Our Mission
1 – Preserve Japantown for Future Generations
2 – Advocate for Japantown
3 – Promote Japantown
4 – Ensure that Japantown Develops Thoughtfully
5 – Engage the Youth in Japantown
6 – Develop a Strong, Diverse Board, Representative of Japantown
The Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj) is a 501(c)3 public benefit charitable institution formed from the guidelines and requirements of California State Legislation SB 307 and Proposition 40 capital improvement projects for the historical and cultural preservation of the last three remaining Japantowns in the U.S.
The JCCsj board is comprised of organizations and individuals with interest and concern for the historic and cultural preservation of Japantown and the development of the Japantown district, venues, businesses, and residences.
JCCsj
"…I feel so blessed to work in and be a part of such a wonderful and mobilized Japantown community, which I credit to the community leaders that work collectively together through the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose."
– Ryan Kawamoto,
Former Executive Director, Yu-Ai Kai
Our Board
Officers
Ryan Kawamoto, Co-President
Pam Yoshida, Co-President
Tamiko Rast, Vice President
Richard Kogura, Treasurer
Vanessa Hatakeyama, Secretary
Board Members
Janice Doi
Roy Hirabayashi
Ayaka J. Iwata
Kelvin Kamachi
Jane Kawasaki
Andrew Knaack
Neil Kozuma
John Ristow
Rich Saito
Michael Sera
Victoria Taketa
Past Presidents
2017 – John Ristow
2013 – Helen Hayashi
2011 – Roy Hirabayashi
2009 – Tamon Norimoto
2005 – Jerry Hiura
2003 – Joe Yasutake
FOUNDERS – In Memoriam
Dr. Jerrold Hiura (1947-2019)