named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
3-Year-Old Parent-Child Class
Weekly class for 3-year-olds and caregivers featuring Japanese songs, games, storytelling, and free play to introduce language and social connections
BJAFA Brooklyn Daundokai (Sports Day)
Annual sports day event for children and families with traditional Japanese games, relays, and group dances, drawing nearly 1,000 participants
BNG: Brooklyn Nihongo Gakuen
Saturday Japanese language school for Pre-K to high school students at PS261 in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, offering structured instruction in Japanese language and culture
Brooklyn O-Matsuri (Summer Festival)
Annual community festival held at Prospect Park featuring Japanese cultural activities, food, and performances for Japanese and Japanese-American families
JFL: Japanese as a Foreign Language Program
In-person and online Japanese language classes and tutoring for adult and middle school learners, with beginner to advanced levels and tailored course options
Kanji Kentei (Kanken)
Administration of the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Test at various levels for school-aged children at the BJAFA office in Industry City
Parenting Seminars and Workshops
Regular seminars on topics such as public school selection, child development, and wellness for Japanese-speaking parents in Brooklyn
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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East Asian Language and Cultural Education 2 activities
- Japanese Language Instruction ProgramsProvides comprehensive Japanese language education for diverse age groups, including: a Saturday school for children in grades Pre-K through high school (serving over 160 students); in-person group classes for adults at four levels (beginner to advanced) at Industry City; a Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) program for adult learners; one-on-one in-person and online tutoring for middle school students through adults; and a Saturday children’s class for grades 2–5 held at PS 261 in Boerum Hill.
- Support for Japanese Language EducatorsProvides capacity-building support to independent Japanese language teachers and educators operating in Brooklyn, enhancing local language education infrastructure.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community Cultural and Family EventsOrganizes annual community events including the BJAFA Brooklyn Grand Sports Day (featuring sports competitions and dance performances), the Brooklyn Summer Festival at Prospect Park, Hanami Playdate, spring "Outdoor Play Parents and Children Club" gatherings, and field trips to sites like the Noguchi Museum and Brooklyn Recycling Center. These events collectively draw nearly 1,000 participants each year.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Cultural and Educational WorkshopsOffers cultural classes such as ikebana and calligraphy, including special seasonal calligraphy classes, and conducts educational workshops and seminars on topics including public elementary school selection, Japanese language education in Brooklyn, health for busy women, and miniature garden creation at the BJAFA community garden.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Parent-Child Classes for 3-Year-OldsOffers parent-child classes for 3-year-olds as part of seasonal course series (spring and fall), featuring weekly activities such as songs, games, fingerplays, and storytime in Japanese. These classes are recurring and have been offered in multiple years including 2024, 2025, and 2026.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Administration of Japanese Kanji Ability Test (Kanken)Administers the Japanese Kanji Ability Test (Kanken/Kanji Kentei) at its Industry City office for students from elementary through high school age, with scheduled testing on June 27, 2026, supporting local Japanese language education.
- Community Library and Information ResourcesOperates a physical community library and maintains BrooklynBenricho.org, a website providing parenting and family life information in Japanese for Japanese and Japanese-American families in Brooklyn and surrounding areas.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$602K
Contributions & grants$71K12%
Program service revenue$532K88%
Investment income$560%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$543K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$229K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$474K
Cash$460K
Investments$0
Liabilities$14K
Net assets$461K
Liquid reserves10.2 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +17.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TETSUO MATSUMOTO | PRESIDENT | 14 | $39K |
| YUKI SASAKI | DIRECTOR | 21 | $17K |
| MIKI YEUNG | TREASURER | 21 | $13K |
board members · 1
- KUMIKO SEKI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Noguchi Museum Partner — Hosted a field trip for BJAFA's social studies program.
- PS 261 Partner — Hosts the organization's children's Japanese language class on Saturday afternoons in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
- PS261 Partner — Hosts Saturday Japanese language classes for Brooklyn Nihongo Gakuen.
- Theme Fusion Network — Website design and development support for BJAFA's online presence.
- Theme Fusion Partner — Web design and development partner for BJAFA's website.
- Theme Fusion Partner — Website design and development partner for BJAFA's site.
- ブルックリン日本語学園 Partner — Brooklyn Japanese Language Academy provides instructors for the 3-year-old parent-child class.
- ブルックリン日本語学園高等部 Partner — High school division whose students participate as volunteers in the operation of the BJAFA Brooklyn Grand Sports Day.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Building through Culturally Grounded Experiential Activitiesmethodology: community-engagement-through-workshopsBy offering hands-on workshops, outdoor play, community gardening, and large-scale cultural events such as a Japanese-themed sports festival, the organization strengthens communal ties and cultural identity, because shared participation in meaningful, culturally resonant experiences fosters belonging and intergenerational connection.
- Community School Model for Peer-Based Cultural Educationmethodology: community_school_modelBy creating a community-based learning environment where children engage with Japanese language and culture alongside peers in a playful, social setting, the organization reinforces cultural continuity, because peer interaction in an immersive context increases enjoyment, retention, and sustained participation.
- Early Childhood Family Engagement through Cultural Immersionmethodology: early-childhood-family-engagementBy integrating Japanese language and cultural activities into parent-child programming for young children, the organization supports early development and strengthens family bonds within a shared cultural context, because early exposure in a familial setting enhances both linguistic retention and cultural identity formation.
- Immersive and Personalized Language Learning for Cultural Continuitymethodology: immersive_language_learningBy combining small-group, interactive instruction with flexible, goal-oriented curricula—including use of standardized assessments like the Kanji Ability Test—the organization promotes sustained engagement in Japanese language learning among adults and children, because personalized pathways and measurable progress increase motivation and long-term participation.