Japan-American Society RI
About
For 43 years, the Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc.® (JASRI), a 501(c)(3) statewide not-for-profit, has fostered culture, education, friendship, and community between the state of Rhode Island and Japan. JASRI draws on ties with Japan that run to our country’s first days: Commodore Matthew C. Perry, born in Newport in 1794, commanded the Black Ships that opened Japan to foreign commerce with the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854. Commodore Perry remains a celebrated figure in Japan to this day.
In 1983, JASRI began to host the Black Ships Festival® in Newport to deepen Newport’s sister-city relationship with Shimoda, a coastal town south of Tokyo; the Festival, a three-day celebration of the arrival of Commodore Perry’s fleet, now has events statewide. The festival has become a mainstay of August in Rhode Island: it offers an outdoor cultural festival in Bristol, a waterfront gala at Salve’s Ochre Court, and private sushi-sake sails on the schooner Aurora from Goat Island. The gala features auction items including work by noted Japanese artists. The 2025 banner auction item was a piece by renowned printmaker Joichi Hoshi.
Lifelong Memories
JASRI attends the Perry Festival in Yokosuka, where Commodore Perry’s ships arrived in 1854. JASRI organizes travel to Tokyo, Yokosuka, and Shimoda for a delegation each year; everyone invariably comes home with rewarding experiences and lifelong memories.
In 2024, JASRI and Roger Williams University began the Commodore Matthew C. Perry Global Initiative, which sends a group of students from participating universities on a cultural tour of Japan.
In 2017, a representative of Emperor Akihito conferred on President Emeritus Spencer Viner the class of Gold Rays with Rosette of the Order of the Rising Sun. In 2025, Governor Dan McKee recognized JASRI and President Emeritus Viner for their importance to the State and its relationship with Japan; Rhode Island Representative Gabe Amo also recognized the organization for its contributions to the enduring friendship, cultural exchange, and shared history between Rhode Island and Japan.
JASRI welcomes anyone to get involved who appreciates Japan’s culture. The organization offers a chance to open lifelong friendships all over the world.
Our Board
Maryanne Brandmeier, President and Treasurer pro tem
Kevin Legein, Vice President pro tem
Jean Nsabumuremyi, Secretary pro temp
Spencer Viner, President Emeritus
Betty Jean Owen
Dr. Patrick Conley
Deborah Miller
Helena Lopes
Nicole Sarault
Blake Meyer
Dr. Deborah Mulligan
Cassidy Methot
Erin Brandmeier
Liem Tran
Kimberlee Johnsen-Smith
Darlene Frank
Emily DeFreitas
Mya MacNeil
JASRI notes with regret the recent passing of former Treasurer Sandra Challel and former Director Dr. Anthony Regine.
