1971

Mandated by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s Nihonmachi Master Plan, construction of a community center in Japantown was approved at community meetings. Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) was selected as the name of the future facility.

1973

The JCCCNC was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. A diverse and representative 51-member board of directors focused on creating a structure of governance, securing a site and planning fundraising activities.

1980

Over $1 million was raised through grassroots fundraising, public and private contributions and individual giving.

1982

"Vision 80's," the $3 million capital campaign led by then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein and Yori Wada began.

1986

Construction on the first phase of the building was completed, providing affordable facility space for programs and nonprofit organizations including Kimochi, Inc., Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC), Nihonmachi Legal Outreach (now Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach APILO), Nobiru-kai Newcomer Services and Japantown Arts and Media.

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1988

Phase II construction (gymnasium/community hall) began, Paul Osaki was hired as first Program Director and JCCCNC classes/programs began.

1992

During U.S./Japan trade tensions, the JCCCNC brought a community delegation to meet with Japanese business and government leaders to help educate them about Japanese Americans’ role in international relations.

1994

Emperor and Empress of Japan historic tour of the U.S. included a visit to the JCCCNC. Kristi Yamaguchi (1992 Olympic Gold Medalist) Goodwill Tour to Osaka helped strengthen relations and raised awareness in Japan of Japanese American achievements.

1995

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake devastated the Osaka-Kobe area of Japan. The JCCCNC and community responded raising over $600,000 in direct relief funds for victims of the tragedy.

1996

Henri and Tomoye Takahashi provided a personal gift of $500,000 to retire JCCCNC's mortage. The JCCCNC continues to receive annual support from The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation for programs and services related to educating, informing and deepening the knowledge of the Japanese American history with the general public as well as maintaining and creating programs to encourage interest about Japanese history, culture and the arts.

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1997

Celebratied the 40th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Osaka and San Francisco, the JCCCNC led over 300 youth, business, civic and community leaders as ambassadors for exchanges furthering relationships between our two countries.

1998

Community development activities led to greater involvement in neighborhood issues, which subsequently included the fights to preserve the Japantown YWCA and Japantown Bowl for community use, and provided affordable programs for low-income residents of Golden Gate Apartments.

1999

Published Charting Courses and Shifting Direction for the Japanese American Community, an assessment of demographics, giving and volunteerism in the Japanese American community in partnership with the Japanese American Consortium of Community Related Organizations (JACCRO).

2000

The JCCCNC hosted the Nikkei 2000 Conference, the first national gathering of Japanese Americans to actively discuss the community’s future. Attended by over 500 individuals representing various regions  including Japan and South America.

2001

The JCCCNC published Generations: A Japanese American Community Portrait. Paul Osaki initiated an effort to pass Senate Bill 307, the first legislation to recognize and provide funds for historical/cultural awareness of the three remaining Japantowns. From Our Side of the Fence: Growing Up in America's Concentration Camps was produced by the JCCCNC.

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2002

The Japanese American Sports Hall of Fame (JASHoF) was inaugurated honoring five individuals, Ann Kiyomura Hayashi, Tommy Kono, Wat Misaka, Kristi Yamaguchi and Wally Yonamine. The JCCCNC convened the first Japanese American Cultural Centers Summit and for the 45th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship brought S.F. 49ers to Osaka.

2003

Celebrating 30 years in the community, the Center hosted a free open house to highlight its facility and programs to the general public. The Shinzen Nikkei Youth Goodwill Tour participated in the 60th Anniversary remembrance of the bombing of Hiroshima in Japan.

2004

The JCCCNC honored members of the Japanese American media.

2005

The California Civil Liberties Public Education Program (CCLPEP) Notice to All: The California Conference on the Internment of Japanese Americans brought together 500 attendees ranging in age from 16 to 94. The JCCCNC coordinated the CA Nisei High School Diploma Project which culminated with a commencement ceremony for 20 Nisei who finally received their diplomas; and at Salute to the Stars honored five entertainers, Mako, Pat Morita, James Shigeta, Pat Suzuki and George Takei, who opened doors for Asian Americans in the entertainment industry.

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2006

Was the lead organization for the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of San Francisco's Japantown, presented the world premiere of the Grateful Crane Ensemble's Nihonmachi: The Place to Be, hosted monthly cultural workshops and the was the key administrative office for many of the events. Other highlights included Preserving California Japantowns Symposium, Love Letters, a play, starring and reuniting stars James Shigeta and Nancy Kwan.

2007

Led over 300 ambassadors to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship including youth, their families, culinary experts, city officials and community members and hosted a delegation led by Mayor Seki of Osaka. Received a grant to coordinate a youth initiated and led project to document family histories. Organized Journey to Tanforan in commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and, along with PG&E, spearheaded a campaign to "Go Green" and install solar paneling on the Center's roof.

2008

The JCCCNC celebrated its 35th Anniversary and honored its Executive Director, Paul Osaki for his 20 years of vision and leadership at the JCCCNC. Through JCCCNC's effort, S.F. Japantown is designated as a Preserve America Community by the White House. Organized the first Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program a one month intensive language and homestay program in Kobe, Japan. Also received a grant from the CCLPEP to coordinate the youth initiated and led Nikkei Family Legacy Project helping to document family histories using digital media; hired three "Associates" as part of a staff re-organization to create a long-term succession plan.

2009

In efforts to continue to preserve the environment, initiated the "Mottainai - Go Paperless" campaign to encourage users to to receive information via email; hosted over 600 at its annual fundraiser Tabemasho (Let's Eat) celebrating 140 years of Japanese food in America; sent 21 youth and their families on the final Shinzen basketball program; and received a CCLPEP grant to coordinate the the Nisei College Diploma Project.

2010

15 participants traveled to enjoy the Snow Festivals of Hokkaido and the JCCCNC hosted enka star Jero in his first West Coast concert. The “Dreams Finally Realized” Project was implemented by college interns who video documented the stories of Nisei graduates. The JCCCNC assisted in the coordination of the National API Conference and hosted 500+ at its annual event at the JCCCNC, “Tabemasho: From Generation to Generation,” honoring California Rice pioneer George Okamoto, Sr. and Nomura and Company for their longtime contributions to the community by creating our comfort food, Kokuho Rose.

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2011 

The JCCCNC celebrated the 25th Anniversary of “Opening Our Doors,” and on March 11 established the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (NJERF) to aid the victims and survivors of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The Relief Fund has become the largest Japanese American community based relief fund in the U.S. with over 13,000 donors, 25,000+ members on Causes.com and over 300 events that have helped raise over $4 million.

2012

The JCCCNC hosted students, a veterinarian and relief workers assisting efforts in Tohoku and continued to update the community on the recovery efforts in Japan. The Nikkei Family Legacy Project continued with 50 participants researching and creating family history books (from immigration, through internment, to present day) to share with their families, the community and future generations. The Kase Nikkei Community Internship was created to help develop future leaders in the community.

2013

The JCCCNC celebrated its 40th Anniversary and honored longtime Executive Assistant Marjorie Fletcher and Executive Director Paul Osaki. $1.1 million from the NJERF was distributed to organizations in Japan for programs aimed at Rebuilding the Human Spirit. The second class of Takahashi Fellows traveled to Japan and shared their hope and friendship with the residents of Tohoku.

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2014

Na Leo, Hawaii's premiere female singing trio, performs their first San Francisco holiday performance at the JCCCNC. The Center launched its new website, a new program and a membership constituent management system. The annual Colma Japanese Cemetery Clean-up hosted over 200 volunteers.

2015

The JCCCNC celebrated the 100th birthday of major supporter Tomoye Takahashi and hosted an invitation-only event honoring the World Champion San Francisco Giants baseball stars Norichika "Nori" Aoki and Travis Ishikawa.

2016

The JCCCNC was the lead organization for the celebration of the 110th anniversary of SF Japantown. It hosted a lunch to honor the Nisei and the return of the musical "Nihonmachi: The Place to Be." The Center commemorated the 5th Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami with Tohoku Artists' visits and a cultural tour of the six prefectures of Tohoku.

2017

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship, the Center hosted Tabemasho: A Taste of Osaka, featuring culinary guests from Osaka. We relaunched the Shinzen Goodwill Program and took 18 players and 72 family members to Sendai, Kesennuma and Kobe for a nine-day goodwill tour. In the fall, the "the Center" rebranding campaign was launched.

2018

The Center celebrates its 45th anniversary with the theme Reimagine: a New Beginning, highlighting its new logo and brand.

2019

Renowned landscapers Shigeru Namba and Isao Ogura complete the Issei Garden at Cottage Row. The Japanese American History Archives is dedicated to the late Seizo Oka. The Shinzen Program takes 15 youth and their families to Japan to celebrate the 25^-year relationships with the Osaka and Kobe YMCAs.

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2020

The Center closed its doors on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before closing, the Center staff developed a plan to keep our Nisei/seniors safe, stay engaged with members and program participants, and create a robust social media plan. The Center hosted 96 online programs with over 950 virtual participants from 35 states and registrants from Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Italy, and the UK, increasing online supporters of virtual program participants.

2021

After a 417-day closure, the Center reopened in May with a phased program resumption and a comprehensive health and safety plan. Working with City and State agencies, the Center provides community rapid COVID-19 testing and distributes at-home rapid tests to local seniors.

2022

The Center held its first in-person annual Tabemasho following the Covid pandemic, hosting cast iron and senbei artisans from Oshu, Japan and over 400 attendees, restauranteurs and volunteers.

2023

The Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary and honors the Nisei with its theme of “Celebrating Generations.” Programs included a Nisei Tribute and Benkyodo concert by Grateful Crane, 120,000 Stories by Nobuko Miyamoto, Center Fest dance party and a special anniversary Tabemasho event.

2024

The Center unveils its Japanese-design gym floor with pickleball, volleyball and a regulation basketball court, launches a yearlong genealogy program for “Your Family, Your History,” and honored Madam Michiya Hanayagi for 68 years of sharing the art of odori (Japanese dance) in the Bay Area,

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