Japanese America

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Latest Episodes:

S2E1 A Journey into Japan's Stationery Wonderland Feb 13, 2025

In this engaging episode of the Japanese America podcast, hosts Michelle and Koji dive into the captivating world of Japanese stationery with special guest Mark Sakaguchi from Kinokuniya Bookstore (https://usa.kinokuniya.com/) and Yuri Aida from Designphil America, Inc (https://travelerscompanyusa.com/). They explore the allure of Japanese pens, notebooks, and accessories, which have evolved from being perceived as cheap to becoming celebrated for their impeccable quality and craftsmanship. The episode offers insights into the cultural significance and growing popularity of Japanese stationery in the United States, highlighting unique products like washi tapes and the beloved Mitsubishi Jetstream pen. With an upcoming stationery festival in Santa Monica, listeners are invited to embrace the artful lifestyle inspired by these exquisite writing tools. Join Michelle, Koji, and their guests as they share personal stories, explore trends, and celebrate the meticulous art behind Japanese stationery.

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Michelle Malizaki

Hosts: Michelle Malizakiand Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S1E11 Quakers Acts of Kindness and Resistance: Japanese American Incarceration and Holiday Traditions Dec 16, 2024

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In this enlightening podcast episode, "Acts of Kindness and Resistance: Japanese American Incarceration and Holiday Traditions," the hosts delve into the poignant history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. They explore the powerful themes of kindness and resistance, highlighting the unwavering support of the Quakers and the American Friends Service Committee, who stood by the Japanese American community through advocacy and educational support. As the episode unfolds, listeners are treated to heartwarming stories of small gestures, such as receiving an avocado from a friend, and the rich tapestry of cultural traditions, including Japanese New Year's customs. The narrative celebrates figures like Gordon Hirabayashi and Ralph Lazo, who bravely opposed injustice, and educators like Claire Breed, who supported interned children. The episode concludes with a heartfelt thank you to listeners and a promise of fresh stories in the upcoming season.

To listen to the original public program, you can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/xHWcpw8SlFk

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

Honoring Nisei Heroes: David Ono on Valor, Legacy, and Cultural Reflections Nov 18, 2024

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In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the incredible stories of Japanese American Nisei veterans who displayed extraordinary bravery and patriotism during World War II. Led by David Ono, a renowned anchor from KABC-TV, the episode highlights the heroics of units like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service. These soldiers faced significant prejudice and the injustice of incarceration, yet they chose to serve the United States with unparalleled valor, as exemplified by their swift capture of a strategic hill in Italy. The episode also honors figures such as Senator Daniel Inouye, whose leadership and courage left an indelible mark on history. Through poignant storytelling and personal reflections, the podcast not only celebrates these unsung heroes but also explores the broader Japanese American experience, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Nisei soldiers and their significant contributions to America's diverse heritage.

ABOUT US

David Ono is the co-anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News at 4 pm and 6 pm and was recently named Anchor of the Year in the U.S. by Broadcast and Cable.

David joined ABC7 in 1996 and, during that time, has witnessed history worldwide, covering Hurricane Katrina, Haiti's earthquake, and Japan's tsunami. He traveled across Europe and Asia, chronicling the brave acts of the Nisei soldier from World War II.

David has produced multiple award-winning documentaries, two of which have made their way to the Smithsonian Institution.

David has won 12 Edward R. Murrow awards, 31 Emmys, 2 RTDNA National Unity Awards, 6 AAJA National Journalism Awards, and was honored with the Distinguished Journalist Award by the Society of Professional Journalists. He has also received both the Journalist of the Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the LA Press Club.

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S1E9 Giant Robot with Eric Nakamura Oct 21, 2024

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In this captivating episode, we delve into the rich tapestry of Asian American art and identity, exploring the journey of Eric Nakamura, the visionary behind Giant Robot. From his rebellious beginnings as a zine creator to establishing a cultural hub that fuses Asian American identity with punk rock culture, Eric shares his inspiring story of family heritage and creative passion. The discussion highlights the evolving perceptions of Asian Americans in art and entertainment, noting a shift from stereotypes to a broader acceptance of diverse talents. We celebrate the rise of Asian American artists and their impact on the art scene, featuring dynamic talents like James Jean and Mike Shinoda. Through engaging narratives and personal anecdotes, this episode offers a vibrant exploration of artistic expression, cultural narratives, and the power of community in shaping a creative legacy.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Robot_(magazine)#:~:text=Giant%20Robot%2C%20named%20after%20the,technology%2C%20food%2C%20and%20skateboarding.

ABOUT US

Welcome to "Japanese America," where the Japanese American National Museum unveils captivating stories that add a Nikkei slant to the American narrative. In each episode, we explore Japanese Americans' unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs, illuminating their rich contributions to the mosaic of American life. From historical milestones to contemporary perspectives, join us for an insightful journey showcasing the diverse tapestry of a community that has shaped the American story in extraordinary ways. Welcome to "Japanese America," where each story unfolds like a chapter in a living history book.

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S1E8 Reviving Tradition Through Manzanar's Historic Diamond Sep 16, 2024

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In this captivating episode, we explore the profound impact of baseball on the Japanese-American community. From personal stories of youth baseball to the inspiring journey of special guest Joshua Morey, who played professionally in Japan, the episode delves into the cultural significance of the sport. We highlight the Manzanar Baseball Project, an initiative to revive a historic baseball diamond that once brought solace to Japanese Americans during WWII. Through discussions on representation, challenges, and the transformative power of baseball, this episode showcases how the sport bridges generations and cultures, fostering a sense of belonging and resilience within the community. Tune in for heartfelt stories, insightful conversations, and a celebration of baseball's enduring legacy.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Joshua Morey is the chairperson of Ori-gen and president of The J Morey Company Inc. Ori-gen amplifies the voice of diverse communities throughout America by providing resources, services, and perpetuation planning for independent agents and brokers from diverse backgrounds. Morey serves on the board of directors for the U.S.-Japan Council, JANM, the Little Tokyo Community Council, and the Japanese Evangelical Mission Society. He was recently featured on the cover of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s national magazine. He is co-founder of KODO Insurance Services (Insuretech) and chairman of the board of Arrowood Insurance Services. He has a BA in Business Economics, from Wheaton College and a MA in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. In his free time he loves playing baseball and spending time with his wife and three kids.

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S1E7 Civil Liberties Act of 1988 Aug 19, 2024

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Hosts Koji and Michelle delve into the intricate nature of genuine apologies and the actions that must accompany them to signify real growth and understanding. They share personal stories, such as Koji's challenging week with a broken-down car and a bat incident, and Michelle's temporary homelessness due to fumigation, to illustrate the complexity of apologies in everyday life. The discussion then shifts to the historical significance of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II.

Special guest Keiko Agena enriches the conversation by reading a part of the Act, emphasizing the importance of government acknowledgment and reparations. The episode offers a nuanced exploration of how official apologies can pave the way toward healing and understanding for marginalized communities, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the power of words and deeds.

ABOUT OUR READER

Keiko Agena is best known for her series regular roles on the shows PRODIGAL SON where she played Dr. Edrisa Tanaka and GILMORE GIRLS, where she played Lane Kim for seven seasons and reprised the role in the Netflix GILMORE GIRLS revival. In between Agena has been a series regular on HULU’s THE FIRST and recurring on BETTER CALL SAUL, DIRTY JOHN, DOOM PATROL and 13 REASONS WHY. As a guest star she has appeared on such shows as SHAMELESS, SCANDAL and NCIS LOS ANGELES to name a few. Keiko has recently published an Artist Workbook titled NO MISTAKES through Penguin/Random house which is available wherever books are sold. As an improviser she’s performed numerous shows at UCB Sunset, UCB NY and IO WEST.

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

NEW SHOW: Lucidity Traier Jul 29, 2024

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It's the app that helps you dream the way you want to dream...

Fascinated by nightmares, journalist Jessica Suzuki pursues the truth behind a popular vivid dreaming app. Lucidity allows users to experience their wildest dreams and beyond, but Jessica discovers that for some users, it's just the beginning of their worst nightmare.
The show is released today. You can find the show wherever you normally download your podcasts. (https://linktr.ee/elucidity)
Check out this new show by writer/producer Koji Steven Sakai

S1E6 Dear Attorney General Jul 15, 2024

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Hosts Michelle and Koji explore parenthood, cultural heritage, and resilience through personal narratives and historical references. In part three, Koji’s grandparents' attempt to stay in the United States after renouncing their citizenship with the help of civil rights lawyer Wayne Collins and their friends/family.

ABOUT OUR READER

Derek Mio is an actor and comedian from Huntington Beach, CA. He portrays real-life recipient Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura in the Netflix anthology series Medal of Honor--executive produced by Robert Zemeckis--and is the lead actor in the second season of the critically acclaimed AMC anthology series The Terror co-starring George Takei and executive produced by Ridley Scott. He is the creator and host of 'The BudoComedy Show' held at the Terasaki Budokan non-profit rec center in Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles featuring comedians such as Atsuko Okatsuka, Al Madrigal, Sheng Wang, Ian Bagg and more--the show has raised over $10,000 for the facility. Derek earned a Bachelor of Arts from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. His hobbies include surfing, fishing, birding, and wrangling his 2-year-old son.

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S2E5 Grandpa the Renunciant Jun 17, 2024

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This episode delves into the complex intergenerational impacts of identity and citizenship within a Japanese American family, particularly focusing on the decisions made by Koji’s grandfather, Takaiichi Sakai, during his incarceration in a WWII concentration camp. Featuring actor Derek Mio, the episode combines personal stories with historical analysis, exploring themes of loyalty, cultural belonging, and the heavy consequences of choosing between nationalities. Through candid conversations and reenactments, the hosts examine the lasting effects of their ancestors' choices on their own identities and the broader community.

ABOUT OUR READER

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

S1E4 Grandpa the Spy? May 16, 2024

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Hosts Koji and Michelle delve into the complexities of Japanese American identity through Koji’s unique family story. They examine why he was sent from Hawaii to America’s concentration camps and how they answered the contentious loyalty questionnaire. The episode provides a multifaceted look at the Japanese American experience, from the pride in samurai ancestry to the moral dilemmas posed by questions of allegiance during a dark chapter in American history.

ABOUT OUR READER

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

Ep 3 The First Manzanar Pilgrimage Apr 15, 2024

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Hosts Michelle Malizaki and Koji Steven Sakai delve into the history of the Manzanar pilgrimage. They discuss its historical significance, personal connections, and the necessity of education to prevent similar injustices.

If you’re interested in joining this year’s pilgrimage, here is a link for more information: https://manzanarcommittee.org/2024/02/09/55-pr1/

ABOUT PILGRIMAGE

22min, 2006

Directed & Edited by Tadashi Nakamura - tadashinakamura.com

Produced by Karen L. Ishizuka

Exec. Produced by Robert A. Nakamura

PILGRIMAGE tells the inspiring story of how an abandoned WWII concentration camp for Japanese Americans has been transformed into a symbol of retrospection and solidarity for people of all ages, races and nationalities in our post 9/11 world.

With a hip music track, never-before-seen archival footage and a story-telling style that features young and old, PILGRIMAGE reveals how the Japanese American community reclaimed a national experience that had almost been deleted from public understanding. PILGRIMAGE shows how the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage now has new meaning for diverse generations who realize that when the US government herded thousands of innocent Americans into what the government itself called concentration camps, it was failure of democracy that would affect all Americans.

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf3t-5JP65M

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in Conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

Ep 2 Karate Kid Revisited Mar 18, 2024

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In the second episode of the Japanese America Podcast, Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki discuss the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," exploring its portrayal of Japanese culture and reimagining some of its iconic scenes to highlight issues of cultural representation and racism. They touch upon the significance of Mr. Miyagi's backstory of being in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II and the impact it had on audiences. The episode also speculates humorous updates to the film, such as having all Asians secretly know martial arts or turning Cobra Kai into a K-pop dance troupe.

ABOUT OUR PERFORMERS

Dom Magwili is a lecturer for the Department of Asian American Studies at California State University Fullerton. Dom has been an active novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and actor.

Terence Chin (he/him) (Daniel) is an actor starting in the film industry. Recently graduated from Cal State LA with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. During his years at Cal State LA, Terence has been in numerous plays, musicals, and student films.

LINKS

"The Karate Kid" 30th Anniversary Panel Discussion, Q+A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfNyjlLa88&t=1s

Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/karate_kid

ABOUT US

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malazaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in Conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum

Yuri Kochiyama's Diary with Actor Sierra Katow Feb 19, 2024

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Explore the life and enduring legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese American woman whose experiences during WWII in concentration camps ignited her transformation into a civil rights icon. In this podcast episode, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki delve into the intimate thoughts and profound adversities captured in Yuri's diary. From tales of community resilience within the camps to discussions on identity and patriotism, this episode honors Kochiyama's empathetic activism and challenges us to reflect on the true meaning of citizenship. Join us in paying tribute to a beacon of the civil rights movement and the resilient spirit that defines the Japanese American experience.

ABOUT OUR PERFORMER

Sierra is a standup comic, writer, and actor. She recently shot her first hourlong standup special with Comedy Dynamics and can be seen playing Evangeline on Mindy Kaling's The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max. In the past, she was part of the main cast of The G Word with Adam Conover on Netflix and voiced characters for Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon. She has also written for shows like Exploding Kittens (Netflix), Close Enough (Max), Earth To Ned (Disney+), and Eureka! (Disney+).

LINKS

https://www.nps.gov/people/yuri-kochiyama.htm

JANM Online collection link for Yuri Kochiyama:

https://janm.emuseum.com/groups/yuri-kochiyama--mary-nakahara--collection/results

ABOUT US

Welcome to "Japanese America," where the Japanese American National Museum unveils captivating stories that add a Nikkei slant to the American narrative. In each episode, we explore the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Japanese Americans, illuminating their rich contributions to the mosaic of American life. From historical milestones to contemporary perspectives, join us for an insightful journey through the curated collection of the Japanese American National Museum, showcasing the diverse tapestry of a community that has shaped the American story in extraordinary ways. Welcome to "Japanese America," where each story unfolds like a chapter in a living history book.

For more information about the Japanese American National Museum, please visit our website at www.janm.org.

CREDITS

The music was created by Jalen Blank

Written by Koji Steven Sakai

Hosts: Michelle Malizaki and Koji Steven Sakai

Edited and Produced by Koji Steven Sakai in Conjunction with the Japanese American National Musem