguistics, which works to promote academic work in the field and to broaden and deepen knowledge and appreciation of Japan and its culture.

Since its foundation in 1963, ATJ has given scholars the opportunity to exchange academic and professional views, results of research, and news of the field. It holds an annual meeting in conjunction with the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) and also cooperates with its sister organization, the National Council of Japanese Language Teachers, in presenting panels at the annual meeting of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). It publishes Japanese Language and Literature: Journal of the Association of Teachers of Japanese twice each year and the ATJ Newsletter four times annually.

In recent years, with the importance of Japan in the world economy and the worldwide influence of its media and popular culture, the importance of study of Japanese language, literature, and culture has been increasingly recognized. As more schools, colleges, and universities offer programs of study in these areas, the ATJ has assumed an increasingly important role through its conventions, its services and activities in public affairs, involvement in policy decisions, and exchange of communications on up-to-date developments in academic and cultural areas. There are at present approximately 900 members of the ATJ (plus an additional 600 members of NCJLT), representing every state as well as Canada, Australia, Europe, and Japan, and every level of instruction and area of study. To find out about becoming a member, click here.

ATJ's ongoing projects include professional development for teachers, research and discussion of Japanese-language teaching methods and materials, support for the AP Japanese Language and Culture Program and other new initiatives for students, and evaluating textbooks and other teaching materials. To find out what's new and see our reviews of teaching materials, go to Professional Development.

As part of a multi-organizational effort to encourage more students to study in Japan during their college years, ATJ has established a clearinghouse to collect and distribute information on study-abroad programs in North America and international student programs at Japanese universities. It also administers the Bridging Scholarship program, which has supported almost 1,000 students studying abroad in Japan since 1999. For more information on this project, click on Study Abroad.

Teachers of Japanese will want to visit ATJ's Jobline, with up-to-date announcements of positions in the Japan studies field.

For other sites related to Japanese education, culture, and language, go to Japan Information.