The Japan Studies Association of Canada(JSAC) grew from the 1987 “Conference on Modern Japan”, hosted at the University of Alberta, supported by the University, the Japan Foundation and Embassy of Japan. The following year, the first JSAC conference was held at McGill University. Since then, JSAC has hosted yearly conferences across Canada (bringing scholars together to present and discuss research and trends in Japan Studies. JSAC’s early conferences focused largely on the social sciences, particularly economics, political science and business, reflecting interest in the “Japanese economic miracle”. As the world saw Japan as more than an economic power, JSAC too shifted our orientation. JSAC welcomed more participation by scholars teaching and studying Japanese traditional and popular culture, history and language, and Japanese Canadians (or Nikkei). To respond to the changing academic climate and to strengthen our mission, the JSAC was incorporated federally as a NPO in Toronto in 2024, More than 35 years after its founding, JSAC remains strongly committed to fostering Japan studies and Japan-Canada relations.