Japanese American Citizens League

Eligibility

Every applicant must be an active National JACL member. JACL membership is open to everyone of any ethnic background. All who meet the eligibility criteria are welcomed and encouraged to apply. Note: applicants must hold an Individual or Student/Youth Membership. A Couple/Family membership by a parent will not meet this requirement.

Friday, March 3, 2025 –Entering Freshman applications must be completed no later than this date at 11:59 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (HST). Applications must be complete and accompanied by ALL supporting documents. Incomplete application packets will NOT be considered.

Entering Freshman Awards

Patricia and Gail Ishimoto Memorial Scholarship – Established by Harry K. and Tomoko Ishimoto, in memory of their two daughters who passed away together in an auto accident in January 1969. Both were students at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

Kenji Kasai Memorial Scholarship – Mr. Kasai was the long-time head of the Nikko Kasai Securities located in San Francisco, California. As a prominent leader of the Japanese American community and an avid supporter of the JACL, Mr. Kasai was very active in the fight for Issei naturalization rights.

CWO4 Mitsugi Murakami Kasai (Ret) Memorial Scholarship – This award was established by the estate of Mitsugi Murakami Kasai, aka “Casey,” who was a dedicated and loyal soldier. An Army veteran, he graduated from the MIS language school and later underwent counter intelligence training. He served as a Special Agent in Japan, Okinawa, Vietnam, Korea and the U.S. As his parents aged, Mr. Kasai retired to tenderly care for them until their passing. He was a passionate crusader for the military, veterans and the Nikkei community. A man who rarely minced words, he was active with the MIS, JAVA, Go For Broke, JACL, JANM, NJAHS and the Salt Lake Japanese Christian Church.

Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Memorial Scholarship – This award was established by the estate of the late Henry and Chiyo Kuwahara. Mr. Kuwahara, a resident of Los Angeles, was a well-known investment and securities broker in Little Tokyo. Due to the Kuwaharas’ strong belief in youth and the value of education, their estate funds a number of JACL scholarships.

Sam & Florice Kuwahara Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship was created in 2009, upon the passing of Florice Kuwahara by the terms of her Trust. Sam and Florice Kuwahara were active in farming in the Livingston, California area and its local JACL chapter. Although they had no children of their own, Sam and Florice believed in the importance of education for the young.

Mr. & Mrs. Takashi Moriuchi Scholarship – This award was established in 1975 by Takashi and Yuriko Moriuchi. Mr. Moriuchi, a successful fruit farmer, is the past New Jersey State Director of the United States Department of Agriculture Farmers Home Administration and Mrs. Moriuchi, a professor of Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), is president of the American Guild of Flower Arrangers. Originally from California, Yuriko Moriuchi currently resides in Medford, New Jersey.

Hanayagi Rokumie Memorial Japanese Cultural Scholarship – This award was established in 2006 in memory of Hanayagi Rokumie, a noted teacher of Japanese classical dance. The award is given to a student who excels in any Japanese cultural activity, such as: nihon buyo (Japanese classical dance), Japanese classical instruments (shamisen, koto, shakuhachi, taiko), ikebana (flower arrangement), chado (tea ceremony), or Japanese martial arts (aikido, karate, judo kendo, etc.).

Deni & June Uejima Memorial Scholarship – The Uejimas were very committed to the Japanese American community. They were long-time members of the San Gabriel Valley JACL and Deni served multiple terms as the chapter’s president. They bequeathed this endowment to reach out to and support the community’s young leaders.

Paul and Katherine Ohtaki Memorial Scholarship -- This scholarship was established by the estate of Paul and Katherine Ohtaki of San Francisco. Mr. Ohtaki was a successful businessman dedicated to the Japanese American community, and served many organizations with his gentle and dignified leadership qualities. When incarcerated in camp as a teenager, he wrote articles for his hometown newspaper on Bainbridge Island, and is featured in the book titled “In Defense of Our Neighbors.” The legacy of Paul and Katherine Ohtaki reaches far beyond their lifetimes to help students achieve their educational goals and dreams.

Further information: https://jacl.org/scholarships

Application portal: https://jacl.wufoo.com/forms/z1fk7hpu0es275i/