About

We envision a Japantown that inspires respect for the past, embrace of the present, and a commitment to a place and a community that is culturally vibrant, prosperous, safe, inclusive, engaging, and attractive to residents and to visitors.
The Foundation was formed in December 2006 through generous initial endowments by Kintetsu Enterprises of America, the late Jack Hirose and Hats and Amey Aizawa. Major donations have also been made to the Foundation by Minami Tamaki LLP and Union Bank.
Our mission is to support cultural, community and educational activities for San Francisco Japantown. We are dedicated to preserving and honoring Japantown’s history, to welcoming and serving its residents, visitors, businesses, congregations and community organizations, and to supporting the growth and development of the community. In particular, we support activities that reflect the Japanese American experience, and activities that engage Japanese of all generations and all experiences in America.
The Foundation board members are: Donald K. Tamaki, Minami Tamaki LLP (board president); Hats Aizawa; Bob Hamaguchi; Richard Hashimoto, Japantown Merchants Association; Tomoe Horibuchi; Keith Kamisugi; Eiji Miwa; Diane Matsuda; Sandy Mori, Japantown Task Force, Inc.; Jon Osaki; Allen Okamoto, Sakura Matsuri, Inc.; Jerry Ono; and June-Ko Nakagawa, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. The late Jack Hirose was also a founding board member.
Grants and donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law and will be used to fund grants that benefit the Japantown community, its residents, businesses and visitors.
Donations to the Foundation can be made online or payable to
“San Francisco Japantown Foundation” and addressed to:
San Francisco Japantown Foundation
c/o Minami Tamaki LLP
360 Post Street, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
