JASC - Japanese American Service Committee

Introducing JASC’s new series: Community Spotlight!🌟

Through this series, we’ll introduce you to the people, guests, and community members who are sharing their passions, pursuing meaningful work, and making an impact in Chicago and beyond.

We’ll share their stories, celebrate what they’ve accomplished, highlight what they’re working on now, and follow along as they take their next steps.

For our first Community Spotlight, meet Ryosuke Kawamura, a Japanese exchange student from Kyushu University who spent a year studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

During his exchange year, a connection through the USJC Annual Conference led Ryosuke to JASC, where he found an opportunity to connect with people across generations and backgrounds, learn more about the Japanese American community, and explore historical materials in JASC’s Legacy Center.

As Ryosuke reflects, his experience at JASC helped make his time in Illinois “broader, richer, and more fulfilling.”

Read Ryosuke’s full story on our website and learn more about his experience with JASC!

The time is now - Defining Courage is this Sunday! Don't miss DEFINING COURAGE when it comes to Chicago for its only Midwest performance.

This powerful production shares the untold stories of the Nisei soldiers who became some of America's most decorated WWII servicemembers while their families were incarcerated in U.S. camps. The stories of the Nisei soldiers continue to leave a lasting impact across generations.

Defining Courage is an immersive live multimedia experience honoring the legacy of the Nisei soldiers — Japanese Americans who served in segregated WWII military units while their families faced incarceration and discrimination at home. Through eyewitness accounts, stunning visuals, and live original music, the production brings these extraordinary yet often overlooked stories to life.

Featuring Emmy Award-winning journalist David Ono alongside Grammy-winner Daniel Ho, songwriter Harold Payne, and the RAISE Choir, this powerful performance reflects on sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring impact of those who fought for a country that did not always recognize them as fully American.

Take 20% off ticket prices with promo code COURAGE at checkout!

We had an amazing time serving as the Community Spotlight at this year’s Chicago Stars Japanese Heritage Day! ⚽️🇯🇵

With the lake breeze, great game-day atmosphere, and plenty of Hello Kitty fans, it was a wonderful afternoon celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture with the community. 💙

A special shoutout to for their incredible performances throughout the day! They brought so much excitement to the celebration while sharing a powerful and joyful display of Okinawan culture and tradition. We loved experiencing their performances alongside the community!

Visitors stopped by our table to write their names in Japanese, learn more about JASC, and show off sports- and Japanese American-themed temporary tattoos during the game.

Thank you to for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to share more about JASC and our work in the community—and to everyone who stopped by our table to say hello! We loved meeting you! 🙌

Join us for an Introductory Japanese Calligraphy Class this month! 🖌️🇯🇵

Perfect for complete beginners, this relaxed and welcoming workshop will introduce participants to the beautiful art of 書道 (shodō), or Japanese calligraphy.

Learn from a professional as you explore the fundamentals of Japanese calligraphy, including basic brush techniques and how to write Japanese characters. No prior experience or Japanese language knowledge is necessary!

✨ All materials are included with your registration, so just come ready to learn and create.
📅 September 25, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 JASC | 5700 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
💲 Members: $25/class
💲 Non-Members: $35/class

Whether you're interested in Japanese culture, looking to try something new, or simply want to enjoy a creative evening, we hope you'll join us! 🌸

Space is limited—register today: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261326114224142

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we celebrate and thank the many people whose hard work, dedication, and contributions help strengthen our communities every day.

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday weekend! ❤️

JASC will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

🍂🏃‍♀️ Make This Fall Unforgettable for Your Kids! 🏐🍙

Looking for an exciting and memorable day camp experience? Join us at JASC for our Fall Sports Day Camp: Aki no Undokai!

Campers will team up for traditional Japanese sports day games, create their own onigiri bento lunch, and experience the fun and power of teamwork in a supportive environment.

We’re also excited to welcome a very special guest: Kana Kendziera, former member of Japan’s national volleyball team! 🏐 Kana will join our young athletes for a day of hands-on coaching and inspiration while sharing her passion for using sports to build cross-cultural connections.

📅 Monday, October 12
⏰ 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 JASC | 5700 N. Lincoln Ave.
👧👦 For children ages 6–14
💲 JASC Members: $80 | Non-Members: $90
👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling discount available
🍙 Lunch and snacks included

Give your child the chance to play, learn, make new friends, and experience a Japanese-style sports day this fall!

✨ Registration is now open on our website!

JASC will be hosting a vaccine clinic on Thursday, September 24, 2026, offering flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

🗓️ September 24
🕚 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
📍 JASC
Open to the community

RSVP is required so we can ensure we have enough vaccine doses available.

📋 Please complete the Walgreens Vaccine Consent Form and email your completed form to [email protected] by September 22. Paper forms are also available at the JASC office.

👉 Sign up for the vaccine clinic: https://tinyurl.com/y39d2dfs

Insurance note: Vaccines for those 65+ are covered by Medicare/Medicaid. Uninsured individuals may have an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $78. Vaccines for those 64 and under may be available at no cost through Walgreens’ coverage program for uninsured individuals.

🍝🇯🇵 Discover Wafu-Italian—Japan’s Beloved Everyday Comfort Food!

Did you know that Japanese-style Italian food, known as Wafu-Italian, is a popular part of everyday dining in Japan? 🍅🍝 From home cooking to restaurants across the country, this delicious fusion brings together the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine and the savory umami of Japanese ingredients.

For this month’s JASC Cooking Class, we’re stepping away from traditional Japanese dishes to explore this modern culinary favorite! The best part? Wafu-Italian dishes are simple, quick to make, and use ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.

Come learn how to bring these comforting Japanese-inspired flavors to your own kitchen—and make your next dinner something special!

📅 Sunday, September 13
🕓 4:00–6:30 PM
✨ Reserve your spot today! Visit our website to learn more and register.