Community News 03-19-2026
Groundbreaking at the Buddhist Church
Congratulations to the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin on the groundbreaking for their new Dharma Center on Thursday, March 12. Rev. John Oda and several members of the Wesley staff were among the many Japantown community organizations there in support as Rinban Henry Adams dedicated the project. Construction will start soon and last about one year.
Applications for our 2026 Nikkei Matsuri Foundation Scholarships & Grants are now OPEN! We are excited to offer four awards this year, with increased award amounts:
- Jimi Yamaichi Japanese Cultural Arts Scholarship - $2,000
- Warren Hayashi Japanese Cultural Arts Grant - $2,000
- *NEW* San Jose Japantown Community Grant - $3,000
- *NEW* Nagareda Family Trust Scholarship - $5,000
Applications are due April 10, 2026.
Please help us share these opportunities! Contact (scholarships@nikkeimatsuri.org) with any questions.
A new exhibit has just opened at the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center in San Francisco. According to one of the sponsoring organization, “I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience” is a new traveling exhibit that tells the storied history of second-generation Americans of Japanese ancestry, known as “Nisei,” who demonstrated their loyalty during World War II by enlisting to serve in the U.S. Army. In the exhibit, their service is recounted against the backdrop of fear and racial tension that inspired thousands to volunteer from Hawaii and drove the U.S. government to remove Japanese Americans and people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast to ten Wartime Relocation Authority (WRA) Incarceration Camps during the war. "
The exhibit began its five-year tour of 11 venues around the nation on February 23, 2026 with the first stop in San Francisco. The exhibit will be on view to the public until August 31, 2026. Please see the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) website for more information at njahs.org. The exhibit is located at the Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center, Building 640. 640 Old Mason Street, San Francisco, CA.
The exhibit began its five-year tour of 11 venues around the nation on February 23, 2026 with the first stop in San Francisco. The exhibit will be on view to the public until August 31, 2026. Please see the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) website for more information at njahs.org. The exhibit is located at the Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center, Building 640. 640 Old Mason Street, San Francisco, CA.
2026 Critical Connections Summer Application
- A free 5-week social justice leadership program for students.
- Open to all Santa Clara County high school students (no prior experience needed)
- June 24-July 23, Wednesday and Thursdays 1pm-5:30pm
more info online: bit.ly/ccsapply2026
Posted in Newsletter 2026-03-19