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.

Graduate Awards

Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Memorial Scholarship – This award was established by the estate of 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.

Railroad and Mine Workers Memorial Scholarship – Established by the families of Japanese American railroad and mine workers to pay tribute to the lives of these Issei and Nisei pioneers. This scholarship memorializes the story of these workers, who were fired from their jobs after the outbreak of World War II, and their children’s successful fight for recognition and justice decades later.

Dr. Kiyoshi Sonoda Memorial Scholarship – A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Dr. Sonoda established a successful dental practice in Los Angeles. Dr. Sonoda was an active member of the JACL beginning in 1945, in which he was one of the first life members of the One Thousand Club and a past president of the West Los Angeles JACL chapter. This scholarship is restricted to students studying in the field of dentistry.

Chiyoko and Thomas Shimazaki Scholarship – Mr. Shimazaki was an active member of the Greater Los Angeles chapter. He brought the concerns and challenges facing single individuals to the attention of the national organization. This award is given to a student planning a career in the medical field.

Dr. Newton K. Wesley (born Uyesugi) Memorial Scholarship – This award is being offered to a student pursuing a career in eye care (optometry, medical, or a scientific research field) to honor Dr. Newton K. Wesley. He is often cited for developing the first commercially-successful rigid contact lens in an attempt to cure his own impending blindness. His research work ultimately helped to save the sight of millions. Dr. Wesley was a contact lens pioneer, lecturer, writer, educator, clinician and inventor.

Reverend H. John & Asako Yamashita Memorial Scholarship – John and Asako Yamashita graduated from UC Berkeley. In 1942, they were imprisoned with their families in the Topaz concentration camp. Following the war, John opened a hostel at the West Tenth Methodist Church in Oakland for returning Japanese Americans, and Asako helped reopen the family market, Uoki Sakai, in San Francisco. John and Asako married and together supported the work of the West Tenth Methodist Church and later the Centenary Methodist Church in Los Angeles. Asako served as an elementary school teacher for many years. This scholarship supports graduate studies for students concerned with education, social justice, and service to their communities.

Minoru Yasui Memorial Scholarship – A civil rights advocate and attorney, Minoru Yasui was one of the four Nisei who challenged the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WWII. After the war, Mr. Yasui practiced law and served as legal counsel for dozens of community organizations and activities. In 1979, Mr. Yasui was appointed chair of the JACL Committee on Redress, in which he traveled extensively around the country advocating for redress and reparations. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students with a strong interest in human rights and civil rights. Fields of study may include sociology, law or education.

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

Application portal: https://jacl.wufoo.com/forms/z1lb92ia0jylrvf/