About the Japanese American Bar Association
The Japanese American Bar Association (“JABA”) was founded over 30 years ago
in Los Angeles, California. Over the years, JABA has provided a special forum
for members of the legal profession with interests and ties to the Japanese
American community to discuss issues, network, and serve our community.
JABA Founders
- Eric Y. Abe
- Hon. John F. Aiso
- John Y. Asari
- Jasmine L. Aseka
- Hon. Ernest M. Hiroshige
- Louis K. Ito
- Hon. Edward Y. Kakita
- Gerald K. Kitano
- Hon. Jon M. Mayeda
- Robert Y. Nagata
- Gilbert M. Nishimura
- Rose M. Ochi
- Hon. Vincent H. Okamoto
- Chiyoko Sakamoto
- Stanley S. Uyehara
JABA Past Presidents
- 1977 Honorable (Ret.) Edward Y. Kakita
- 1978 Honorable Ernest M. Hiroshige
- 1979 Honorable Jon M. Mayeda
- 1980 Honorable Kenji Machida
- 1981 Louis K. Ito
- 1982 Michael R. Yamaki
- 1983 Leslie K. Furukawa
- 1984 Ronald N. Ito
- 1985 Honorable Howard L. Halm
- 1986 Carol Matsunaga
- 1987 Judith K. Otamura-Kester
- 1988 Honorable Robert M. Kawahara
- 1989 Honorable Fred J. Fujioka
- 1990 Gerald M. Sato
- 1991 Ronald N. Ohata
- 1992 M. Dick Osumi
- 1993 Bruce L. Ishimatsu
- 1994 Neil R. Nagano
- 1995 Mia Yamamoto
- 1996 Dee A. Hayashi
- 1997 Michael K. Suzuki
- 1998 Diane M.L. Tan
- 1999 Andrew J. Yamamoto
- 2000 Alex H. Fukui
- 2001 Eric Y. Nishizawa
- 2002 Tomas A. Guterres
- 2003 Bill H. Seki
- 2004 Honorable Akemi Arakaki
- 2005 Craig Osaki
- 2006 Patricia Kinaga
- 2007 Anne Inoue
- 2008 Dennis Yokoyama
- 2009 Katherine Hikida
- 2010 Diana Nishiura
- 2011 Alison Matsumoto
