Welcome to JACL Dayton
The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose mission is to safeguard the civil and human rights of Japanese Americans and all who are affected by injustice and bigotry.
The JACL also works to promote and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American Community.
DAYTON JACL REPRESENTED AT OHIO STATEHOUSE RALLY ON SEPTEMBER 27:
RALLY AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY PROPERTY BILLS HB1 AND SB88
Photos by Toledo Free Press photographer Allyson Ritchey
Over 200 Ohioans gathered at the Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, to oppose House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88 on September 27.
Dayton JACL Chapter President Don Hayashi was a speaker. He told of the Japanese American experience of World War II and how his own grandfather was one of many prohibited from owning land by the Alien Land Laws of California. The proposed Ohio bills, revive the same type of property ownership restrictions imposed on individuals and businesses based on national origin, making it nearly impossible for many immigrants and immigrant-owned businesses to own property in Ohio, threatening livelihoods, driving away investment, and harming the state’s economy.
Host organizations include the Asian American Coalition of Ohio, Justice for Ohio, and the Ohio Chinese American Association. Co-sponsors include the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Chinese Assn. of Greater Toledo, OCA-Asian American Advocates of Greater Cleveland, and the Cincinnati and Dayton Chapters of JACL.
DAYTON ART INSTITUTE:
THEMES IN YOSHITOSHI’S 100 ASPECTS OF THE MOON
Dayton Art Institute – Gallery 105
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton
Mystery & Magic, NOW –October 19 | Gallery 105
Love & Longing, October 25–January 25, 2026 | Gallery 105.
The Japanese woodblock prints of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon are the culmination of the artist’s career. Issued as individual prints from 1885–1892, the series is a tour-de-force, combining diverse, striking designs with dramatic historical and mythical stories from Japan’s past. Drawing a selection from the DAI’s complete set, the exhibition is being presented in three installments, each focusing on a different theme in the series.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japanese, 1839–1892), Mount Yoshino midnight-moon – Iga no Tsubone, 1886, woodblock print, ink and color on paper. Museum purchase with funds provided by Jack Graef Jr., Linda Stein, Susan Shettler and their families in memory of Jack and Marilyn Graef, 2019.9.71
THANK YOU FOR COMING!
2025 DAYTON CHAPTER JACL - ANNUAL PICNIC
INFLUENCE(D): FEMALE INNOVATORS IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE DESIGN
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM:
Cincinnati Art Museum – Gallery 136
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
NOW through January 11, 2026
Highlighting the work of 10 contemporary Japanese female artists who are challenging the boundaries of design in ceramics and fashion, this multimedia special feature explores their exceptional achievements through the lens of influence. Each artist simultaneously has influence—through their cultivation of distinctive practices, techniques, and philosophies—and is influenced, drawing inspiration from their teachers and peers, their surroundings and the natural world, and even their own rich interior lives.
Ritual Form of Inspiration, 2016, Tomita Mikiko (Japanese, b. 1972), glazed porcelain, Lent by the Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection, L11.2024, © Tomita Mikiko, Photography by Makoto Omotaka
SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
2025 JAPAN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
2025 SCC students experience summer yukatas in Yamaguchi
Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate on Miyajima Island
Sinclair students collaborating with their Japanese counterparts on the final project
Obon dancing
Ten students from Sinclair Community College were hosted for 13 days in May by Yamaguchi Prefectural University for the 2025 Global Student Exchange Program.
This annual Sinclair trip allows students to experience in person what they have only seen from TV, video games, or movies, providing a unique understanding of cross-cultural topics, behaviors, and perspectives for both American and Japanese students. Sinclair Community College looks forward to continuing this valuable program for the young adults who will continue our human journey.
Sinclair College is recruiting students to study abroad in Japan in May 2026!
The Dayton JACL has made a scholarship contribution.
If others wish to donate, please contact Don Hayashi.
Final presentation on the auto industry
Sinclair students experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony
2025 A WORLD A’FAIR:
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!!!
Many, many thanks to our volunteers that made the Japan booth a big success! We hope you enjoyed being a part of the World A’Fair celebration. 31 cultures were represented, all working together in this festival, and offering hope for peace in our world.
2026 A WORLD A’FAIR - THE 50TH FESTIVAL:
“FIFTY YEARS OF UNITY AND DIVERSITY”
COMING MAY 1-3, 2026 AT THE GREENE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
The Dayton JACL has participated in every festival so far!
ANTI-ASIAN HARASSMENT
WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE IN PUBLIC SPACE
If you have witnessed or experienced harassment: micro-aggressions, bullying, hate speech, or violence please help us to document.
The more information we have, the better we can respond and prevent further incidents from occurring.
REPORTING (through Stop AAPI Hate)
DAYTON JACL (contact us)
Help create safe public space by supporting each other when we’re harassed.
Learn the 5 Ds of Bystander Intervention: Distract, Delegate, Delay, Direct, Document
About JACL
Founded in 1929, the Japanese American Citizens League is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. The JACL is composed of over 100 chapters across the country, including the Dayton Chapter.
Following the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans from the West Coast during World War II, many Nikkei (emigrants and their descendants) relocated to the Midwest, including Dayton, Ohio, where leaders of the Council of Churches helped Japanese Americans find housing and jobs. In 1949, the Dayton chapter of the JACL was organized.
Today, many Midwesterners are unaware of the history and experiences of Japanese Americans. The Dayton chapter sponsors programs to broaden understanding and appreciation of our history and its relevance today, reaching out into the broader community to promote civil rights, justice, and peace.
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Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
daytonjacl@gmail.com
Phone
(937) 890-2729 Don
Address
Dayton JACL 1133 Woodland Meadows Dr. Vandalia, OH 45377