Kenjinkai Publications

Kenjinkais, that is, Japanese prefectural associations, were formed by the Issei, who immigrated from the same prefectures in Japan. Although the associations were politically active at one time when competing for the seats of the Japanese Associations, "Nihonjinkais," which functioned as a proxy for the Japanese government in the United States, kenjinkais mainly served as mutual aid societies in the community. They provided services to meet Japanese immigrants' needs, bringing together the people who shared the same dialects and lifestyles in their hometowns, promoting the community network to support businesses and hiring, aiding the people struggling from hardships, and coordinating funerals for the members who had no family in the U.S. The first kenjinkai established in Southern California was the Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai in 1899, and other earlier kenjinkais emerged between 1904 and 1915. Their auxiliary women's societies and youth groups followed, enhancing the network and supporting educational programs.

While the Nisei and the Sansei played a central role in the community, reestablishing their lives after the war, kenjinkais' activities declined initially. In the 1950s, kenjinkais were revitalized, responding to the community's needs. They sponsored social events for the community as the Issei were aging and became nostalgic and strongly desired to be united with their friends sharing the same roots. While post-war Japan was struggling from the war damage and devastation, kenjinkais provided their hometowns with disaster relief aids and supported the postwar Japanese immigrants from their prefectures.

Decades later, the Japanese American community has transformed and the community demographics have changed. The number of Japanese immigrants to the United States remains low. Kenjinkais have been transformed accordingly, inviting members in a broader scope and shifting their original missions to fostering the U.S.-Japan friendship by promoting cultural exchanges among the youth and providing disaster relief funds when affected. They have offered scholarships to the youth so that they can be involved in kenjinkais' activities and recognize their ancestors' homelands.

南加県人会協議会 Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California is a federation of kenjinkais which was initiated by Consul General Toshiro Shimanouchi of Japan in 1964 to promote communication and collaboration among them. As of 2023, 39 prefectures among 47 prefectures in Japan exist in the Southern California.