The Nihon Ukulele Association is a Japanese association for ukulele players.

Dubai has one Japanese association and there is also a Dubai Japanese School, which is based on Japanese curriculum.

Andrew H. Card Jr., president of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association, said the Japanese association's statement offered further evidence that Japan "is simply ignoring the problem."

WHEN peaceful times came, his Olympic fan mail continued to be forwarded by Japanese associations, toward whom he shows no rancor.

Last year as well, a leader of a Japanese association of Pakistanis joined the condemnations of Mr. Rushdie, saying he deserved to die because of the book.

Idaho's five Japanese associations organized a federation and elected Fujii, as well as other representatives, to fight a similar law in Idaho.

The Japanese association said many of its members "try to place orders from foreign makers at the sacrifice of Japanese makers."

Like its British counterpart, the Japanese association sought to foster the communication of new ideas and facts throughout Japan and across international borders.

In regions with a substantial Japanese population in Buenos Aires, institutions such as Japanese associations and Japanese language schools were established by early Japanese immigrants.

"We knew we wanted a Japanese association, one that could provide us with business opportunities," Mr. Marron said.