Japanese American Service Committee Scholarships

Education is highly valued in Japanese culture and tradition. This high regard for education and educational opportunities is firmly rooted in the heritage of Japanese Americans and the mission of the JASC. Service to our community and others is an integral part and core value of the JASC. Education combined with service to others becomes a tool to improve not only ourselves but also our world. An important part of a good education is learning both the value and enjoyment that comes from participation in civic, charitable, and community activities. Such efforts not only help others but serve to remind us of the importance of striving to advance broader societal goals regardless of whether one derives any personal gain other than the satisfaction of improving the world in which we live.

As a part of its efforts to preserve and promote our Japanese heritage and to advance the commitment to community service, the JASC administers an annual scholarship program to support members of the Japanese American community to pursue education beyond high school. These JASC scholarships are intended to provide financial assistance to promising students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and service to the Japanese American community.

We thank the many families and individuals who have donated to fund the scholarships and recognize the people for whom our scholarships have been named, both current scholarships and prior:

• Sam Fukaye Scholarship; Fred Toguri Scholarship; William T. Yamamoto Scholarship; Frank T. Kambara
• Scholarship; Jean E. Taketoshi Scholarship; John (Jun) Iwaoka Scholarship; Dr. Newton K. Wesley Scholarship;
• Taketo (Tak) Tomiyama Scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants must meet each of the following requirements to receive a scholarship from the JASC:

1. Applicants’ family or applicants themselves must have a current JASC membership.
2. Applicants must be enrolled on a full or part-time basis in an accredited school of advanced learning within the 2025-26 academic year.
3. Applicants need not be of Japanese ancestry and need not be a citizen of the United States.
4. Applicants must submit a written application that includes all the required documents listed in the application including a sealed current transcript from their high school or college/university.
5. Awards are distributed to the student upon the applicant providing JASC with proof of enrollment at an accredited school of advanced learning.
6. JASC scholarship winners are limited to receiving a total of two (2) awards in their lifetime; once for undergraduate and once for graduate studies. Previous JASC scholarship winners applying for a second award must demonstrate sustained service to others and exceptional community service.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used in evaluating scholarship applications:

1. Service to and participation in JASC and other Japanese American community events, programs, and projects.
2. While grades are not always indicative of ability, good grades or steady improvement of grades throughout high school suggest the student takes their education seriously. Grades will be considered as a measure of the student’s interest and seriousness in the pursuit of higher education. The student’s coursework and course levels will also be reviewed as an indication of interests and motivation.
3. Participation in extracurricular activities is important and will be considered in evaluating an applicant. Considerations will include the level or degree of the applicant’s commitment, leadership, and accomplishments in the activity.