The Association for Japanese-Language Teaching (AJALT) was recognized as a nonprofit organization by the Japanese Ministry of Education in 1977. It was established to meet the practical needs of people who are not necessarily specialists on Japan but who wish to communicate effectively in Japanese. In 1992, AJALT was awarded the Japan Foundation Special Prize; and in 2010, it became a public interest incorporated association. AJALT created the best-selling Japanese for Busy People series, as well as the Japanese for Young People series, both published by Kodansha USA Publishing. AJALT' s website is www.ajalt.org.