Welcome by Akemi Kikumura Yano (Akemi Kikumura Yano at "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Akemi Kikumura Yano, President & CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, opened the program by welcoming the audience and then introduced Gil Asakawa.
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Akemi Kikumura Yano at "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Akemi Kikumura Yano, President & CEO of the Japanese American National Museum at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

The program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Presentation by Kenji Taguma, Nichi Bei Weekly (Kenji G. Taguma at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Presentation by Kenji G. Taguma about the history of the Nichi Bei Times and the creation and transition to the non-profit Nichi Bei Foundation and Nichi Bei Weekly.
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Kenji G. Taguma at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Kenji G. Taguma, an award-winning journalist, is Editor-in-Chief of Nichi Bei Weekly and President of Nichi Bei Foundation. He has served as the English section editor of the Nichi Bei Times since 1995.

This is video of his presentation from the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

In the clip, Gil Asakawa introduces Taguma who gives a presentation about the history of the newspaper from its founding by Kyutaro Abiko, postwar years, and up to current day, including efforts to cover important issues to the community. He also discussed the establishment of the nonprofit Nichi Bei Foundation to publish the Nichi Bei Weekly after the Nichi Bei Times closed.

*This program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, made possible with major funding by The Nippon Foundation.

Presentation by Gwen Muranaka, The Rafu Shimpo (Gwen Muranaka presentation at "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Presentation by Gwen Muranaka, English editor of Los Angeles-based bilingual newspaper, The Rafu Shimpo.

In her presentation, Muranaka talks about The Rafu Shimpo's current efforts to stay relevant through their website and social media via Facebook and Twitter, and video.
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Gwen Muranaka presentation at "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Gwen Muranaka is the English editor of The Rafu Shimpo. In this video clip, she gives a presentation about the Los Angeles-based Rafu Shimpo's current efforts to stay relevant through their website and social media via Facebook and Twitter, and video, at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

Historical Overview by Gil Asakawa (Gil Asakawa presentation at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Gil Asakawa presented a historical overview of Nikkei community newspapers, starting with the early Issei pioneers and their efforts to serve immigrant communities, the introduction of English language sections and publications to serve the growing Nisei (2nd generation) population, and Japanese American journalists' efforts during and after World War II, up to present-day, including recent efforts to share news about the Tohoku earthquake in Japan on March 11.
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Gil Asakawa presentation at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Gil Asakawa's historic overivew of Nikkei community newspapers at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

In the clip, Akemi Kikumura Yano (President & CEO of the Japanese American National Museum) introduces Asakawa who writes about pop culture and politics from an Asian American and Japanese American perspective on his blog, nikkeiview.com. 

Asakawa who served as presenter and moderator for the program, introduces the program and then presents a historical overview of Nikkei community newspapers, starting with the early Issei pioneers and their efforts to serve immigrant communities, the introduction of English language sections and publications to serve the growing Nisei (2nd generation) population, and Japanese American journalists' efforts during and after World War II, up to present-day, including recent efforts to share news about the Tohoku earthquake in Japan on March 11.

* This program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, made possible with major funding by The Nippon Foundation.

Presentation by Shigeharu Higashi, Cultural News (Shigeharu Higashi at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Presentation by Shigeharu Higashi about why he started Cultural News in 1998 and how he changed its focus to sharing about Japanese culture and events in Los Angeles.
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Shigeharu Higashi at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Shigeharu Higashi is the publisher and editor of Cultural News.

In this clip, Gil Asakawa introduces Shigeharu Higashi for his presentation at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

In his presentation, Higashi talks about Cultural News which he started in 1998. He shared why he decided to start an English-language publication, initially for the local Japanese-speaking audience, and then why he changed his focus to sharing about Japanese culture and events. He also talks about the use of internet and technology to sharing information about the earthquake and relief efforts in Japan.

* This program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, made possible with major funding by The Nippon Foundation. 

Presentation by George Johnston, Nikkei Nation (George Toshio Johnston at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Presentation by George Toshio Johnston about his background and experience in journalism, especially in Nikkei media, and how it led to his establishing an online-only Nikkei specific news site, NikkeiNation.net.
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George Toshio Johnston at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Video clip of George Toshio Johnston, the founder of NikkeiNation.net, at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

Johnston has an extensive background as a writer/editor including stints with the Pacific Citizen, Orange County Register, the Hollywood Reporter, and Yolk Magazine, among others. He is currently a media columnist for The Rafu Shimpo, and started the Nikkei Nation website to utilize the potential of the internet to reach audiences.

* This program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, made possible with major funding by The Nippon Foundation. 

Panel Discussion / Q & A / Closing remarks (Panel Discussion / Q & A / Closing remarks at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program)

Discussion with the panelists moderated by Gil Asakawa, including questions and comments from the audience, with closing remarks by Darryl Mori of the Japanese American National Museum.

Topics covered included the various publications' coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as local relief efforts; the viability of Nikkei media and the closing of some longtime newspapers in recent years; how can they change to be relevant to younger demographics without alienating older generations; use and role of social media.

Asakawa also introduced other journalists in the audience: Jeffrey Kimoto, publisher & editor for "Nikkei West" (Northern California) and the print editor for the Buddhist Churches of America's "Wheel of Dharma" publication; and J.K. Yamamoto, former English editor of the "Hokubei Mainichi" (San Francisco), current writer for "The Rafu Shimpo." A discussion about the loyalty and involvement of the community included Iku Kiriyama, who had organized a "Save the Rafu" community forum.
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Panel Discussion / Q & A / Closing remarks at the "From Newsprint to New Media" program

Panel discussion and Q&A at the public program, "From Newsprint to New Media: The Evolving Role of Nikkei Newspaper," on April 2, 2011 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum.

In this clip, Gil Asakawa moderates a discussion with Gwen Muranaka (The Rafu Shimpo), Kenji Taguma (Nichi Bei Foundation / Nichi Bei Weekly), Shigeharu Higashi (Cultural News), and George Toshio Johnston (Nikkei Nation). The discussion included questions and comments from the audience.

The discussion included topics such as the various publications' coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as local relief efforts; the viability of Nikkei media and the closing of some longtime newspapers in recent years; how can they change to be relevant to younger demographics without alienating older generations; use and role of social media.

Asakawa also introduced other journalists in the audience: Jeffrey Kimoto, publisher & editor for "Nikkei West" (Northern California) and the print editor for the Buddhist Churches of America's "Wheel of Dharma" publication; and J.K. Yamamoto, former English editor of the "Hokubei Mainichi" (San Francisco), current writer for "The Rafu Shimpo." A discussion about the loyalty and involvement of the community included Iku Kiriyama, who had organized a "Save the Rafu" community forum. 

The program closed with Darryl Mori, Vice President JANM, thanking the program participants, partners, and sponsors.

* This program was organized by Discover Nikkei, a project that provides opportunities to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. The program was presented by the Japanese American National Museum with The Rafu Shimpo, Nichi Bei Foundation/Nichi Bei Weekly, Cultural News, and Nikkei Nation. Sponsored by DCA, LA County Arts, and The Nippon Foundation.

Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, made possible with major funding by The Nippon Foundation.