Salt Lake Japanese American Citizens League

10/14/2026

This is our own Judge Uno's dad... neat this was featured in LIFE magazine.

Two Japanese American Soldiers, visiting their families at the Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming, stand honor guard beside the coffin of Japanese American WW1 veteran Clarence Uno, who passed away while interned there in 1943

Clarence Ihachiro Uno was born in Kanazawa, Japan on August 18, 1895.
He emigrated to the USA in 1911 and settled in Oakland, California where he worked at a nursery.

Clarence enlisted in the US Army in 1918 and sailed with the AEF to France to fight the Germans.
After WW1, he returned to the USA and was honorably discharged in 1919.

Moving to Ogden, Utah in 1923, Clarence worked as a secretary and accountant, in 1926 he married Osaka Teraoka and they had three children.
During his time in Ogden he was active in assisting his countrymen with legal advice and was active in establishing the Ogden Japanese Union church.

Clarence applied for US citizenship under the provisions of an act of congress passed in June 1935 which provided that any immigrant inelligible for citizenship under current law because of racial limitations could become a citizen if they served in WW1.
In 1936, Clarence Uno became Utah's first Japanese naturalized American citizen.

In 1938, Clarence moved the family to El Monte, California where he worked for the San Gabriel Valley Japanese Association.
After the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, their home was searched and belongings were confiscated.

Clarence and his wife Osaka along with their three children were interned at the Heart Mountain Relocation center in Wyoming.
Even then, he took a leading role trying to assist his government and his Japanese American countrymen.

In early 1943 Clarence’s health started to fail and he passed away on January 21, 1943 at the age of 47.
He was given an American Legion funeral service and was buried in his Legion uniform, you can see his overseas cap next to his head.

His widow Osaka passed away at the age of 101 on August 21, 1995.
Clarence Uno’s remains were reburied next to his wife at Salt Lake City Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Many thanks to John Klear for his assistance.

Hansel Mieth Photographer
LIFE Magazine Archives / WWP-PD

10/10/2026

https://kutv.com/news/belonging-in-utah/utahn-spotlights-442nd-army-veterans-life-story

A few envelopes and a sturdy shoebox hold dozens of cream and gray vintage photos of Masao Akiyama.He was a U.S. veteran of Japanese descent who served in the 4

06/04/2026

06/02/2026

POV: You made your miso ball soup that you got from

06/02/2026

✨ Erica Sun-Juršić (they/them) is our Secretary and resident artist. They are a social activist and artist who capture the essence of our chapter and translate it into unique designs. (📣 Stay tuned to see what we will be launching at !!) They balance their creativity with efficiency - as our Secretary, you can find them behind the keyboard diligently taking notes at our board meetings.
🛍️ You are going to be seeing cool stuff coming soon and a lot of it wouldn’t be possible without Erica’s artistry and professionalism! We are so lucky to have them!!
🙌 Side note - will be directly behind our booth at Utah Asian Festival so don’t forget to pop on over and see more of their beautiful work!
👩🏻‍💻 (Bio from website) Erica is a multi-disciplinary artist/engineer based in Salt Lake City, showcasing paintings and visual works through local galleries and events. With a background in science and engineering—including experience in subsea and water treatment industries— they blend technical knowledge with creative expression. Their passion for community organizing centers q***r LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and AAPI voices, with a focus on intersectional justice. As a child of immigrants, they strive to highlight the deep connections between social and environmental issues and how they shape marginalized communities. Outside of that, you’ll find them playing piano, tending to their huge collection of tropical plants, hiking mountains, kayaking lakes, or breaking up fights between their cats. They are also learning land cultivation and sustainable resource practices to live in deeper harmony with the environment.

06/02/2026

MERCH ANNOUNCEMENT!! 📣🗣️

We are so lucky to have an amazing artist ( )on our board who designed these amazing Salt Lake JACL merch designs ! These items will be available in limited quantities at our booth at Utah Asian Festival on JUNE 6th!

✨Available items✨
Totebags, T-Shirts, Sticker Sheets, Magnets, Pins, Bucket Hats, Original AND SPECIAL EDITION SPICY Marumoto Yakitori Sauce, Soot Sprites, Miso Balls and MORE!!

06/01/2026

APRIL AND MAY WORKSHOP RECAP !!

In April we held a Bonsai workshop! We got our hands dirty and everyone got their very own tree! 🌳

In May we learned the art of kintsugi and turned broken pieces of pottery into pieces of art! 🏺

If you missed these workshops don’t worry! Stay tuned we have many more workshops to come!!

05/29/2026

🎫 We hope you got your tickets for tomorrow Friday 5/29 @ 6:30pm. Thank you to for hosting!

Defining Courage is an immersive, live multimedia stage show by Emmy-winning journalist , honoring the heroic but little-known story of the Nisei soldiers (Japanese Americans) who fought for the U.S. in segregated WWII units, showcasing their bravery against prejudice at home and enemies abroad through stunning visuals, music, and eyewitness accounts.

05/24/2026

Thanks to those who joined us today to remember and honor our veterans, and thanks to our church leaders, Scout Troop 442, violinists, and speakers for a lovely program as usual.

05/08/2026

On May 30th at 12 pm we will be making miso balls to sell at the Utah Asian Festival AND celebrating the new addition of our chapter president, Kelly! The registry is also linked in bio! 🍼🍲