Non-profit Organization Is Dedicated to Educating the Public About Japanese Animation and Pop Culture
What You Need to Know:
- THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF JAPANESE ANIMATION (SPJA) is excited to unveil several changes to the organization as it continues to define its presence in and its commitment to the Japanese animation and pop culture community. Best known for hosting North America’s largest celebration of Japanese pop culture, Anime Expo, in addition to Anime Expo Lite, Project Anime and World Cosplay Summit USA, today SPJA announces its new tax status and launches its new website featuring a redesigned logo.
- SPJA is constantly looking for ways to strengthen and optimize its position as a non-profit institution focused on Japanese animation and related Japanese culture. In doing so, and to maximize its ability to serve that mission, the organization began the transition from a 501(c)(6) trade association to a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization last year. The change of status was officially approved by the Internal Revenue Service on May 12, 2020, with the new status effective retroactively to SPJA’s operations as of January 1, 2020.
- The redesigned SPJA website www.spja.org features a new logo which shifts away from the use of the organization’s full name to a stylized logo using its acronym SPJA. Additionally, the website features more robust and relevant content, information about SPJA’s portfolio of events, Board of Directors and Team profiles, as well as vibrant images.
“We firmly believe this new c3 status better aligns with SPJA’s current structure, activities, and mission and will allow us to aid our work and achieve our goal of increasing appreciation and understanding of Japanese animation and pop culture.”
Ray Chiang, President & CEO, SPJA
“As we move into our 30th year, we want our organization, at all levels, to reflect our passion and commitment to promoting awareness of and appreciation for Japanese culture. With the launch of our new logo, our acronym will become the primary way in which we refer to ourselves. On our new, more user-friendly website, our fans can get to know a little bit more about the team that works hard day-after-day to bring the best of Japanese pop culture to communities across the world.”
Ray Chiang, President & CEO, SPJA
Source: Official Press Release
About SPJA
Founded in 1992, SPJA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of and educating the public about Japanese animation and pop culture, as well as providing a forum to facilitate learning between professionals and fans through its various events and programs. For more information, please visit www.spja.org.
About Anime Expo
Anime Expo (AX) brings together fans and industry representatives from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Held annually since 1992, Anime Expo promotes awareness of and appreciation for the best in Japanese animation, popular art, entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.
About Project Anime
Established in 2012, Project Anime began as a single two-day event in Los Angeles. Now an international platform hosting events around the world, its mission is to facilitate communication, inspire vision, and develop educational resources involving Japanese pop culture business and events industries. For more information, please visit www.project-anime.org/
About World Cosplay Summit USA (WCS USA)
The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) was launched in 2003 to promote the international exchange of cultures through anime, manga and cosplay. Teams of two cosplayers from participating countries around the world are selected yearly as representatives to travel to Nagoya, Japan, for the cultural summit and Cosplay Grand Championship. The United States Finals, where WCS Team USA is selected, are held at Anime Expo. For more information, please visit www.worldcosplaysummitusa.org.
