On September 3, 2022, JANM celebrated the release of the award-winning biography of civil rights leader, Sei Fujii, with a special 10th anniversary screening of the short film “Lil Tokyo Reporter” and a discussion around the biography. The conversation included filmmaker and publisher Jeffrey Gee Chin and Academy Award-winner Chris Tashima, and actress Keiko Agena.

This program was presented in partnership with the Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS).

ABOUT THE BOOK:
“A Rebel’s Outcry: Biography of Issei Civil Rights Leader Sei Fujii (1882-1954)” is an illustrated biography and detailed look into the life of Japanese American civil rights leader Sei Fujii, known for overturning the California Alien Land Law in 1952 and founding the Japanese American newspaper “Kashu Mainichi” (California Daily News). His complex history reveals his intriguing journey as an immigrant, a social justice activist, unionizer, and a community leader. Fujii’s story exemplifies the multitude of ways Americans have and may continue to fight for our civil rights.

The official biography on Sei Fujii is the source material written by author Kenichi Sato and was commissioned by manager Junko Maruya of the “Kashu Mainichi.” Following the work by Sato, LTHS conducted over ten years of extensive research, including interviews with countless community members, Fujii’s family, and visiting his ancestral samurai home in the Takamori Village of Iwakuni, Japan. Publication of this book is sponsored by MUFG Union Bank, UCLA Asian American Studies Center, and the George and Sakaye Aratani Community Advancement Research Endowment.

AVAILABLE AT THE JANM STORE:
“A Rebel’s Outcry: Biography of Issei Civil Rights Leader Sei Fujii (1882-1954)”: https://janmstore.com/products/a-rebe...

“Lil Tokyo Reporter” DVD: https://janmstore.com/products/lil-to...

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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM’s members and donors. Become a member (https://janm.org/membership​) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs and exhibitions like these: https://janm.org/donatenow​. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!

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