Advocacy Updates on Sacred Sites: A View from DC

We’re excited to share an upcoming webinar, “Advocacy Updates on Sacred Sites: A View from DC,” taking place on Monday, November 3rd at 5pm PT / 8pm ET. This conversation will feature Dan Sakura, conservation advocate; Katie Masano Hill from the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL); and Huy Pham from Asian and Pacific Islanders in Historic Preservation (APIAHiP). Together, they will discuss key federal updates and community advocacy efforts related to the preservation of Japanese American incarceration sites and other sacred places. Topics will include FY25 JACS grant funding, the FY26 appropriations process, the Lava Ridge–SWIP-N transmission line and its impact on Minidoka, ongoing preservation work by APIAHiP as we approach America 250, and updates on Japanese American Network bill implementation.

JACL New Member Orientation - November 6, 2025!

How can you make the most of your JACL membership? Join us for a first look at JACL's education videos, hear from JACL leadership, meet other new members, and find out all JACL has to offer. We will have prizes!

JACL NY/SC Sticker Art Contest!

The NY/SC is excited to announce a new art contest to design our next merch item — stickers! We want to create a platform and encourage the creativity of our community. Whether you are an avid artist or just enjoy a quick doodle every now and again, we encourage you to apply! Your design will be submitted via this google form, and your submission will be judged by current NY/SC members. Application will close November 7th at 11:59 PM HST

Election Day is Coming Up!

Have questions or need help voting this fall? Call APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Asian voter hotline at 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683) for assistance!

Bilingual support is available in:

English, Mandarin (普通話), Cantonese (廣東話), Korean (한국어), Vietnamese (tiếng Việt), Tagalog, Urdu (اردو), Hindi (हिंदी), Bengali/Bangla (বাংলা), and Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ).

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, the hotline will operate through voicemail, and callers will receive a callback from the team.

In the weeks leading up to the General Election, the hotline will be taking voicemails and providing callbacks. During Election Day, the hotline will be LIVE from 7am-11pm EST.

Spread the word and support AAPIs exert their voting power this fall

November 1: Nakayoshi Ornament Making with Monterey Peninsula JACL

November 6: Ireicho in Chicago Evening Event and Volunteer Form

November 6: Shamisen and Minyo Performance with Anju Madoka

November 13: San Diego JACL November Monthly Community Dialogue  

November 15: Conversations for Action hosted by Berkeley JACL and Berkeley NSU

Kakehashi Project 10th Anniversary - Looking for Story Submissions!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the KAKEHASHI Project, which was launched in 2015. To celebrate this special milestone, we’re creating a commemorative booklet “My KAKEHASHI Story”— and we’d love for YOU to be part of it!

You’re invited to share your KAKEHASHI story in the form of either:
• a short article (featured on one A4 page), or
• a short message (up to 100 words)

Let’s celebrate this journey together — and inspire the next generation of international exchange participants!

Note that outstanding stories may be recognized by JICE and selected for special interviews. We hope this opportunity could greatly enhance your career path!

Nichi Bei 2026 Films of Remembrance Call for Submissions!

The Nichi Bei Foundation is now accepting submissions for its 15th annual Films of Remembrance, the premier showcase of films commemorating the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans in American concentration camps during World War II.

Selected films will be included at showcase screenings in

• San Francisco’s Japantown on February 21, 2026
• San Jose’s Japantown on February 22, 2026

Additional screenings in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo and in Gardena, CA, in March 2026 are under consideration.

In addition, selected films may be eligible to be included in Films of Remembrance On Demand, our new streaming platform dedicated to films on the Japanese American incarceration experience. 

Eligible films should be recent productions on the topic of the Japanese American wartime incarceration experience and its aftermath, in either documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental forms. Works in progress may be considered if they are under production and guaranteed to be completed by the film submission deadline.

PRIORITY DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 7, 2025

2nd Miss Orange County JA Queens Reunion

Miss Orange County JA Queens honored with individual recognition certificates from Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) on Sept 20, 2025 at Tabiji Japanese Restaurant in Orange, California. – Back Row (L-R) Queen 2025 Casey Kuramoto, Queen 2015 – Sarah Hutter, Queen 2022 Kristine Yada, Queen 2012 Emily Folick Koko, Queen 2019 Kara Ito, Queen 2023 Kaitlyn Emiko Chu, Queen 2005 Michelle Ito Hatsushi, and Queen 2007 Christine Kimoto Tanaka. Middle Row (L-R) Queen 1979 Karen Karasawa Eto, Queen 1977  Karen Takeguma Woo, Queen 1989 Sandra Fukushima Ninomiya, Queen 1990 Denise Higuchi Bjorn, Queen 2008 Marissa Ishii Yamashita, Queen 2014 Dominique Mashburn, Queen 2018 Alice Amano, and Queen 2024 Caitlyn Sasaki. Front Row (L-R) Queen 1976 Joanne Ono Castillo, Queen 1974 Patti Hirahara, Queen 1961 Dianne Kubota Hamano, Queen 1960 Doris Reiko Fujino Pultz, Queen 1962 Carol Nishizu Matsuoka, Queen 1969 Gwen Okumura Martino, and Queen 1970 Gail Konishi Shibayama with District Director of Congresswoman Young Kim’s (CA-40) Office – Abigail Fachtmann standing.  Not Pictured Queen 1958 – Mary Murai Nakayama and Queen 1998 – Nicole Inouye. Photo by Ron Inatomi.

Our Debt of Gratitude - Seeking Stories!