2025 Kakehashi Project Trip Applications Available Now!

This year's Winter Kakehashi Project Trip will run from December 10 to 17, 2025. This year's cohort will comprise 48 participants who will travel to Japan to deepen their understanding of Japan's economy, society, history, diverse culture, politics, and diplomatic policies through people-to-people exchanges. Participants are expected to play an active and important role in the future of U.S.-Japan relations. We will also be accepting applications for two chaperones! 

Court's Rejection of the Alien Enemies Act is a Cautious Victory

September 5, 2025 - JACL welcomes the news that came out late Tuesday night, that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled against the Trump Administration’s recent use of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA). We have already spoken about the parallels of this use of the AEA with its historical counterparts, most notably its use to intern thousands of Issei, 1st generation Japanese immigrants, in the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor. The court's decision is a step in the right direction, but far from perfect. 

JANM - Silencing History: Protecting Truth in Public Spaces and Museums - September 15, 2025

Join the Democracy Center at JANM to explore the politicization of public memory, the dangers of historical erasure, and the consequences of silencing hard truths—whether in our shared outdoor landscapes or in our cultural institutions. The program will focus on the unique perspective of Japanese Americans, whose experience of wrongful incarceration during World War II was denied and ignored until generations of activism forced a reckoning, and make the case that truth-telling is not unpatriotic—it is essential.

USC Shinso Ito Center - The Alien Enemies Act of 1798: Understanding 1941 and 2025 - October 9, 2025

This panel will address how this act was applied to and impacted the Japanese American wartime community, ramifications of the current administration’s approaches, the status of the court cases challenging the administration’s use of AEA, and the amicus brief that was filed on behalf of descendants of Issei men who were imprisoned when the AEA was invoked in World War II. The speakers also will discuss how to accurately and effectively speak about the lessons from history when communities, especially those of color, live under the specter and reality of arrest, detention, and deportation.

This is a hybrid event. Please click here to register for the Zoom link. In-person event RSVP link is forthcoming.       

September 14: JACL DC Chapter Keiro Kai Family Day

September 20: Beyond 1941: Repealing the Alien Enemies Act with JACL NCWNP District Youth Board

September 28: Japanese Fall Festival - Aki Matsuri 2025 with NMJACL

AKI MATSURI 2025 | Japanese Fall Festival returns this year with a bang or better yet a BOOOM! Our headline performance features San Jose Taiko, the world-renowned ensemble that has electrified audiences across the globe with their heart-pounding beats and dynamic stage presence!
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Grab your tickets early for this one HERE
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We are now accepting Vendors, Performers, and Volunteers for the 2025 event. Learn more on NMJACL.org/ 

October 4: Mochi Ice Cream Social & Mid Autumn Moon Festival Celebration with SD JACL

Join the SDCHM Young Professionals Advisory Council and the San Diego JACL for an afternoon of networking, celebration, and dessert at the San Diego Chinese Heritage Museum. Mooncakes, boba, and mochi ice cream will be served!

October 5: Detention Then & Now - Chicago JACL and Nikkei Uprising

Our Debt of Gratitude - Seeking Stories!

University of Colorado Boulder - Center of the American West Paid Fellowship and Mentorship Opportunity

CU-Boulder’s Center of the American West is launching a new student fellowship program that offers a small cohort of students the opportunity to study a Western American issue or topic over the course of an academic year. Students will generate original scholarly or creative work under the mentorship of CU faculty, and they will receive a stipend for their efforts as well as access to funds supporting research travel. Each student chosen to serve as a Seo/Hirabayashi Fellow will receive a stipend of $1,500 as well as access to up to $1,000 of research funding.

Upcoming Events!

September 12 & 13: Japanese Film Festival Arizona

September 16: 2025 AAPI Community Survey with NCAPA and AAPI Data

Join NCAPA and AAPI Data for an in-depth discussion of survey findings about AAPI policy priorities. They will break down critical insights from the latest survey and discuss how these priorities can guide effective messaging, advocacy, and mobilization efforts through fall 2025 and beyond.

2025 Crystal City Pilgrimage

The Crystal City Pilgrimage Committee has opened registration for the 2025 pilgrimage taking place October 9-12 in Texas. This year’s Pilgrimage theme is “Crystal City Rising - Neighbors Not Enemies.” In addition to learning about the unique history and stories of survivors of the Crystal City Concentration Camp, this year’s Pilgrimage will frame many of our programs through the lens of present-day attacks on immigrant communities. The event will include a visit to the site of the former prison camp in Crystal City, and a multi-day educational conference taking place in San Antonio.  

2025 Poston Pilgrimage