Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

06/22/2026

Join us for a great day at The Plateau Club’s beautiful golf course! Connect with community members, support a fun event, and enjoy the sunshine, all while helping JASSW host one of its biggest events of the year.

Learn more and sign up here: https://jassw.org/golf-tournament-volunteer-2026/

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to meet prominent leaders from across the community, gain hands-on event experience, and network in a relaxed and welcoming environment. You’ll also enjoy complimentary food and drinks throughout your shift and, most importantly, have fun while supporting a meaningful cause!

Volunteer Tasks: Volunteer responsibilities may include assisting with event setup and teardown, helping with guest registration, supporting the putting and chipping contests, assisting during the awards ceremony, selling raffle tickets, managing auction items and prizes, and stepping in to help with other tasks as needed throughout the day. We offer flexible volunteer shifts, and meals will be provided for all volunteers.

Further instruction and information about your role and the event will be sent to registered volunteers prior to the event.

🗓️ July 20 , 2026 | 10:00 AM – 8:00PM (Morning & Evening shifts available)
📍The Plateau Club (25625 E. Plateau Drive, Sammamish, WA 98074)

06/19/2026

As we approach our annual golf tournament, we'd like to share our appreciation for the sponsors who make this event happen!

ITO EN is not just the number one tea company in Japan, but the largest green tea brand in the world! Founded in 1966, the brand has grown across the world, available in more than 45 countries. They focus on three pillars: respect for nature, innovation with integrity, and commitment to preservation. All of this comes together to bring us delicious, authentic green tea! Distant Lands Coffee joined the ITO EN brand family in 2015; for more than 45 years, they've produced superior quality specialty coffee. They ensure the utmost in taste and process through their end-to-end production line, taking responsibility "from seed to cup."

Thank you, ITO EN and Distant Lands, for all of your support! We'll see you on the green 🏌️‍♂️

https://itoen.com/

Shop organic Japanese green tea at ITO EN's online store. Discover premium, authentic green tea options for a refreshing and healthy experience.

06/19/2026

学校・図書館でサービスを提供している方へ — 2026年7月1日から一部サービスの消費税が免除に

学校や図書館に特定の課税対象サービスを提供している方へお知らせです。2026年7月1日から、取引先が対象となる学校・図書館の場合、2025年10月から課されるようになった消費税が免除となる可能性があります。

✅ 免除の対象となる可能性がある取引先
• 公立学校（K-12）・学区
• 教育サービス地区（Educational Service Districts）
• 公共図書館・図書館地区・図書館サービスセンター

💡 手続きのポイント
これらの機関に消費税なしで請求するには、取引先から**免税証明書（Exemption Certificate）**を受け取り、保管しておく必要があります。

📅 重要な日程
2026年7月1日 — 対象となる学校・図書館への消費税免除が開始

⚠️ ご注意
この免除は、法律で定められた特定のサービスにのみ適用されます。ご自身のサービスが対象かどうか、必ずワシントン州歳入局（DOR）のガイダンスをご確認ください。

🔗 詳細：https://dor.wa.gov/forms-publications/publications-subject/special-notices/new-salesuse-tax-exemption-purchases-certain-retail-services-schools-and-libraries

#消費税 #消費税免除 #税金情報 #知っ得情報

06/18/2026

Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Services Provided to Schools & Libraries Starting July 1, 2026

If you provide certain taxable services to schools or libraries, here's an important update. Beginning July 1, 2026, if your client is a qualifying school or library, you may no longer need to charge retail sales tax on certain services that became taxable in October 2025.

✅ Clients that may qualify for the exemption
• Public schools (K–12) and school districts
• Educational Service Districts (ESDs)
• Public libraries, library districts, and library service centers

💡 Important step
To invoice these organizations without sales tax, you must obtain a valid Exemption Certificate from your client and keep it on file.

📅 Key date
July 1, 2026 — Sales tax exemption takes effect for qualifying schools and libraries.

⚠️ Note
This exemption applies only to certain taxable services covered by the law. Be sure to review the Department of Revenue guidance to determine whether your services qualify.

🔗 Details: https://dor.wa.gov/forms-publications/publications-subject/special-notices/new-salesuse-tax-exemption-purchases-certain-retail-services-schools-and-libraries

#知っ得情報

06/17/2026

We're still looking for volunteers for the Japan Fair later this month 🏯 This is a great opportunity to help and learn more about JASSW, be exposed to other great organizations in this space, and enjoy one of the most exciting annual Japanese culture events in the area!

Tasks might include hanging out at our table, handing out flyers, answering general questions about JASSW & membership, coordinating our chopsticks challenge games (super fun!), and helping set up or break down the booth.

Learn more and sign up here: https://jassw.org/japan-fair-2026/

🗓️ June 27 & 28, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 6:00PM (Morning & Afternoon shifts available)
📍Meydenbauer Center – 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

06/15/2026

In Person One-on-One Business Consultation – June 19, 2026
Need support for your business journey? We’re here to help!

Bring your documents and meet one-on-one with our advisors, who will sit with you to provide personalized support for your business needs.

Our advisors are here to support you:
👤 Kanako Matsumoto – Business Advisor (CPA, CFE)
👤 Takayo Harriman – QuickBooks ProAdvisor
👤 Sachiko Miller – U.S.–Japan Trade Consultant
They provide personalized one-on-one consultations tailored to your needs.

📅 Date: June 19, 2026 10:00am to 3:00pm (Each session is 1 hour)
💻 Location: NVC Memorial Hall, 1212 S King St., Seattle
🔗 Register here: https://jassw.org/in-person-business-consultation-06192026/

✔ Free of charge (supported by Washington State Department of Commerce)
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対面個別ビジネス相談（2026年6月19日）
ビジネスに関するお悩みはありませんか？

必要な書類をご持参いただき、アドバイザーと対面で一対一の相談ができます。お隣に座りながら、ビジネスに関するさまざまなご相談を丁寧にサポートします。

専門アドバイザーが個別にご相談を承ります：
👤 松本加奈子（ビジネスアドバイザー、CPA、CFE）
👤 ハリマン高代（QuickBooks ProAdvisor）
👤 ミラー祥子（日米間輸出入コンサルタント）
それぞれの分野に応じて、1対1で丁寧にサポートいたします。

📅 開催日：2026年6月8日 朝10時00分から午後3時00分の間で、1時間
💻 場所：NVC Memorial Hall, 1212 S King St., Seattle
🔗 お申し込みはこちら：https://jassw.org/in-person-business-consultation-06192026/

✔ 完全無料（ワシントン州商務省の支援による実施）

06/12/2026

As we approach our annual golf tournament, we'd like to share our appreciation for the sponsors who make this event happen!

Founded in 1891, CalPortland is the leading producer of cement, concrete, aggregates, asphalt, and construction materials in the Western United States and Canada. They're known not only for their high-quality products, but incredibly reliable service. Not only that, but their environmental commitment has earned them the EPA ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for twenty consecutive years.

Thank you, CalPortland, for all of your support! We'll see you on the green 🏌️‍♂️

https://www.calportland.com/

CalPortland is a building materials manufacturer & suppliers specializing in construction services, cement, concrete, asphalt & more. Largest in the West Coast.

06/11/2026

ペニーが廃止されつつあります。ワシントン州では2026年6月11日より、現金取引に関する新しい端数処理ルールがすでに施行されています！

新しいルール：
お客様が現金で支払う場合、合計金額を最も近い5セント単位に丸めることができます。

$5.41・$5.42 → 切り捨てて $5.40
$5.43・$5.44 → 切り上げて $5.45
切り上げ・切り捨ては小売業者が自由に選択できます。

現金払いのみに適用：
✅ 現金 → 5セント単位への丸め可能
❌ クレジット・デビットカード → 端数処理なし、正確な金額
❌ 電子決済（Apple Pay等） → 端数処理なし、正確な金額
❌ 小切手 → 端数処理なし、正確な金額

⚠️ ビジネスオーナーへの重要事項：
端数処理を行っても、税務上の義務は変わりません。売上税は必ず端数処理前の元の価格をもとに計算する必要があります。

例：合計が$5.43で、現金払いのお客様に$5.40に切り捨てた場合でも、売上税は**$5.43**に対して計算・申告する必要があります。

あなたのビジネスへの影響は？
完全にキャッシュレスであれば影響はありません。現金を受け付けている場合は、おつりの処理に柔軟性が生まれますが、税務申告はこれまでと全く同じです。
🔗 dor.wa.gov/laws-rules/interim_guidance_statements/interim-guidance-statement-regarding-elimination-penny

#中小企業 #ワシントン州 #ペニー廃止 #現金取引 #売上税 #ビジネス情報 #小売業 #在米日本人 #日系ビジネス #知っ得情報

06/11/2026

The penny is being phased out — and new cash rounding rules are already in effect in Washington State as of June 11, 2026!

Here's what you need to know:
The new rule: When a customer pays with cash, you can now round the total to the nearest nickel.

$5.41 or $5.42 → round down to $5.40
$5.43 or $5.44 → round up to $5.45
You choose whether to round up or down — it's your decision as a retailer.

This applies to CASH ONLY:
✅ Cash transactions → rounding to nearest nickel allowed
❌ Credit/debit cards → exact amount, no rounding
❌ Digital payments (Apple Pay, Venmo, etc.) → exact amount, no rounding
❌ Checks → exact amount, no rounding

⚠️ Important for business owners:
Rounding does NOT change your tax obligation. Sales tax must always be calculated on the original price before rounding — not the rounded amount.

Example: If the total is $5.43 and you round down to $5.40 for a cash customer, you still owe sales tax on $5.43.

Does this affect your business?
If your business is fully cashless — no impact at all. If you accept cash, you now have flexibility on how to handle change, but your tax reporting stays exactly the same.
dor.wa.gov/laws-rules/interim_guidance_statements/interim-guidance-statement-regarding-elimination-penny

06/10/2026

The annual Japan Fair is approaching, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us out and make the event a success. Join JASSW for an exciting weekend at this year’s Japan Fair as we promote our programs and membership at our booth!

Learn more and sign up here: https://jassw.org/japan-fair-2026/

Volunteer Tasks: Hang out at our table, hand out flyers, answer general questions about JASSW & membership, coordinate our chopsticks challenge games (super fun!), and help set up or break down the booth depending on your shift time.

Further instruction and information about your role and the event will be sent to registered volunteers prior to the event.

🗓️ June 27 & 28, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 6:00PM (Morning & Afternoon shifts available)
📍Meydenbauer Center – 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004