Kansha Project Marks 15 Years of Cultural Connection
The Japanese American Citizens League initiative supports Chicago-area youth through historical education and community building.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Asian-American
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The Kansha Project is celebrating its 15th anniversary of connecting Midwestern Japanese American youth with their cultural heritage. Launched in 2011, the initiative facilitates immersive trips to California for participants between 18 and 25 years old.
Why it matters
The program helps Japanese American youth process complex history, including the mass incarceration of their ancestors during World War II. By fostering these connections, the project aims to ensure younger generations understand their community identity and shared history.
The program serves Japanese Americans aged 18 to 25 and incorporates visits to the Manzanar National Historic Site, where 11,070 Japanese Americans were once imprisoned. Less than 10% of Evanston's population identifies as solely Asian.
The players
Japanese American Citizens League
This is a civil rights organization that works to protect and defend the civil and human rights of Japanese Americans and others.
JB Pritzker
He is the current Governor of Illinois who signed legislation mandating Asian American history curricula in state schools.
Adriana Serrano Matsumoto
She is a participant who engaged with the program's cultural history curriculum during the summer of 2026.
Daniel Sanji
He is a past participant who completed the program's educational experience in 2022.
Hannah Arata
She is a past participant who took part in the program's cultural and historical workshops in 2022.
The details
Run by the Chicago chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, the program brings participants to Little Tokyo and the Manzanar National Historic Site to engage with their history. These experiences are designed to foster connections among multiracial and Midwestern Japanese American youth.
Timeline
1941-1945: The U.S. government imprisoned 11,070 Japanese Americans at incarceration camps.
2011: The Kansha Project officially launched.
2021: Gov. JB Pritzker signed the TEAACH Act into law to mandate Asian American history in schools.
2022: Daniel Sanji and Hannah Arata participated in the program.
June 2026: Adriana Serrano Matsumoto participated in the program.
Culture Shift
The Kansha Project extends the educational goals established by the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act into the community space. This initiative marks a shift toward prioritizing intentional, experiential learning about Asian American history beyond the classroom.
For young adults in the Chicago area, the project provides a structured way to explore heritage through travel and shared peer experiences. This can influence how participants engage with local history and their own community identity long after the program concludes.
The takeaway
The Kansha Project demonstrates how direct engagement with historical sites can strengthen cultural identity for young adults. Participants often find that connecting with peers who share similar histories helps bridge the gap between academic learning and personal heritage.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts in our Asian-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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