What is the "Benkyoukai?"

The Japan Bowl® of California “Benkyoukai” is a virtual study and cultural exchange program hosted by the Japan America Society of Southern California for high school students participating in the National Japan Bowl® (April 17–18, 2026).

For 2026, the Japan America Society of Southern California offered the "Benkyoukai" sessions to student of ALL LEVELS (Level 2, 3, and 4) free of charge!

Session Schedule

Session 1: Friday, February 6 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Session 2: Friday, February 13 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Session 3: Friday, February 20 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Cultural Day: Friday, February 27 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)

*Schedule subject to change
*Students are welcome to join even if they cannot attend all sessions

Session Details

Each session will feature original lectures by Japanese university students on a wide range of topics related to Japanese society, culture, and current trends.

After each presentation, participants will be divided into small breakout rooms by language proficiency level to enjoy Japanese conversation with the university students and other attendees.

Who Can Participate in the "Benkyoukai?"

Benkyoukai is open to high school students across North America who are studying Japanese.

Due to limited capacity, registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is "Cultural Day?"

Cultural Day is the final session of Benkyoukai, designed for participants to enjoy a fun and engaging cultural lecture as a reward for all their hard work. We invite a special guest speaker from either Japan or the U.S. to present on a fascinating topic related to Japanese culture.

Supported by

Learn more about Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ)

How to Apply | Eligibility Requirements | Deadlines | Scholarships | Tuition and Fees | U.S. Financial Aid (FAFSA) | GI Bill and Veterans Benefits | Transfer Credits | Student Visa | Majors | Open Campus | Meet our Student Ambassadors | FAQ

Special Thanks: Stacy & Ruth Cromidas

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 

3:30PM  Registration Begins
4:00 - 6:00PM Seminar
6:00 -7:00PM Networking Reception 

Location 
Loyola Marymount University – University Hall
1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Admission
Free

 Parking - $15 per vehicle payable onsite. This fee is not included in the registration fee.

More information will be announced soon. Registration will open in the coming weeks.
Please stay tuned for updates!

* The event start time is subject to change.

Speakers

Anthony Vetro

President & CEO, Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs (MERL)
Deputy Head of Corporate R&D, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Anthony Vetro joined Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) in 1996 and has been part of its executive leadership team since 2014. He became President & CEO of MERL in 2023 and was appointed Deputy Head of Corporate Research and Development at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in April 2025.

Over his nearly 30-year career with the company, Dr. Vetro has shaped strategic R&D directions, led teams in emerging technology areas, and contributed to transferring several innovations into commercial products. His technical background is in multimedia signal processing, particularly video compression. He has been active in both academic and standardization communities, with contributions to digital TV, surveillance, automotive, and satellite imaging systems.

Dr. Vetro is an IEEE Fellow and has received several awards for his work on video transcoding. He has published over 200 papers and has served on various IEEE conference committees, technical boards, and editorial panels. He currently chairs the IEEE Signal Processing Society’s Industry Board and serves on its Board of Governors.

He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from New York University.

This Japan Currents Seminar is made possible by grants from