Purpose & Background

Founded in 1929, the JACL is a national civil and human rights organization with a membership of 24,000 located in 113 chapters throughout the United States. The mission of the JACL is to uphold the civil and human rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry and of all people.

The JACL is commited to educating the public on the history, experience, contributions and current concerns of Americans of Japanese ancestry in the United States. The JACL performs research into the background, current status, problems, accomplishments and aspirations of the Japanese American Community.

As a civil rights organization the JACL has worked to guarantee a just and due process to all persons. The JACL responds to instances of discrimination by both the government and private companies and individuals as well as to negative images of Asian Americans or other groups in the print or electronic media. As part of its commitment to equal rights, the JACL has supported legal affirmative action programs to improve the present effects of past discrimination.