Eighteen of these projects focused on K-12 education, and ten were directed at the general public in the US and Japan. Of the 25 projects implemented by organizations in the United States and three carried out in Japan, ten represented new initiatives. By assisting in the planning and execution of major Asia-related projects, interns gain experience in public education programming and nonprofit management, while bringing Japanese perspectives to a US institution. Participants take part in seminars on educational and social issues, and in community projects initiated in each country. The Center, now located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been renamed the Asian Educational Media Service .
Teachers then serve as local resources in their own school districts.
Workshops are also held to increase American and Japanese students' understanding of multiculturalism. The clearinghouse also provides information on Japan-related information services, and publishes a newsletter and summary of current events in Japan. An interdisciplinary teacher education program on Japanese society and culture for 44 St. Louis-area teachers. Using the knowledge gained from seven classroom sessions, the teachers will design curriculum units for use in their own classrooms and for local and national distribution. The program also administers educational activities to promote independent efforts by participants.