Sean Hamamoto

As the 2013 Nikkei Community Intern, I will be working for the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) and the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) this summer. My work at JANM consists primarily of contributing articles, events, and albums to the Discover Nikkei website; my work with JABA involves the JABA Legacy project which serves to preserve and promote the fabled legends of prominent Nikkei jurists.

Updated July 2013

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The Present: A Gift from the Past to the Future*

By Sean Hamamoto
7 Aug 2013

When all is said and done, and as dust begins to settle over the past eight weeks of a profound educational journey, I realize how beneficial this Nikkei Community Internship has been. To be brief, this has been an amazing learning experience. But to be brief would be to do injustice to all that was absorbed by my mind and heart through this program. And so it begins. Prior to this internship, like many people, I absolutely dreaded Mondays. However, for the past eight weeks, I actually looked forward to the weekend passing so I would be able to go on my Monday office visits to law firms and …

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The JABA Legacy Project: Legal Legends in the Nikkei Community

Janice Fukai: Justice for All

By Sean Hamamoto
5 Aug 2013

As her title suggests, Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender Janice Y. Fukai defends members of the public in court who have been accused of criminal acts. As the Alternate Public Defender, Ms. Fukai heads a county office comprised of 300 employees, including over 200 attorneys who represent criminal defendants that the county’s Public Defender is unable to defend due to conflicts of interest or other reasons. But what is truly respectable and remarkable about her position is that she and her staff help those who need legal assistance but who are unable to afford an attor…

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The JABA Legacy Project: Legal Legends in the Nikkei Community

Rose Ochi: On Selfless Service

By Sean Hamamoto
29 Jul 2013

“You need to, as an organization or as an individual, find ways to support individuals in the community.” This was one of the final remarks made by Rose Ochi, a distinguished attorney and prominent civil rights activist, in this year’s first JABA Legacy Project interview. This profound message was marked with a sense of finality after all that was said before. But to fully understand the meaning of this advice, it is important to learn more about her personal history and career accomplishments. Ms. Ochi’s early life includes memories of the sorrowful internment exp…

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Nikkei Chronicles #2—Nikkei+: Stories of Mixed Language, Traditions, Generations & Race

4-Sei What? That’s Mixed Up

By Sean Hamamoto
19 Jul 2013

At home, I speak Japanese. At school, I speak English. And at times, I speak both. The two languages are thrown in a verbal potpourri few can understand. I am a bilingual, fourth generation Japanese-American. But English is my favorite subject. As you can probably tell, my English and Japanese are often まざってる.1 いつも、 same sentenceで I use both languages.2 Upon typing the previous two sentences, I realized how confusing this concoction can be. It’s easy to hear, but definitely hard to read. Therefore, やるのを I’ll stop.3 By now, most are probably wondering how I am even fluent in spe…

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JABA Legal Clinic: Cures and Connections

By Sean Hamamoto
15 Jul 2013

As the Nikkei Community Intern for the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) and the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), I was given the opportunity to volunteer at JABA’s free legal clinic on Saturday, June 29, 2013. Throughout the year, JABA periodically hosts legal clinics throughout the Los Angeles area; the particular event I went to was fortuitously held at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) in the Crenshaw District. I had long marveled at this society of Japanese American attorneys and judges and was excited at the opportunity to volunteer at this event. …

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Discover Nikkei

Japanese migrants and their descendants

Sean Hamamoto

The JABA Legacy Project: Legal Legends in the Nikkei Community

The JABA Legacy Project: Legal Legends in the Nikkei Community

Nikkei Chronicles #2—Nikkei+: Stories of Mixed Language, Traditions, Generations & Race

Series this author contributes to

Nikkei Chronicles #9—More Than a Game: Nikkei Sports

Fishing Four

Inspire Forward: Nikkei Heroes Under 30

Graziela Tamanaha: Young Leadership and Inspiration in the Brazilian Nikkei Community—Part 1

Jaime Ajito: Ambassador of Nikkei Cuisine

Foujita Discovers the Americas: An Artist's Tour - Part 1

Illinois Japanese Unknown Heroes

Chapter 2 (Part 1): Japanese Acrobats and Entertainers in Chicago: Kumataro Namba and the Tetsuwari Troupe—Introduction: On the Road

My Name is Neal

Journal Entry #50% Interest: "The Usury Tree..."

A Heart to Heart: Carlos Bulosan and Japanese Americans - Part 2

日系（ニッケイ）—をめぐって

第16回 移民を運んだ船の物語「船にみる日本人移民史」から

A Heart to Heart: Carlos Bulosan and Japanese Americans - Part 1

書評：和泉真澄『日系カナダ人の移動と運動―知られざる日本人の越境生活史』

1992年渡米、目標は「アカデミー賞」— 俳優の井上英治さん

Kizuna 2020: Nikkei Kindness and Solidarity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tiempos pandémicos: teletrabajo y koden digital

Kizuna 2020: Nikkei Kindness and Solidarity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 e os heróis anônimos

香川県海外移民の父：今雪真一の情熱と功績

第３部：金子正則知事の南米訪問とその主な見解

Itadakimasu 3! Nikkei Food, Family, and Community

Episode 10

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Chapter 2 (Part 1): Japanese Acrobats and Entertainers in Chicago: Kumataro Namba and the Tetsuwari Troupe—Introduction: On the Road

Journal Entry #50% Interest: "The Usury Tree..."

A Heart to Heart: Carlos Bulosan and Japanese Americans - Part 2

A Heart to Heart: Carlos Bulosan and Japanese Americans - Part 1

Wakaji Matsumoto: An Artist in Two Worlds

Part 1—Wakaji’s Beginnings

Tree of Lemon

Journal Entry #Only 2 Responses: "There's No Maybe..."

Invisible Vision: Roy Wesley’s Reflections on His Book, His Father, and Family History

An Unstoppable Fluttering

Asian American Studies 101: How I Learned Grandpa Was a Badass!

Journal Entry #212° F: "I'm Melting!..."

Yoshinori Matsuyama: A Transnational Japanese Tenor and Composer in America—Part 1

Life in the Tule Lake Stockade

A Day at the Racetrack: Kenneth Rexroth’s Support for Japanese Americans During World War II

A Nisei and Yonsei: The Power of Art & Isshoni - Part 2

Journal Entry #9am Small Talk: "Words, Just Words..."

Chapter 8 (Part 2) —Growth and Decline of Japanese Barbershop Business

Greenwood's 80th Anniversary Commemoration

Maui Taiko

Sansei Granddaughters’ Journey Exhibit at Tanforan Detention Center Site

Part 2—The Explosion: Rapid Destruction and Loss of Life

Kamisama of the Club — Jazz Player James Araki and Bebop in Japan

Chapter 9 (Part 2) — Flourishing Japanese Hotel Businesses

Canadian Nikkei Comfort Food

Ottawa artist Norman Takeuchi: Long Division Exhibition

Journal Entry #2, 4, 6 Year Terms: "Politically Incorrect..."

A Nisei and Yonsei: The Power of Art & Isshoni - Part 1

The Spirit of Shinobu - Part 2

Chapter 8 (Part 1)—Growth and Decline of Japanese Barbershop Business

Teiko Ishida – A Woman of Conviction in the JACL — Part 2

Part 3—The Bomb’s Aftermath, U.S. Occupation, and Finding Love

Coronado Japanese community, a Tea Garden, and a Movie Star

Journal Entry #Mine is from 19XX: "Glory Days...Not..."

Japanese Canadians Remember Internment 80 Years After — Part 2

Chapter 9 (Part 1) — Flourishing Japanese Hotel Businesses

Journal Entry #18 Years or Older: "Please be Rational..."

Douglas Mitsuyuki Ito is the creator of a network that connects young Nikkei from all over Brazil

Butadofu

Tetsu Komai: The Story of The Man You Love to Hate

The Spirit of Shinobu - Part 1

Part 4—U.S. Citizenship, Family, and Brink of Death

Teiko Ishida – A Woman of Conviction in the JACL — Part 1

Journal Entry #35-38% of Americans: *Heavy Sigh*

Two Hawai‘i Soldiers Receive Medal of Honor

第16回移民を運んだ船の物語「船にみる日本人移民史」から

Journal Entry #35-38% of Americans: Heavy Sigh