Southeast U.S./Japan
Japan-U.S. Southeast Associations
October 25-27, 2026
JW Marriott Nashville
201 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Make valuable Japanese business connections at the 2026 Southeast U.S./Japan Annual Joint Meeting.
This high-profile event, the 48th Annual Joint Meeting between the Southeast U.S./Japan Association and its counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, attracts senior Japanese business and government officials and features an outstanding group of speakers along with a series of special networking activities.
We are committed to fostering an environment of collaboration and networking at the Annual Joint Meeting. As part of this commitment, upon registering for the event, your name and affiliation will be shared with all attendees. This allows for better engagements, facilitates connections, and enhances the overall conference experience. We respect your privacy and assure that your information will only be used for conference-related purposes. Thank you for your participation.
Registration
Please type your registration information carefully as this information will be printed on your name tag and in the delegate directory.
Registrations must be completed by September 25, 2026.
Discounted registration fees are available for JAST Corporate members.
If you are a JAST Corporate member, please log into your membership account to register for this event at the member rate.
Payment of the fee is due at the time of registration.
The registration fee does not include the hotel.
A full refund is available through September 25, 2026. Contact jastninfo@jastn.org.
Cancellations after September 25 must be processed through SEUSJapan.ecd@tn.gov. A 50% refund is available after September 25.
If you prefer to pay by check, contact jastninfo@jastn.org. Please make checks payable to Japan-America Society of Tennessee and mail to P. O. Box 330003, Nashville, TN 37203.
Spouses and guests are welcome to join. The spouse/guest fee includes meals, sessions/tour and receptions.
If you have any difficulties registering or have other inquiries, please contact jastninfo@jastninfo.org.
Hotel Reservations
JW Marriott Nashville
201 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Hotel reservations are made directly with the hotel online by delegates using this link: https://book.passkey.com/gt/220985831?gtid=fd9e77c25f67bcf0710e7b51d1aa0cca.
Tours
7:00 a.m.
Jack Daniels Distillery Experience
Do you want to walk the hallowed hollow and learn something about Mr. Jack’s Distillery? See firsthand how Tennessee whiskey is carefully crafted, all while learning more about the founder, Mr. Jack.
You’ll be treated to a story-filled, guided walk through the historic distillery, concluding with a taste of six different Jack Daniel Tennessee Whiskey samples. Lunch will be included following the tour.
Please note Jack Daniel’s is a 1.5 hour drive from Nashville. This off-site tour will depart promptly at 7:00 a.m. from the JW Marriott and return to Nashville by 3:00 p.m.
General Tour, Security and Restrictions Information
- All ages are welcome, but restrictions do apply.
- Whiskey Sampling: Assorted Jack Daniel's Whiskeys.
- You must bring valid photo ID.
- Only those 21 years of age or older may sample the whiskey.
- The Jack Daniel Distillery is a working distillery. You may experience temperature fluctuations and strong odors during your visit. To accommodate production demands, maintenance and repairs, your tour/experience path may be altered or your experience may be slightly delayed.
- Tours/experiences are partly outdoors and may involve walking and stairs. Walking shoes are recommended.
- Bags are not permitted on tours. Bags include backpacks and camera bags. Clutches, purses, fanny packs and wallets are allowed.
- Cameras and cell phones are permitted on tours, but use of these devices is restricted in certain areas of the tour. No professional photography without prior written permission.
- The Jack Daniel Distillery and Visitors' Center is a smoke-free facility. This includes smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapor devices. Smoking is not permitted on tours/experiences.
- Tours/experiences may be delayed due to inclement weather.
9:00 a.m.
Behind the Scenes in Nashville
Experience Nashville's rich history with a visit to one of its most iconic music venues, followed by a classic barbecue lunch. The Ryman Auditorium, known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” is a historic live music venue in the heart of Nashville. Originally built as a tabernacle in the late 1800s, the Ryman has hosted generations of legendary performers and has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of American music.
During this guided group tour, you'll go behind the scenes of one of music's most celebrated stages. Explore the venue's storied auditorium, hear unforgettable stories of legendary performances and experience immersive exhibits that bring its history to life.
After the tour, enjoy lunch at Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, one of Nashville's most beloved barbecue destinations. Savor authentic Tennessee barbecue and experience the flavors and traditions that have made Southern barbecue a cornerstone of the city's culinary culture.
10:00 a.m.
From Investment to Innovation: How Vanderbilt and Nissha Are Building the Future
Explore one of the Southeast's newest examples of U.S.-Japan innovation in action. This guided tour highlights the partnership between Vanderbilt University and Nissha Medical Technologies, the medical device business unit of Japan's Nissha Co., Ltd. The tour includes Nissha's recently opened Engineering & Innovation Center of Excellence located on Vanderbilt's campus.
Attendees will learn how the center is accelerating collaboration between industry and academia to advance medical device research, development and commercialization. The tour will also showcase Vanderbilt's growing Innovation Neighborhood, a dynamic district designed to foster entrepreneurship, discovery and cross-sector partnerships.
As a living example of the international collaboration that SEUS-Japan was created to promote, this tour offers a firsthand look at how Japanese manufacturing expertise and world-class university research are coming together to shape the future of innovation in Nashville.
12:00 p.m.
TOPGOLF
Topgolf is a modern entertainment venue that combines golf, food, drinks and a social atmosphere—kind of like a bowling alley or arcade, but built around hitting golf balls.
At Topgolf, you don’t play traditional golf on a course. Instead, you hit microchipped golf balls from a covered bay (like a driving range stall) into a large outdoor field filled with targets. The balls track where they land, and you score points based on accuracy and distance.
How it works:
- You are set up in a hitting bay reserved for our group
- Choose from different games - some competitive and some casual
- The system automatically keeps score
Topgolf is designed to be social and beginner-friendly:
- Full-service restaurant and bar
- Lunch will be provided
- Music and TVs playing sports
- Climate-controlled bays that can be heated or cooled, if needed, and covered in case of rain
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