70 Years of Godzilla, 80 Years of JASC

Special Film Screening

In 2026, the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) proudly celebrates its 80th anniversary—marking eight decades of service, cultural exchange, and community building.

To honor this milestone, JASC is partnering with Doc Films at the University of Chicago, the nation’s oldest collegiate film society, to present a special commemorative screening on May 9th. This event highlights the enduring legacy of Godzilla as a cinematic icon and cultural touchpoint that has connected audiences across Japan and the United States for generations.

Guests are invited to elevate their experience with a special ticket + bento package, featuring a limited-edition Godzilla-themed meal and drink. The first 100 Godzilla bento purchases will also receive a free custom-designed bag and sticker, created by 2drestaurant.

This event is sponsored by The Brothers Valauskas and 2d Restaurant. Proceeds will benefit the Japanese American Service Committee, celebrating 80 years of preserving and raising awareness of Japanese American culture and heritage to the greater multicultural community of Chicago.

Tickets are limited, and advance purchase is strongly encouraged. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating film, history, and community.



Cranes & Cocktails is this month! 

There's still time to get your tickets and participate in our Fine Dine Raffle for a chance to win an elegant dining experience for two.

Support JASC while enjoying an exciting evening of engaging company, delicious food, award presentations, a silent auction, and more. All proceeds provide support and expand our cultural programming, social services, and the Legacy Center initiatives.



JASC Partners with the Field Museum for Shared Stories, Shared Future: An Educator Symposium on AANHPI Histories

This event celebrates the culmination of a three-year journey exploring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) histories and stories through education, community partnerships, and museum learning.

The event will feature a screening of Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, a film by JJML Productions, followed by a panel discussion with educators and young advocates who helped champion the TEAACH Act in Illinois. Breakout sessions, cultural activation stations, and cultural performances to follow. Field Museum Connections: AANHPI stories and the TEAACH Act programming is made possible with the generous support of the Cyrus Tang Foundation.

Event details:

May 1 - May 2, 2026

May 1 - Reception at JASC from 5:30-7:30 pm

May 2 - Full Symposium at Field Museum from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Ticket Price: $100

We encourage all educators to attend this special symposium to learn more about how to implement AANHPI histories in your curriculum!

This symposium consists of two days.

Spring Session 2 begins next week!

Spring Session 1 wraps up this Saturday, April 11! Spring Session 2 begins the following Saturday, and registration is now open—we’d love to have you join us.

Please note that there will be no Taiko class this Saturday, April 11. Taiko will resume on April 18 for the final session, completing the five special sessions with AIRMW Tsukasa Taiko.

We are currently exploring the possibility of offering a Japanese-only Tampopo Class for children ages 3–5, conducted entirely in Japanese.

To help us determine interest and identify the most convenient day and time for families, we invite you to share your input through a brief survey.



We would greatly appreciate your participation!

May Adult Cooking Class

This workshop is your 'starter pack' for Japanese soul food—perfect for beginners looking to master the essentials of the bento box!

Join one of our Ikebana classes!

Sign up today to claim your spot in a relaxing, interactive class that will introduce you to the art of Ohara style flower arranging. Let's welcome April together with new blooming masterpieces!

No previous experience required!

Beginners are encouraged to join!

More dates coming soon.

Join us for Origami & Snacks! 

Celebrate Children’s Day on May 5 (3:30–5:30 PM) at the JASC After School Open House.

This free family event features hands-on origami and Japanese treats. 

Please note that this is not a drop-off event—we’d love for families to participate and explore our space together!

Click below to RSVP!  

Cranes for Peace Project

A new project has been launched by the Japanese Culture Center and the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, and the Japanese American Service Committee is proud to be a partner!

We’re setting a goal to fold over 1,000 origami cranes to contribute to this collaborative art project—and we’re calling on our community to help us reach it.

You can participate by:

• Folding cranes at home (please leave wings up and unfolded for storage)
• Joining upcoming folding workshops at JASC, where we’ll provide the origami paper and guidance

If you’d like to drop off your folded cranes at JASC, please contact Ruby at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org, and we’ll make sure they are transported to the Japanese Culture Center.

This project is inspired by former President Barack Obama’s historic 2016 visit to Hiroshima, where he met with students and offered hand-folded paper cranes as a symbol of peace, remembrance, and a future free of nuclear conflict. Together, communities across Chicago are working to fold 10,000 cranes for a large-scale installation to be displayed at a Chicago cultural institution in 2027.

Click below to learn more about the project and how to participate!

JASC Youth Volunteer Meeting

Our youth volunteers are getting hands-on with the Cranes for Peace Project during their meeting! 🕊️

They’re helping fold cranes to contribute to a collaborative display for the city of Chicago—and you can join in too.

Come learn the art of the crane and help us build this beautiful symbol of peace!

A big thank you to our Youth volunteers for volunteering during our last Soup & Rice of the season. 

It was a wonderful turnout, and we are so grateful for our community’s spirit and generosity!

Our volunteers worked hard making onigiri and vegetable miso soup, but the support didn't stop there.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the setup and cleanup. It was a truly beautiful day of food and fellowship!

On May 6th, 2026, the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition (PAVE) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (AAAJ-C) are holding our 13th Asian American Action Day at the State Capitol in

Springfield, IL.

This year, PAVE is heading to Springfield to protect our democracy. We continue to step up to do our part, despite the direct attacks on our communities. We call on Illinois leaders to courageously do the same. Protect Our Futures.

This year, PAVE is fighting to:

Protect Health Benefits for Immigrants

Hold Enforcement Accountable

Protect Immigrant Data

Create Opportunities for Post-Conviction Relief

Fund Immigrant Services

Increase Access to Justice

Fund Inclusive History

Pass Progressive Revenue Solutions

Protect the Community Care Program

Fund Faith by Plate

We leave at 6am, lobby and rally from 10am-2pm, and return to Chicago at 7pm. Register via the link below by April 29th!

Join us for the next Nihongo Table!

Nihongo Table is JASC’s new monthly Japanese language & culture meetup designed to be low-pressure, social, and fun. Whether you’re learning Japanese, thinking about starting, or simply love Japanese culture, you’re welcome here.

Each session features a theme of the month and may include casual conversation practice, games, crafts, mini cultural activities, and plenty of conversation starters to help everyone feel comfortable. No experience required—just curiosity! Japanese tea and snacks will be provided.

Join us for a relaxed, judgment-free space to practice, connect, and enjoy Japanese culture with others.

The next Meet-up will be on April 23, 2026!



If you have any questions, please reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org

We’re excited to explore launching the JASC Garden Club, a new community gardening program that brings together hands-on learning, Japanese culture, and wellness through nature.

This program is designed for all ages—from preschool and youth participants to adults and seniors—and will offer opportunities to grow plants, learn new skills, and connect with others in a meaningful way.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just curious to learn, we’d love to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey and help shape this program. 🌱

Japanese Conversation Table:

Thursday, May 7, 2026

5月の日本語お話会は5月7日（木）です

開催日：5月7日

開催時間：午後12:00から2:00まで

参加費：１人/１回10ドル

日本語で交流したい方へのお知らせです。（日本語の会話クラスではありません。）

普段あまりほかの方との交流のない方、一人でお住まいの方、思いっきり日本語でおしゃべりしてみませんか？

楽しい話題や暮らしのアイデアを分け合い、ちょっとした悩みや不安など、皆で話し合えば解決法がでてくるかも知れません。いろいろなことを日本語で話し合い、英語社会で溜まったストレスを解消しましょう。

このプログラムに興味のある方、参加したいと思われる方は、Eメールで川口ケイclasses@jasc-chicago.org とルビー・グリリエー rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org

または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。

Calling all native Japanese speakers to our monthly gathering of fellowship and connection with other native Japanese speakers! Please note this is not a Japanese language class but rather a time for fellowship while speaking in fluent Japanese.



Date: Thursday, May 7, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Cost: $10 per person, per session

Location: JASC 5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL 60659

JASC's Conversation Table welcomes everyone to share their experiences, ideas, and stories through social interaction and offers an opportunity to expand their social networks with others in the local community.

If you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Kay Kawaguchi by email at classes@jasc-chicago.org or call her at 773-275-0097 x 226 and leave a message to RSVP. Kay can answer any questions about the program in Japanese or in English. You may also reach out to Ruby Grillier at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org

JASC’s Adult Day Services provides older adults with a safe, engaging environment that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through customized care plans and daily activities like art, music, and dance. Located at 5700 N. Lincoln Ave., our program also offers respite for family caregivers and the added support of two on-staff Registered Nurses.

Interested in Adult Day Services?



For more information, you can contact us:

• Adult Day Services, 773-275-7212, seniors@jasc-chicago.org. 
• Home Support Services, 773-275-0097 x223, hss@jasc-chicago.org

We urge prospective clients and their families to tour our new facility on 5700 N Lincoln Ave and check out this wonderful program.

In the summer of 2023, Knox College offered a summer course on the history of Japanese Americans in Chicago. The Japanese language instructor (Natsumi Hayashi) taught the class and worked closely with many in the community (see acknowledgement list pasted below): 

"Donny Anderson, Bill Bohlman, Nobuko Chikamatsu, Takako Day, Jason Finkelman, Stephanie Hinnershitz, Karen Kanemoto, Carol Ruth Kimmel, Sawako Kojima, Emma Saito Lincoln, Erik Matsunaga, Rich McLaughlin, Jean Mishima, Ron Miyamura, Alice Murata, Brand D. Nakashima and the Nakashima family, Ruby Tsuji, Ayako Yoshimura, Noriko Taira Yasohama, Buddhist Temple of Chicago, Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, Japanese Mutual Aid Society, Japanese American Service Committee, Lakeside Church of Chicago, Midwest Buddhist Temple, The University of Chicago Library, and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At Knox, we extend our gratitude to Jennifer Andrella, Weihong Du, Todd Heidt, Michael Joseph, Erin Newton, Michael Schneider, and Asian Studies Program."

Natsumi Hayashi recently wrote an article in Japanese about her teaching experience, titled "Japanese American History in Chicago: Revisiting Immersion Learning and its Challenges: Potential for Interdisciplinary Language Education 「シカゴの日系人史」：イマージョン・ラーニングの再検討とその課題：学際的言語教育の可能性 in Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the Central Association of Teachers of Japanese (CATJ30)

Click below to read the article - please note that it is in Japanese (日本語)