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 JACL oath of allegiance (ddr-densho-122-877)

Example of Oath of allegiance required by JACL for membership, for Sedako Mae Iseri (information redacted)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-877/

doc The Japanese American Incarceration: A Case for Redress (ddr-densho-122-352)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-352/

doc Japanese American Citizens League Anti-Axis Committee of the Southern District Council (ddr-densho-122-878)

Bulletin of Anti-Axis committee

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-878/

doc Program from Fourth Biennial National Convention of JACL (ddr-densho-122-709)

Held in Seattle

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-709/

doc Resolution: Honoring Our Japanese American Resisters of Conscience (ddr-densho-122-567)

Resolution proposed by JACL as apology to wartime resisters

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-567/

doc Letter to Clifford Uyeda from Mike Masaoka (ddr-densho-122-569)

Letter opposing resolution adopted by San Francisco JACL Chapter re: redress

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-569/

img Fourth biennial Japanese American Citizens League convention (ddr-densho-259-305)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Posed group of JACL [Japanese American Citizens League] members at the 4th biennial national convention held in Seattle, September 1936. There are only some 50-75 people present, which indicates how small the beginnings of JACL were."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-305/

doc JACL Reporter: Seattle Chapter Vol. XI No. 9 (ddr-densho-274-33)

Selected article titles: "Dr. Minoru Masuda Reported on the 'Pride and Shame' Exhibit" (p. 1), "Merriam Company to Make Appropriate Revision on Derogatory Word for 1975 Printing" (p. 2), "Serious Moments Prevail Amid Carnival Atmosphere at the People's Festival" (p. 3), "Milestones" (p. 4), "Calendar of Events" (p. 5).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-274-33/

doc Booklet: "For Better Americans in a Greater America" (ddr-densho-274-20)

Booklet published by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-274-20/

doc Slogans Submitted So Far (ddr-densho-280-33)

A list of slogan options for the Japanese American Citizens League's 17th Biennial Convention.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-33/

doc Letter of appreciation to Joe Hamanaka for JACL convention theme (ddr-densho-280-38)

Letter from Frank Chuman congratulating Joe Hamanaka on submitting the winning theme for the Japanese American Citizens League's 17th Biennial Convention and elaborating on what the theme means to him.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-38/

doc JACL Convention Procedures (ddr-densho-280-28)

Convention procedures for the Japanese American Citizens League's 17th Biennial conference in Seattle, Washington. The procedures specifically highlight press officer duties and objectives.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-28/

doc Letter concerning JACL ad space (ddr-densho-280-47)

Letter from Peter Ohtaki informing Mrs. George S. Matsui that her prior letter had been forwarded to James Matsuoka and that they intend to buy a full-page advertisement in the JACL EDM-MDC convention booklet.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-47/

doc Dillon Myer, Wartime Relocation Director, to address national JACL convention (ddr-densho-280-19)

Press release announcing Dillon Myer's address at the JACL's 17th Biennial National Convention in Seattle, Washington. It recognizes Myer as a "champion of human rights and decency" and outlines his post-war employment.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-19/

doc JACL 17th Biennial National Convention invitation (ddr-densho-280-17)

Letter of invitation for Japanese American Citizens League members to attend their 17th Biennial National Convention in Seattle, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-17/

doc Letter of congratulations to Joe Hamanaka from Jim Matsuoka (ddr-densho-280-41)

Letter from James M. Matsuoka awarding Joe Hamanaka with a savings bond as reward for submitting the winning JACL 17th Biennial Convention theme.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-41/

doc JACL convention slogan drafts (ddr-densho-280-50)

Joe Hamanaka brainstormed welcome slogans and phrases for the Japanese American Citizens League's 17th Biennial Convention. Notes are written on the back of a Grant Advertising, Inc. flyer.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-50/

doc Theme suggestions for JACL conference (ddr-densho-280-34)

A letter from a Joe Hamanaka suggesting some themes for their upcoming 17th Biennial Convention.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-34/

doc 17th Biennial National JACL Convention Final Report (ddr-densho-280-44)

A blank final report form sent to Joe Hamanaka for comments and revisions.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-44/

doc JACL Public Relations Committee sugguestions (ddr-densho-280-42)

This document was written after the JACL's 16th Biennial National Convention in Sacramento, California. The document details their PR practices and offers suggestions for future conventions.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-42/

doc JACL Convention Banquet program (ddr-densho-280-22)

Program for the JACL's 17th Biennial National Convention's Convention Banquet.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-22/

doc JACL letter of appreciation to Joe Hamanaka (ddr-densho-280-43)

Letter from James Matsuoka and Peter Ohtaki thanking Joe Hamanaka for his publicity and public relations work for the JACL 17th Biennial National Convention.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-43/

doc Letter concerning JACL slogans (ddr-densho-280-48)

Letter from Peter Ohtaki enlisting his public relations committee to pick their top choices for the JACL 17th Biennial National Convention slogan.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-48/

doc A message from the JACL publicity chairman (ddr-densho-280-18)

Press release announcing the JACL's 17th Biennial National Convention in Seattle, Washington. Includes brief history of the organization and events planned for the convention.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-18/

doc Letter promoting JACL ad space (ddr-densho-280-46)

Letter from Mrs. George S. Matsui advertising available ad space in the JACL EDC-MDC convention booklet. Includes a blank form.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-46/