The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) is a network of nearly 100 American nonprofit organizations that conduct programs on international affairs issues for US. citizens, often inviting leading figures in foreign affairs to speak at forums or conferences. From 1986 to 2001, JCIE and WACA jointly carried out the Japan Study Program, consisting of study tours arranged every other year for the leaders of world affairs councils. These study tours were aimed at improving the relationship between Japan and the United States, raising the level of interest in and understanding of Japanese society, and creating networks between community leaders.

In addition, JCIE and WACA organized an annual Speakers Seminar Program to strengthen Japan-related programming at the member world affairs councils around the United States. Each year, two Japanese representatives from academia, business, government, or the nonprofit sector were selected to travel to several American cities and speak on economic, political, or social issues in contemporary Japan.