The Japanese American Citizens League

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) was organized in the late 1920s by a small group of young, professional nisei in response to the anti-Japanese fervor of the times. The organization was decidedly patriotic and dealt with discrimination by emphasizing American citizenship, loyalty, and assimilation. Because of their ideology, JACL members were recruited by the military to assist in carrying out the "evacuation" orders, and they urged Japanese Americans to cooperate with the government. The group inspired strong, mixed feelings among Japanese Americans during this time. However, in the years following the war, the JACL regained much of its former support by successfully overturning many legal barriers for Japanese Americans.

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The Japanese American Citizens League (1813)

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1813 items

doc American-Born Japanese Group Indorses Draft (August 30, 1940) (ddr-densho-56-499)

The Seattle Daily Times, August 30, 1940, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-499/

doc Japanese Buy U.S. Bonds (July 6, 1941) (ddr-densho-56-504)

The Seattle Daily Times, July 6, 1941, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-504/

doc American-Born Japanese Deny They're Disloyal (March 12, 1938) (ddr-densho-56-482)

The Seattle Daily Times, March 12, 1938, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-482/

doc U.S.-Born Japanese Are Declared Loyal (October 25, 1940) (ddr-densho-56-501)

The Seattle Daily Times, October 25, 1940, p. 16

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-501/

img Salt Lake Japanese American Citizens League Chapter (ddr-densho-162-26)

L to R: Mike Masaoka, Tom Matsumori, Miye Asahina, Shake Ushio, Tomoko Watanuki, Kay Terashima, Joe Kurumada.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-162-26/

img J.A.C.L. formal dinner party (ddr-densho-201-456)

Japanese American Citizens League formal dinner party, occasion unknown.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-456/

doc Japanese American Citizens League Intermountain District Council Convention program and directory (ddr-densho-201-467)

Title on cover: "Japanese American Citizens League; Intermountain District Council Convention; November 25, 26, 27; Convention Headquaters [sic] Hotel Ben Lomond; Ogden, Utah; Program on pages 39, 41, 43; Convention Program and Directory."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-467/

img JACL Convention (ddr-densho-18-44)

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Convention outside the Jackson Building in Seattle's Nihonmachi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-18-44/

img National JACL Conference (ddr-densho-18-47)

Attendees of the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Conference stand in front of the King County Courthouse at 3rd Avenue and James Street.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-18-47/

img Dancing at the J.A.C.L. Sayonara Ball (ddr-densho-201-453)

Men and women dancing in formal attire. Caption on reverse: "R.S. Ochi Photography 522 Brdwy. No. Seattle, Wash."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-453/

doc "JACL Reflections: Happy New Year" (ddr-densho-201-459)

Japanese American Citizens League sixteen-page booklet. Title on cover: "JACL Reflections: Happy New Year." Contains staff reflections, memorial services, newsettes, messages from service men, song dedications, church communique, humor, weddings, and other reflections.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-459/

doc "Japanese American Citizens League Intermountain District Convention" (ddr-densho-201-465)

"Official Souvenir Program; Second Biennial Intermountain District Convention; Japanese American Citizens League; December 14-15, 1946 Weiser, Idaho; December 16, 1946 Boise, Idaho." Includes letters, photographs, and advertisements in addition to the schedules. There are signatures throughout the program, particularly across portrait photographs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-465/

img "J.A.C.L. Sayonara Ball" (ddr-densho-201-452)

Caption on front: "J.A.C.L. Sayonara Ball - Masonic Temple - Seattle 1941; Nov. 16; 9-1-[illegible], R.S. Ochi Seattle."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-452/

doc J.A.C.L. 1942 Reflections (ddr-densho-201-463)

Twenty-two page booklet published by the Japanese American Citizens League. Title on cover: "Reflection." Handwritten on cover: "Beulah Shigeno." Includes society columns, gossip columns, church news, jokes, and drawings.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-463/

doc "First Postwar Pacific Northwest JACL Convention 1951" (ddr-densho-201-464)

Program for the 1951 Pacific Northwest Japanese American Citizens League Convention. Title on cover: "First Postwar Pacific Northwest JACL Convention 1951; 'The JACL Comes of Age'; 21st Anniversary; September 1, 2, 3 - Bush Hotel - Seattle, Washington." Includes photographs, advertisements, schedules, a letter from William Devin, Mayor of Seattle, a letter from Harry Takagi, Pacific …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-464/

doc "Seattle Chapter Installs New Officers" (ddr-densho-201-472)

Pacific Citizen newspaper clipping from March 17, 1951: "SEATTLE, Wash.--Newly-installed officers of the Seattle JACL joined hands with Pres. Harry Takagi in a pledge for unity and teamwork in 1951 after the chapter's installation service recently. From left to right, Kay Yamaguchi, Ken Nogaki and James Matsuoka, vice-presidents; Pres. Takagi; Beulah Shigeno, corresponding secretary; Betty Noji, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-472/

img Men shaking hands at J.A.C.L. formal dinner (ddr-densho-201-457)

Men shaking hands at a Japanese American Citizens League formal dinner party, occasion unknown.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-457/

img Idaho J.A.C.L. meeting (ddr-densho-201-458)

Idaho meeting of the Japanese American Citizens League. Members are holding signs for "Boise Valley," "Pocatello," and "Snake River."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-458/

img J.A.C.L. formal dinner party (ddr-densho-201-455)

Japanese American Citizens League formal dinner party, occasion unknown. Caption on reverse: "Shanafelt & Onffroy Fine Photography; Phone 2457-W 600 Shoshone Ave.; Boise, Idaho."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-455/

doc J.A.C.L. 11th Biennial National Convention Program (ddr-densho-201-466)

Title on cover: "11th biennial national convention; Blueprint for Tomorrow; Japanese American Citizens League 20th anniversary; 1950 September 28 - October 2; Chicago."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-466/

img Officers of the J.A.C.L. take oath (ddr-densho-201-468)

New officers of the Japanese American Citizens League are sworn in.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-468/

doc J.A.C.L. 1945 Reflections (ddr-densho-201-460)

Twenty-four page booklet published by the Japanese American Citizens League. Title on cover: "1945 Reflection." Includes articles, editorials, drawings, society pages, memorials, and quotations from soldiers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-460/

img New officers of the Japanese American Citizens League (ddr-densho-201-469)

From associated newspaper clipping: "Newly-installed officers of the Seattle JACL joined hands with Pres. Harry Takagi in a pledge for unity and teamwork in 1951 after the chapter's installation service recently...From left to right, Kay Yamaguchi, Ken Nogaki and James Matsuoka, vice-presidents; Pres. Takagi; Beulah Shigeno, corresponding secretary; Betty Noji, recording secretary; and Mits Kashiwagi, treasurer." …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-469/

img Couples dancing at the J.A.C.L. Sayonara Ball (ddr-densho-201-454)

Men and women dancing in formal attire.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-454/

doc J.A.C.L. 1946 Reflections (ddr-densho-201-461)

Twenty-page booklet published by the Japanese American Citizens League. Title on cover: "Summer Reflection 1946." Includes church bulletins, club activities, gossip columns, drawings, and quotations.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-201-461/