There is much news about Japanese American newspapers facing difficult challenges, threatening our collective existence, given the general downturn in advertising in today’s print media and a shift to more online sources. Here at the Nichi Bei Foundation and Nichi Bei Weekly, we have been at the forefront at how community media faces these challenges, as we’ve pioneered a nonprofit model of quality community journalism while evolving into a meaningful educational institution. And we have some evolutionary changes in the works.

We are proud that with the help of you, our members and readers, we have become a truly innovative entity, having launched a Digital Edition more than two and-a-half years ago. Rising out of the ashes of the historic Nichi Bei Shimbun/Nichi Bei Times dating back to 1899 was not easy, but thanks to your support, we’ve overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

In this Obon and summer festival season, we humbly ask for your help so that we can continue our mission of keeping the community connected, informed and empowered, continually striving to be that glue that holds the community together.

Please consider purchasing a Gift Membership to the Nichi Bei, so that friends, family and other loved ones can be connected to our community, our culture, our historical legacy. Through Sept. 30, 2016, we present our lowest prices ever, so that we could expand our membership base, and therefore strengthen our core.

Please see the special discount form to the left, or visit our booth at the San Jose Obon July 9-10, next to our friends at the Asian American Curriculum Project.

Together, we hope to continue to strengthen the ties that bind us.