Announcements

A message from our PTA president 

 through Thursday, come be impressed by the artistic talent of our high schoolers on stage during their one-act play performances. Common Ground, directed by our own Meredith Michels ’27 and Keito Fukuma ’26, is sure to inspire you.

As Warren Apel, ASIJ Director of Technology, reminded last week, let’s try to put a brake on the magnetic pull of screens — at least for this one week. ASIJ’s “Tech Intentional Week” is another chance to pause, reflect, and enjoy the moment without our minds being hijacked by phones, screens, or even newsletters.

So if this newsletter goes unnoticed because you don’t even know where your phone is — congratulations, you’ve nailed it! Reward yourself with a good cup of coffee and a cozy chat or mentally list 5 wonderful things about your own kids. Contrary to our usual impulse to rush through our to-do-list ASAP, a mindful slow moment might be exactly what we need to stay focused, relaxed, and inspired. Grab that moment! And maybe a snack!

Warm regards,

Indre Mackeviciute
On behalf of the ASIJ PTA Board

HS One Act Play, Common Ground - Feb 3, 4, 5

Nosey baristas, dysfunctional friendships, and a couple of existential crises await you in this year’s HS One Act Play, Common Ground, directed by Meredith Michels ’27 and assistant director Keito Fukuma ’26. In this student-led production, the cast and crew have brought their maximum effort and distinctive talents together to deliver a phenomenal show for the audience. Showtimes are today, Feb 3rd at 3:30 PM, Feb 4th at 5:00 PM, and Feb 5th at 5:00 PM in the ASIJ Black Box theatre.

Tickets are complimentary, so reserve your seat now! Concessions available - provided by FOFA parent volunteers.

FOFA Talent Spotlight

It’s your time to shine! The FOFA Talent Spotlight is back, and we invite all ASIJ students to share their talents on stage. This event celebrates creativity across our school community and welcomes students of all experience levels.Online auditions for the 2025–26 FOFA Talent Spotlight are now open through Feb 6Students from all grades are encouraged to apply in a wide range of performing arts categories, including instrumental performance, voice, dance, stand-up comedy, martial arts, poetry reading, magic, short film and visual art, MC hosting, and more.

Audition forms for ELC & ES (performing time up to 3 minutes)

Audition forms for MS & HS (performing time up to 5 minutes)

This live performance event will take place March 14, 1PM–4PM at the ASIJ Theater. Join us in cheering on our talented ASIJ students as they take the stage.

If you have any questions, please contact us the FOFA Talent Spotlight Committee 2025–26 at talentspotlight@pta.asij.ac.jp. 

Do you want to know your awesome PTA board members? Here’s the full column from the ‘Get Acquainted with Our PTA Board Members’ series!

Follow ASIJ PTA on Instagram – @asij.pta

Community Gratitude 

Our ASIJ community is the best around! We want to honor our unsung heroes by creating space in our PTA weekly emails to recognize members of our community who have let their Mustang Spirit shine bright. Each week, we will highlight those who you have nominated in this space. You may leave an anonymous message here.

• Kudos to all of our divisional social coordinators Massimo, Jamie, Lisa and Emi for organizing such welcoming morning coffee events and bringing parents together for laughs, conversation, and some truly amazing snacks. Why have breakfast alone when you can share it with fellow parents — especially when someone else might have baked something delicious?

• Thank you Alberto, Amy, June, Kimiyo, Kristen, Lisa, Nakaba, Nancy, Rika, Vibhu, Yoko, and Yuho for leading the Parent-led Clubs in December and January. You held a total of 27 events and brought together over 170 parents! We greatly appreciate your time, effort, and expertise!

Village Connection 

February 12 – TOKYO MIDDLE (Shibuya / Daikanyama / Yoyogi / Ebisu / Nakameguro)

Japanese Calligraphy & Matcha

Location: La Tour Daikanyama Event Space
Time: 10AM–12:30PM

Enjoy a quiet and mindful morning practicing Japanese calligraphy, followed by a relaxing cup of matcha. This is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, learn something new, and connect with fellow community members.Register here.

• Price: ¥4,500 (Materials included. Cash only)

• Sign-up deadline: Feb 9

• Please note: Late cancellations or no-shows will be charged to your Gold Card.

February 14 – TOKYO WEST (Chofu, Kichijoji, Mitaka)

Visit Cat Café “Temari no Oshiro”

Location: 〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijōji Honchō, 2-chōme−33−2 スペース Ａ

Time: From 10AM

Take a break and enjoy a fun, lighthearted visit to a local cat café, a uniquely cute experience and a lovely way to connect in a relaxed setting.

https://temarinooshiro.com/ No sign-up required — just join us!

February 17 – TOKYO EAST (Roppongi / Azabujuban / Shirokanedai / Minato)

Mizuhiki Workshop (Washi Paper Art)

Location: Azabu Gardens Lounge

Time: 10AM–12:30PM

Give mizuhiki a try — mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese decorative art made by tying and weaving fine cords crafted from washi paper. You’ll have the chance to create your own keychain or earrings while enjoying time with fellow community members.Register here.

• Price: ¥4,500 (Materials included. Cash only)

• Sign-up deadline: February 11

Please note: Late cancellations or no-shows will be charged to your Gold Card.

Volunteer Request

Senior Lunch - Feb 18

Calling all Senior Parents! Please join us for a Lunar New Year themed Senior Lunch. There will be food, bubble tea, dessert, photo booth, and other fun activities!

Please sign up here to help contribute your time and/or dessert donations. Coordinators for this lunch are Jinly Zee, Doris Chen, and Naomi (Wanying) Nagayumi. You can contact them and/or our Senior Activities Coordinators Lalaka Fukuma and Atsuko Chiyoda at senioractivities@pta.asij.ac.jp.

Divisional Events

MS Coffee and MS Mustang Connection (Combined!)- Feb 12

To make life simpler (and spark great conversation), we’ve combined our PTA Winter Coffee Social (originally planned on Feb 4) with the upcoming Mustang Connection Coffee—join us for a special Middle School Mustang Connection led by learning experts. Learn how we help students build key skills like organization, focus, and flexibility—and how you can reinforce these strategies at home. We’ll begin with the presentation from MS Learning Support, followed by a relaxed Social Hour. Please sign up to RSVP.

HS Winter Sports Banquet - Feb 24

Join us in celebrating the end of the High School Winter Sports Season! The banquet will kick off with a light meal for athletes and coaches in the cafeteria from 3–3:30PM. Parents are warmly invited to join the award ceremony from 3:40–4:25PM, followed by team meetings starting at 4:30PM.We’re also looking for parent volunteers to help between 1:45–3:40PM — your support makes all the difference! Please sign up HERE.

ELC Mid-Year Parent Social - Feb 27 at 7:30PM

Mingle with other ELC parents! It is sure to be an enjoyable evening with dinner and free flow drinks at

Cedar the Chop House & Bar in Roppongi. Don't miss it! Space is limited, sign up now (¥7,500/person)! Questions? Contact Izumi, Sayumi, and Cindy at ELCSocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

HS Winter Dance

This event is unfortunately cancelled. Thanks to the parents that signed up to help!

Parent-Led Clubs

Are you new to ASIJ or to Tokyo, or maybe a returning parent? Do you have hobbies or interests that you would like to share with the ASIJ community? We encourage you to establish a new club. The PTA will support you in starting, managing and promoting the club. If you have a club idea or questions, please contact Parent-led Clubs Chair, Jennifer Min at parentledclubs@pta.asij.ac.jp. 

View the full list of parent-led clubs on our website, including current photos. 

Flower Arranging Club - Feb 5 at 10AM (Azabu Gardens West)

This event is closed but check the sign up for the next event. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, our skilled florists and ASIJ parents Nakaba and Rika will be with you to nurture your love for blooms. The cost is ¥6,500/person (cash) including flowers and materials.

Interschool Trivia Night Club - Feb 5 at 7:15PM (Hobgoblin, Roppongi)

Sign up to join the Interschool Trivia Night Club! Meet up with friends from ASIJ and make new friends with other local Tokyo school parents from BST, TIS, NIS and ISSH. The event will be held at Hobgoblin in Roppongi from 7:15-9:30PM. The event is free but please feel free to buy a snack or drink at the venue.

Cultural Connections - Feb 12 at 10AM (Azabu Gardens West)

This event is full but check the sign up

for any cancellations or to join the waitlist. Join a rare opportunity to experience authentic Kintsugi, practiced in the traditional way since the Muromachi period (14th century). In this special workshop, we will take part in the final stage of the process, guided by an experienced Kintsugi craftswoman. Participants will learn how to apply real lacquer and gold, and gain insight into this uniquely Japanese philosophy of honoring and enhancing objects that were once broken. The cost is ¥8,000/person (cash) and the cancellation deadline is February 8.

Brisk Walk Club - Feb 13 at 10AM (Shibaura-futo Station)

Sign up to attend another great opportunity to get some exercise while exploring Tokyo. Discover a different part of the city, stay active and meet new friends! We will meet at

Shibaura-futo station and walk over the Rainbow Bridge and end in Odaiba (where we'll visit a great bakery cafe).

Grapevine Club - Feb 13 at 7PM (Darts Cafe Uno, Azabujuban)

Sign up to enjoy free flowing drinks with darts and karaoke! The event will be on Feb 13 at 7-9:30PM at Darts Cafe Uno in Azabujuban. The cost is ¥4,500/person (cash).

Run Happy Walk Happy Club - Feb 16 at 8AM (Nogawa Park)

Sign up to join a fun run or walk with optional breakfast afterwards. We meet on Monday mornings around 8AM in the parking area at Nogawa Park (next to ASIJ). All paces are encouraged to join this fun and friendly group!

Neighborhood Explorers Club - Feb 16 at 10:15AM (Ochanomizu)

Sign up to explore the Ochanomizu neighborhood. We will meet at the Ochanomizu Post Office (accessible from Ochanomizu Metro or JR stations). We will also stop at a famous shrine with a horse theme (for Year of the Horse), end at a plum festival, and hopefully see some plum blossoms.

Christian Parents Club - Feb 17, 24 at 9AM (Zoom)

Sign up to join this weekly club on Tuesday mornings via Zoom. Are you seeking a supportive community where you can pray for your children and their school? We invite you to participate in a time of worship, praise, and intercessory prayer. Our prayers are conducted in English and Japanese.

Photography Walk Club - Feb 17 at 10AM (Kappabashi)

Sign up for the next photo walk through Kappabashi Dougugai. We will meet at Tawaramachi Station exit 3. From shiny knives and stacked bowls to colorful signs and playful food models, there are endless small details to photograph. Bring a cell phone or camera and some cash if you want to buy dishes or other items. We will also eat lunch afterwards.

Global Cooking Club - Feb 18 at 10 AM (Kamiyamacho, Shibuya)

This event is full but check the sign up for any cancellations or to join the waitlist to make Chinese dumplings from scratch. ASIJ parent, Chelsea Shi, will be hosting a dumpling making session to celebrate Lunar New Year. The dress code is to wear something red and cost ¥1,500 (cash).

Ikebana Experience Club - Feb 19 at 10AM (Global Front Tower, Shibaura)

Sign up to immerse yourself in the elegant world of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. This 90-minute workshop is led by Rikako, a licensed Ikebana teacher from Ikenobo, Japan’s oldest school of floral art. During this time, you will experience the tranquility of this timeless craft and connect with fellow ASIJ parents. Tools will be provided on site. The cost is ¥5,500 (cash).

Flower Arranging Club - Feb 24 at 10AM (Denenchofu)

Sign up for this new event with Nakaba, a skilled florist and ASIJ parent, at her private residence in the Denenchofu area. Join this intimate Spring Flower Arrangement Workshop (tulips and ranunculus) with up to four participants (minimum of two participants needed). The cost is ¥6,500/person (cash) including flowers and materials. One parking spot will be available.

Hello Nihongo Club - Feb 26 at 9:30AM (Azabu Gardens West)

Sign up for this club’s second meeting for new arrivals and absolute beginners in Japanese who want to learn daily conversation skills. This club is led by Kimiyo, an ASIJ parent and nationally licensed Japanese language teacher with extensive experience teaching at a Japanese school for expatriates and their families. The fee per class is ¥1,500 (cash) for learning materials and a short tea break with Japanese sweets.

Bark & Bond Club - Feb 27 at 10AM (Yoyogi Park)

Sign up to attend this club of dog lovers and their four-legged companions. We're all about creating a fun, safe, and social environment for dogs of all breeds, personalities and sizes. Whether you're looking for a new walking buddy, exchange information on boarding, vets, insurance or supplies, want to practice some agility skills, or just want to hang out with other dog people our club has something for everyone. This month, the club will meet outside the Yoyogi Park Dog Run.

Grant and Speakers Program (GSP)

About GSP

The PTA has funds to help bring cool projects and guest speakers to ASIJ! If you’re a teacher, staff member, student group, or parent with a great idea to boost learning or add something special to school that would go beyond the standard curriculum, you can apply for financial support through the PTA Grants and Speakers Program (GSP). From author visits and student-led gardens to virtual reality in the classroom, past grants have made a difference.

Want to know more or ready to apply? Check out the guidelines and the application form.