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 (1612)

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1612 items

img JACL trip to Washington D.C. (ddr-densho-10-58)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-58/

img 1984 Japanese American Citizens League National Convention (ddr-densho-10-139)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-139/

img 1984 Japanese American Citizens League National Convention (ddr-densho-10-134)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-134/

img Luao at the 1984 Japanese American Citizens League National Convention (ddr-densho-10-143)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-143/

img Japanese American Citizens League conference (ddr-densho-10-209)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-209/

img At the Memorial to Japanese American Patriotism in World War II (ddr-densho-10-62)

Caption on post-it note: "Etsu Masaoka."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-62/

img Japanese American Citizens League conference (ddr-densho-10-208)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-208/

img Sayonara dinner for the 1984 JACL National Convention (ddr-densho-10-68)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-68/

img 1984 Japanese American Citizens League National Convention (ddr-densho-10-136)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-136/

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/

doc JACL certificate of identification (oath of allegiance) (ddr-densho-25-15)

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Issei were required to carry government-issued identification documents because of their alien status. The Nisei, who were American citizens, did not have to carry such documents. However, the JACL encouraged Nisei to carry identification papers voluntarily. This document belonged to Mae Iseri. The document featured an oath of allegiance that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-15/

doc JACL affidavit (ddr-densho-25-25)

Mae Iseri signed this affidavit when she became a member of the JACL. By signing, she swore allegiance to the United States, renounced allegiance to any other country, and condemned the "infamous machinations" of the Japanese government.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-25-25/

img Japanese American Citizens League convention (ddr-densho-35-257)

Japanese American Citizens League members at the 4th Biennial National Convention in Seattle.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-257/

img Japanese American Citizens League inaugural banquet (ddr-densho-109-56)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-109-56/

doc Letter regarding the effort to pardon Iva Toguri d'Aquino (ddr-densho-338-122)

Letter discussing the changing attitudes in the JACL as well as Wayne Collins dislike of the organization.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-122/

doc Letter adding a contribution to the gift fund for Larry and Guyo Tajiri (ddr-densho-338-367)

Ina Sugihara's contribution to the gift fund. The JACL Committee of 150 honored Larry and Guyo Tajiri for their work with the Pacific Citizen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-367/

doc Tajiri Testimonial book (ddr-densho-338-476)

A book presented to Larry and Guyo Tajiri during the Tajiri Testimonial put on by the JACL. The book contains letters from people thanking the Tajiris for their years of service to the Pacific Citizen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-476/

doc Thank you letter to Guyo and Larry Tajiri from William E. Kent (ddr-densho-338-421)

Copy of a letter included in the thank you book presented to Guyo and Larry Tajiri at the Tajiri Testimonial Banquet of the JACL. The testimonial banquet recognized the Tajiris for their decade of service running the Pacific Citizen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-421/

doc Letter adding a contribution to the gift fund for Larry and Guyo Tajiri (ddr-densho-338-392)

Harry Miyako's contribution to the gift fund. The JACL Committee of 150 honored Larry and Guyo Tajiri for their work with the Pacific Citizen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-392/

doc Letter regarding the effort to pardon Iva Toguri d'Aquino (ddr-densho-338-123)

A letter from Guyo Tajiri requesting Phil Hanley's assistance in the pardon effort.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-123/

doc Letter adding a contribution to the gift fund for Larry and Guyo Tajiri (ddr-densho-338-369)

Roy Nishikawa's contribution to the gift fund. The JACL Committee of 150 honored Larry and Guyo Tajiri for their work with the Pacific Citizen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-369/

doc Thank you letter to Guyo and Larry Tajiri from Ralph and Marjorie Martin (ddr-densho-338-417)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-417/

doc Letter regarding the effort to pardon Iva Toguri d'Aquino (ddr-densho-338-116)

A discussion about talking to Wayne Collins about the Iva Toguri d'Aquino pardon effort.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-116/

doc Thank you letter to Guyo and Larry Tajiri from Annie Clo Watson (ddr-densho-338-408)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-338-408/