JACL Arizona Chapter

Celebrate the future of our community.

You are cordially invited to the Sara Hutchings Clardy and JACL-Arizona Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Sunday, April 26. Join us as we honor our 2026 scholarship recipients and present the Gold Saguaro Tribute.

It will be an afternoon featuring:

- Keynote speaker: Filmmaker Lane Nishikawa

- Buffet lunch catered by Hana Japanese Eatery

- Scholarship and Gold Saguaro Award presentations

- When: Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

- Where: Phoenix Elks Lodge (14424 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ)

- Price: Adults $30 | Children (12 and under) $15 (pay at door)

**RSVP BY: Friday, April 17, 2026**

Help us invest in our students and celebrate these community milestones. We look forward to seeing you there.

RSVP here: https://jaclaz.org/event/scholarship-awards-luncheon/

Sara Hutchings Clardy & JACL-Arizona Scholarship Awards Luncheon - Japanese American Citizens League - Arizona Chapter Join Us: Sara Hutchings Clardy & JACL-Arizona Scholarship Awards Luncheon The JACL-Arizona Chapter cordially invites you to an afternoon of celebration, community, and tribute. Please join us as we honor […]

If you have been looking for a reason to hit the theater, this is it. Members of our JACL-AZ community are highly recommending Kokuho, a stunning new epic that is already being called a masterpiece of Japanese cinema.

Spanning 50 years, it is a beautiful and intense look at the world of Kabuki, family, and the heavy price of art. It stars Ryo Yoshizawa and the legendary Ken Watanabe. This is a big screen experience you do not want to miss.

Today and tomorrow are the last days to see it in Arizona, so we suggest checking showtimes immediately while they are still available.

Find a Harkins Theatre near you:
You can catch the final showtimes at local spots like Chandler Fashion, Shea, and Superstition Springs.

Grab your tickets here:
https://www.harkins.com/movies/kokuho-japanese-subtitled/2026-02-25

Harkins Theatres - Kokuho [Japanese, subtitled] Set after the war in Japan, when the country experienced rapid economic growth, Kikuo is born into a yakuza family. His strange fate leads him to be eventually taken in by a kabuki theater actor. He experiences turbulent times, but his talent as a kabuki actor blossoms.

I can’t wait. Less than three weeks.

WE NEED YOU TODAY: Save Lives & Get Rewarded
We still have a few spots remaining for today’s blood drive at the JACL-AZ Hall. If you haven't made plans yet, come over to Glendale, roll up a sleeve, and make a massive impact in our community.

The Best Part? Give Blood, Stay for the Food!
After you donate, stick around to refuel with some great food and community vibes.

Donor Perks:
FREE Admission: Every donor receives a voucher for the Renaissance Festival.

Big Prizes: You will be entered to win one of 26 $500 gift cards.

Triple the Impact: One donation can save up to three lives (red cells, plasma, and platelets).

The Details:
When: Today, Jan 17th | 9 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: JACL-AZ Hall (5414 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, AZ 85301)

Register Now: https://jaclaz.org/event/jacl-az-blood-drive/

Let’s make this our most successful drive yet. See you at the Hall.

JACL-AZ Blood Drive - Japanese American Citizens League - Arizona Chapter Sat., January 17, 2026 | JACL-AZ Blood Drive | Open 9 am to 12:30 pm Description: This marks the third blood drive hosted by JACL-AZ. Building on the success of […]

How did the history of Japanese American incarceration intersect with tribal lands in Arizona?

Join and this Wednesday, Jan. 14, for a powerful panel discussion exploring this complex history. Moderated by reporter Gabriel Pietrorazio, the conversation connects with the museum’s current exhibits, “Gaman” and “Echoes Unearthed.”

Where: Online (In-person seating is currently full!)
When: Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
RSVP for the livestream link: https://support.fpraz.org/site/Calendar?id=100121&view=Detail

Don’t miss this important look at our local history.

FINALLY!

Seven ‘Nisei’ soldiers of the 442nd posthumously receive commission Army Secretary Dan Driscoll posthumously promoted seven second-generation Japanese American soldiers, known as Nisei, to the rank of second lieutenant.

Is this the perfect time of the year for a picnic? Why, yes, it is, and here is your invite.

Hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks will be provided. Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share.

I hope to see you there.

An enjoyable lunch during the chojukai quarterly social get together followed by musical entertainment by Shakazjamz.

A huge turnout. It is always great to see everyone and catch up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.

I can’t wait till the next event, which is in December. 

Densho’s resources exist today because of federal funding that is now at risk. The reality is that less than 1% of people who use Densho’s resources support us financially. If you've read an entry in our Densho Encyclopedia or Densho Catalyst, or used our oral histories, digital archives, or Sites of Shame, whether for teaching, research, or personal learning, we hope you’ll consider giving back. Make a gift to Densho to support free, open access resources that keep Japanese American history alive! https://densho.org/?form=donate

This exhibit is starting February 4 at the Chandler Museum.

A perfect day for having our annual Arizona chapter JACL picnic and business meeting. It was bright and sunny with a turnout of over 40 people.

Thank you to all who attended. Lots of winnings at bingo, including myself. Can’t beat that! It’s always great to see everyone, and eat the fabulously delicious potluck items and just hang out on a relaxing Sunday afternoon.