Program providing leadership development, cultural enrichment,
and opportunities to make lifelong connections2023 Queen & Court
The queen and court are selected at Coronation, one of Nisei Week’s marquee events.
The 2023 Nisei Week Court
(L to R):
Aiko Marie Matsumura Dzikowski (Venice Japanese Community Center & Venice-West Los Angeles JACL), Kamalani Higashiyama (Japanese Restaurant Association of America), Sara Emiko Kubo (East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center), Kaitlyn Emiko Chu (Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council), Nancy Izumi Chin (Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute), Isabella Rose Polizzotto (Gardena Evening Optimist Club), Kaili Mika Inouye (San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center)
Candidate Sponsors
Community centers and organizations across Southern California each sponsor a representative for the Queen and Court program.
East SGV Japanese Community Center
Gardena Evening Optimist Club
Japanese Restaurant Association of America
Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council
Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
Venice Japanese Community Center & Venice-West Los Angeles JACL
LANSCA (Los Angeles and Nagoya Sister City Affiliation)
Los Angeles and Nagoya, Japan became sister cities in 1959 as part of President Eisenhower’s diplomacy program to foster friendships between different international cities. Annually, a goodwill delegation of Los Angeles city officials, community business leaders, and the Nisei Week president and court are invited to attend and participate in the Nagoya Festival.
Sister Festivals
The Nisei Week Japanese Festival has ties to sister festivals including the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival of Hawaii.
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival® is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the biggest on the West coast. Since 1968, the Festival serves to cultivate the continued alliance between Japan and the United States using culture as its bridge.
The Cherry Blossom Festival holds the honor of being one of the longest, continually running ethnic festival in the State of Hawai‘i – originally started in 1953. While times have evolved, the purpose of the Festival continues to be the perpetuation of Japanese culture, and to enrich the lives of young women of Japanese ancestry.
Queen & Court Program
The queen and court program offers young Japanese American women an opportunity to learn about their Japanese heritage, develop their personal and professional skills, and engage with the community.
Community organizations sponsor candidates to participate in this multi-faceted program. Candidates work closely with the Queen Committee and mentors in the community.
During the one-year reign, the Nisei Week court members have the opportunity to gain wide exposure to global dignitaries and local industry leaders and the chance to travel to cities including Nagoya, Japan; San Francisco; and Honolulu, Hawaii to experience the various sister festivals and make life-long connections.
Candidate Interest Form
All Nisei Week candidates must first be sponsored by an organization recognized by the Nisei Week Foundation in order to qualify for the program. A list of current approved sponsors can be found here. For assistance in contacting a sponsor, please complete the form below.
For assistance in contacting a sponsor, please email qc@niseiweek.org. Application periods vary by sponsor, but are typically between December – April.
Time Commitment
To become a Nisei Week queen candidate is a 4-month commitment.
- Training practice is held at night at least once a week for four months, from April through mid-August (Coronation).
- Dance rehearsals are held on additional weekend days/evenings.
- Cultural enrichment classes will be offered as part of the training.
- During the festival, the Nisei Week court will spend the entire week at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Little Tokyo.
Following Coronation, being a part of the Nisei Week court is a YEAR-LONG commitment.
Throughout the year, the Nisei Week Queen and Court will be invited to participate in events including, but not limited to:
- Annual Nisei Week visitation and trips
- Community service
- Community appearances
- Cultural events
- Nisei Week sponsor events
Monetary Commitment
Some personal costs are involved in the training process and as a member of the Nisei Week court. While Nisei Week and your sponsors attempt to offset as much of the cost as possible through donations, there will be personal items candidates/court members will need to purchase. In addition to personal items, any travel expenses during the year will be the responsibility of the court members. Travel expenses for the Nisei Week queen will be sponsored.
Platform
Each candidate will be asked to choose an organization and/or cause they plan to support throughout the year. Explanation of the selected platform and a plan for support may be evaluated as part of the judging criteria.
Candidate Interest Form
Past Queens & Courts
Explore the history of Nisei Week and discover its evolution from inception to present day. This gallery evokes a nostalgic glimpse back in time. Click on a former queen to reveal the court photo.
Alice Watanabe
Renko Oyama
Clara Suski
Margaret Nishikawa
Shizue Narahara
Shizue Kobayashi
Reiko Inouye
Terri Hokoda
Sachi Kazunaga
Aiko Ogomori
Emiko Kato
Judy Sugita
June Aochi
Stella Nakadate
Phyllis Ono
Mitzi Miya
Jean Yasui
Faith Higurashi
Penny Tani
Dianne Kubota
France Yanai
Helen Funai
Sandy Saito
Carol Kunitsugu
Ruby Komai
Joanne Uehara
Claire Nonoshita
Toni Sakamoto
Joann Uyemura
Joyce Kikuchi
Carol Matsunaga
Cheryl Kawakami
Elisa Cuthbert
Dulcie Ogi
Sandra Toshiyuki
Loris Kurashige
Lisa Yamamoto
Jeanne Nakagama
Hedy Posey
Frances Shima
Janet Barnes
Tracy Isawa
Tamlyn Tomita
Tish Okabe
Jennifer Ahn
LeeAnne Sera
Karen Uchizono
Sandra Fukushima