Japanese America
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.
Japanese America
Latest Episodes
Season 3, Episode 5 (Special Uncut): Kouraku and the Taste of Home — Special Japanese Interview with Mamoru Tokuda-san (シーズン3・第5話 特別編: 後楽、故郷の味)
This is the special, uncut companion episode to our main June 2026 feature on Kouraku, officially certified by the City of Los Angeles as America's oldest operating ramen shop. While our main episode features English translations, we wanted to ...
S3E5: Kouraku and the Taste of Home — Feeding a Community
Welcome back to Japanese America! In this episode, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki take the podcast on location to Second Street in the heart of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, to record inside a true culinary and cultural lan...
S3E4: The People’s Government: George Takei on Democracy and the Tule Lake Legacy
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, hosts Koji Steven Sakai and Michelle Malizaki take the podcast on the road to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Little Tokyo. In this special archival episode,...
Special Presentation: Introducing "Un-History" with Koji Steven Sakai
Koji here. I’m stepping away from our usual schedule for a moment to share a new project I’ve been building in my garage in South Pas.As a screenwriter and producer, I’ve realized that some of the biggest "plot holes" aren't in Hol...
S3E3: The Living Bridge: Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong and the Portland Sakura
It is peak Sakura season in the Pacific Northwest. In this episode of Japanese America, Michelle and Koji beam up to the Rose City to sit down with Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, the Executive Director of the Japanese American Museum of Orego...
Fan Mail
You go Koji... Two thumbs up. Loved it. Give us more. Loved the cultural relevance and something I could relate to.
Cypress, California
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