Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection

NCRR (Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress) emerged as a grassroots movement in 1980, fighting for redress and reparations for Nikkei (Japanese Americans) incarcerated during World War II. Founded by Japanese Americans from across the country, NCRR was first known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. The non-profit organization worked to bring the community together to seek justice for the thousands of Nikkei deprived of their civil rights during World War II. NCRR played a pivotal role in helping former Nikkei incarcerees to testify at the 1981 hearings before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), a Congress-appointed group charged with conducting an official study of the wartime incarceration of Nikkei. NCRR worked together with other Nikkei organizations, individuals, and Congress members towards enacting the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that granted reparations. They also fought to ensure that redress was implemented and campaigned for those that were denied the reparations.

In 2000, the Los Angeles Chapter updated its name to Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress to reflect its ongoing mission. Among the many projects it has undertaken, with the help of grants through the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund (CLPEF), NCRR made available on video, "Speak Out for Justice," the 1981 CWRIC hearings held in Los Angeles. In 2004, NCRR released "Stand Up for Justice," an educational short film of Ralph Lazo, who accompanied his incarcerated Nikkei friends during World War II. In February 2020, NCRR co-chaired and presented in partnership with other organizations the Day of Remembrance 2020, held annually in remembrance of Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans. Today, the organization continues to engage in similar campaigns against injustice and educate the public on wartime injustices.

Janice Yen was born in 1942 in Santa Cruz, California, to Masaharu and Haruko. Shortly after she was born, her family was forcibly removed to the Salinas Fairgrounds and then to the Poston incarceration camp. After leaving Poston in 1944, Janice's family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Janice attended school in Cleveland until her family moved back to San Martin, California, in 1948. Her parents worked as farmers and bought land with other family members in California.

Janice graduated from Live Oak High School and then attended UC Davis before transferring to UC Berkley. She also attended San Jose State College, Columbia University in New York, and UCLA for post-graduate degrees.

Janice became involved with the Little Tokyo People's Rights Organization in 1976 or 1977 as part of the Outreach Committee. She later became part of the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), formally known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. Janice volunteered for various committees while in NCRR, including the Redress and Education committee. She was also the associate producer of the NCRR/Visual Communications docudrama, "Stand Up for Justice," project coordinator for "Speaking Out for Justice" videotapes, and has volunteered for other NCRR positions, including photographer and archivist.