UCLA Nikkei Student Union

The UCLA Nikkei Student Union (NSU) was founded in 1981 by Ken Minami, Albert Saisho, and Kenji Saisho as an alternative to the Asian fraternities and sororities at the time. The founders of NSU noticed a particular need to address cultural traditions and community service opportunities along with social events. Today, NSU continues its rich tradition and commitment to the Japanese American community through volunteer work at events like Tofu Festival, Chibi-K, and the Little Tokyo Heath Fair. We exemplified this commitment by recently becoming members of the Little Tokyo Community Council, the advisory board on the welfare of Little Tokyo. In addition, NSU's annual Cultural Night continues to touch the lives of its participants and the community as it enters its 41st year. In the storied history of NSU, we see history repeat itself time and time again as we are again working side by side with community groups such as the Little Tokyo Service Center and Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress for common visions, such as the creation of the Little Tokyo recreation Center. Further, the 2001 Spectrum Conference for young Nikkei, organized by INC members, had very similar concepts as the one spearheaded by Claire Kohatsu 9 years earlier. The vision set forth by the founders of NSU will continue only through our work, by continuing the foundation of what our organization was founded upon and responding to the signs of the times and working towards the betterment of the Nikkei community. Just by reading this history, you show that you care. It shows that you care about yourself by making yourself more aware, about NSU, and most importantly, about the future of the Japanese American community.