The JACL has many members who have family and friends who reside in Japan, including members of the JACL Japan Chapter.  We have been in contact with the White House, Japan Embassy and Consuls General, and partner Japanese American organizations regarding relief efforts and information on locating family members living or traveling in Japan.

Donation and Relief Effort Information

The JACL encourages its members to participate in the relief effort by making cash donations for the victims of the destruction.  The JACL joins with the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), which has set up a relief fund. Contributions may be made to the fund by making checks payable to "JCCCNC" with a notation that it is for the "Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund." Mail checks to: JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. Please do not send goods or food. The JCCCNC is a community partner and neighbor to JACL Headquarters.

In addition, contributions may be made online.  The U.S. State Department has suggested donating at interaction.org where you can direct where contributions are allocated. You can also donate through the Red Cross. Text "RedCross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

Information on Finding Friends and Family

Facebook has become a resource to receive information about loved ones in Japan.  If you are trying to locate a family or friend who is a U.S. Citizen, the U.S. State Department has created two e-mails to locate "missing persons."  To locate someone who is a U.S. citizen and currently visiting Japan, please e-mail: japanemergencyusc@state.gov.  To locate someone who is within a region that may be affected by the tsunami, please email: pacifictsunamiusc@state.gov.  Also, Senator Barbara Boxer of California has provided a staff person to contact for help.  You may call Adolfo Bailon in Senator Boxer's office at 213-894-5000.

Members of the JACL are relieved as they receive word that family members and friends residing or visiting in Japan are safe.  Many have called the JACL offices asking how they could help.  We are grateful for the care and concern offered for victims of this disaster.  We continue to hope and pray for the thousands who remain missing. 

Founded in 1929, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the oldest and largest Asian

American civil rights organization concerned with issues of education, public policy and leadership development. As a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, the JACL promotes public awareness about the history and achievements of Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI), identifies and trains youth for leadership and service, and pursues public policy issues that affect the AAPI community. The JACL headquarters is located in San Francisco with additional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C.