What Is the JNHS?

The Japanese National Honor Society – College Chapter (JNHS–CC) recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in the study of the Japanese language. The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) is pleased to assist teachers with a way to recognize their outstanding students, to maintain high standards in Japanese language education, and to promote activities that give students ways to use their language skills on their campuses and in their communities.

Students who are nominated for membership receive Certificates of Excellence and red-and-white cords to wear at graduation, and are recognized on the AATJ website and in its newsletter.

Teachers can personalize this press release to announce their students’ awards to school and district administrators or the local press.

JNHS Inductees from Washington and Lee University

APPLICATIONS FOR JNHS MEMBERSHIP ARE ACCEPTED IN THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS.

Academic criteria for student membership in JNHS–CC are as follows:

  • For students at 4-year institutions: completion of 5 semester- or 7 quarter- courses of Japanese language study (or their equivalent) at the college undergraduate level. All 5 semester courses or 7 quarter courses must be language study taken for a grade (as opposed to audit or pass-fail). Transfer credits from post-secondary institutions other than the institution from which the student will receive the undergraduate degree may count toward these credit requirements up to a maximum of 2 semester courses or 3 quarter courses (or their equivalent);
  • For students at 2-year colleges: completion of 3 semester- or 5 quarter- courses of Japanese language study (or their equivalent) at the college undergraduate level. These courses must be taken at the same institution, and must be language study taken for a grade (as opposed to audit or pass-fail);
  • a GPA of 3.5 in Japanese language courses; and
  • an overall GPA of 3.0.

Four-year college students should be nominated for membership when they are in the last semester/quarter before graduating. Students at 2-year colleges should be nominated for membership when they are in the fourth semester or sixth quarter of Japanese language study.

In order to form a chapter of JNHS–CC and nominate students for membership and recognition, instructors must be members for the current year of AATJ. Sponsoring instructors then file an application together with a list of students and the applicable fee: a $25 chapter fee per academic year, and $20 per nominated student. The fee includes postage and handling. You can submit your application by postal mail together with a check; or you can scan the application form with your students’ names and send it by email to jnhs@aatj.org and then pay the fee online in the online AATJ Store.

–– Download a flyer **in Japanese** with more details about JNHS-CC ––

–– Download a flyer in English with more details about JNHS-CC ––

The application form comes in two formats:

JNHS Cord
Once the application and list of names has been received, a packet including certificates for the students who are to be honored, red and white cords that can be worn at graduation ceremonies, and suggested guidelines for a recognition ceremony will be sent to the instructor.

Please allow at least four weeks for the processing of certificates.

List of 2022-2023 JNHS CC Inductees
List of 2021-2022 JNHS CC Inductees
List of 2020-2021 JNHS CC Inductees
List of 2019-2020 JNHS CC Inductees
List of 2018-2019 JNHS CC Inductees
List of 2017-2018 JNHS-CC Inductees
List of 2016-2017 JNHS-CC Inductees
List of 2015-2016 JNHS-CC Inductees
List of 2014-2015 JNHS-CC Inductees
List of 2013-2014 JNHS-CC Inductees
List of 2012-2013 JNHS-CC Inductees

List of 2011-2012 JNHS-CC Inductees

For more information, please contact the AATJ office at jnhs@aatj.org