About The Museum

The Japanese American National Museum is the only museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The founding of the Museum is a story of high hopes, remarkable achievements, frustration, and ultimately, success. Like the saga of generations of Japanese Americans, it is a story of tenacity. This is that story.

The Museum is a defining moment for Japanese Americans, and another of their contributions to America.

The public opening launched a celebratory inaugural year, a worthy beginning for a long and distinguished history. The Museum now faces new challenges: to serve a national and international audience with exhibits, programs and publications that explore the changing role of Japanese Americans, and how that experience reflects America itself.

The museum was conceived, built and largely financed by Americans of Japanese ancestry. Increasingly, the effort is being joined by other Americans for whom the appeal comes from the similarity to their own stories...In sum, it is an American institution, built by Americans, which has meaning for all of us.