a mixed plate of Japanese American news and culture
On Feb. 19, 1942, then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, setting the wheels in motion for one of the largest violations of civil liberties in the country’s history. The forced exclusion of those of Japanese descent from the West Coast — most of whom were American citizens — and their mass incarceration in [...]
Concerned members of the Japantown community and those of neighborhoods surrounding the ethnic enclave met on Feb. 3 to discuss the potential redistricting boundaries of San Francisco’s voting districts. One of the proposals suggested drawing a boundary that would result in the area north of Geary Boulevard leaving Japantown’s District 5 for District 2, which [...]
Monday, Feb. 20 Union Bank Hospitality Room, Japan Center East Mall, S.F. Japantown Admission: FREE (donations welcome) Seating limited More info on Day of Remembrance: www.dayofremembrance.org A one-day film series held in conjunction with the Bay Area Day of Remembrance on Feb. 19, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, which [...]
SAN JOSE — The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) introduced its new agricultural exhibit, “Yesterday’s Farmer: Planting an American Dream,” on Dec. 10. With a focus on the Japanese immigrants who settled in Santa Clara Valley in the early part of the 20th century, the permanent exhibit features more than 100 types of [...]
Buried in Asian American journalism lore is the untold story of the first English-language newspaper for Korean Americans and the vital role played by a young, fresh out-of-college Sansei journalist, Randy Hagihara. It was from these humble origins that a storied career came into bud. The time was the fall of 1979 and the place [...]
LOS ANGELES — Four prominent Little Tokyo nonprofit organizations — Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC), Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) — have experienced leadership changes this past year. Bill Watanabe, founder and executive director of LTSC for the past 31 years, [...]
“There are still scholarly works that say there were no internment camps in Hawai‘i,” observes archaeologist Mary Farrell. In fact, there were at least 14 places in the islands where people were detained during World War II. The Honouliuli camp, located in a gulch cutting through agricultural land of Central Oahu, was the largest and [...]
One of San Francisco Japantown’s oldest remaining businesses, Uoki K. Sakai Company, will close at the end of the year. Community members expressed shock and disappointment about the impending loss of the market, located at 1656 Post St. in the heart of the ethnic enclave. The market is one of the last three pre-war family-owned [...]
To many people, Japanese food is a special and exotic treat — that often consists solely of sushi or ramen. A new tour aims to demystify the dishes, and teach those who may be otherwise hesitant about them. Since 2004, Lisa Rogovin has taken locals on culinary tours around the Bay Area. Her knowledge of [...]
Connections to Clarksburg
CLARKSBURG, Calif. — Passing through acres of vineyards along the narrow country road, we are mesmerized by the serene rural landscape and miss the turn. We double back to find our way, and spy in the distance, a forlorn wooden-framed structure with mint julep painted trim that otherwise matches the silhouette of the old gakuen [...]