Organization

Aims

Since its introduction to Europe and America at the beginning of the 20th century haiku has spread all over the world. People in many nations are writing haiku in their own languages and a growing number are studying haiku. The Haiku International Association was established with the goals of fostering friendship and communication among those writing haiku and lovers of Japanese culture the world over as well as promoting haiku and haiku culture. Our association was established by the three major haiku associations in Japan: ‘the Association of Haiku Poets’, ‘the Modern Haiku Association’, and ‘the Association of Japanese Classical Haiku’.

Established

December 1989

Members

Around 400 members in Japan, and about 80 members overseas

Projects

Our Association’s principal projects include the following :

1. Collecting and organizing materials related to international haiku and expanding cooperation with international organizations
2. Multifaceted exchanges with haiku associations overseas.
3. Concluding ‘sister haiku association’ with haiku associations overseas.
4. A systematic introduction to Japanese haiku and haiku culture around the world.
5. Publications,
   • The journal ‘HI’ (Haiku International),
     distributed to foreign embassies in Japan and to Japanese embassies worldwide, via the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
   • The publication of ‘An Anthology of International Haiku’ in 1992, 1995 and 2000.
6. Supporting for haiku conferences and haiku events sponsored by local governments and companies.
7. Supporting for activities required to carry out the goals of our association.