Program providing leadership development, cultural enrichment, and opportunities to make lifelong connections
2021 Queen & Court
The queen and court are selected at Coronation, one of Nisei Week’s marquee events.
The 2021 Nisei Week Court (from left to right): Princess Michelle Toshiko Murakami, Japanese Restaurant Association of America; Princess Kiyoko Alicia Nakatsui, Gardena Evening Optimist; First Princess Brianne Mari Yasukochi, Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute; Nisei Week Queen Jaime Sunny Hasama, Venice Japanese Community Center & Venice-West Los Angeles JACL; Miss Tomodachi Kiyomi Arimitsu Takemoto, East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center; and Princess Kendra Alana Motoyasu, San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
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. For more information, please see the 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.
1930s
Alice Watanabe
Renko Oyama
Clara Suski
Margaret Nishikawa
Shizue Narahara
1940s
Shizue Kobayashi
Reiko Inouye
Terri Hokoda
1950s
Sachi Kazunaga
Aiko Ogomori
Emiko Kato
Judy Sugita
June Aochi
Stella Nakadate
Phyllis Ono
Mitzi Miya
Jean Yasui
Faith Higurashi
1960s
Penny Tani
Dianne Kubota
France Yanai
Helen Funai
Sandy Saito
Carol Kunitsugu
Ruby Komai
Joanne Uehara
Claire Nonoshita
Toni Sakamoto
1970s
Joann Uyemura
Joyce Kikuchi
Carol Matsunaga
Cheryl Kawakami
Eliza Cuthbert
Dulcie Ogi
Sandra Toshiyuki
Loris Kurashige
Lisa Yamamoto
Jeanne Nakagama
1980s
Hedy Posey
Frances Shima
Janet Barnes
Tracy Isawa
Tamlyn Tomita
Tish Okabe
Jennifer Ahn
LeeAnne Sera
Karen Uchizono
Sandra Fukushima
1990s
Sandra Posey
Mutsuko Sata
Andrea Kawamoto
Naomi Ono
Kimi Evans
Judy Gilbertson
Joann Shin
Janelle Hamabata
Tiffany Hattori
Traci Murase
2000s
Tricia Tanaka
Lauren Kinkade
Jamie Mizuhara
Nicole Cherry
Nikki Kodama
Steffanie Tamehiro
Liane Takano
Monika Teuffel
Jill Hiraizumi
Dana Heatherton
2010s
Lani Nishiyama
Erika Olsen
Emily Folick
Lauren Iwata
Tori Leon
Sara Hutter
Jaclyn Tomita
Jordyn Adachi
Alice Amano
Juli Yoshinaga
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 nwqcprogram@gmail.com. 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.