Mission Statement

The mission of the Japanese American National Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.

About

Founded in 1985, the Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. It is located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, California.

We share the story of Japanese Americans because we honor our nation’s diversity. We believe in the importance of remembering our history to better guard against the prejudice that threatens liberty and equality in a democratic society. We strive as a world-class museum to provide a voice for Japanese Americans and a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture.

We promote continual exploration of the meaning and value of ethnicity in our country through programs that preserve individual dignity, strengthen our communities, and increase respect among all people. We believe that our work will transform lives, create a more just America and, ultimately, a better world.

Through the Discover Nikkei Web site, the Japanese American National Museum is able to expand our scope not only in the United States but also throughout the world with particular focus in Latin America, Canada, and Japan. We are committed to developing the Web site and strengthening our global networks through collaborations with organizations and individuals who share the mission of Discover Nikkei.