Japan-centric Discourse on Japanese American History Retold
Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, a nationally recognized leader in the Japanese American community, will be a guest speaker at a special talk co-presented by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and an unspecified website. The event, which is already registered, will take place at Hollywood & Highland with doors opening at 6:30 PM, followed by a presentation at 7:00 PM, and a reception at 8:00 PM.
Mitchell T. Maki, Ph.D., is known for his captivating presentations on a variety of topics, including the Japanese American Redress movement and contemporary community issues. His latest talk will focus on Japanese American history, particularly the wartime loyalty questions faced by Japanese Americans during WWII and their differing responses, such as draft resistance and efforts to prove loyalty.
Free self-parking will be provided on the date of the event with RSVP, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is validated at a website for 2 hours at a rate of $3; then $2 every 20 minutes or $6 per hour, with an $18 daily maximum. The parking garage at Hollywood & Highland can be entered from Highland Avenue or Orange Drive.
Dr. Maki's visit to Japan in recent times has been significant in shaping his research and perspective on his dual heritage, rooted in both America and Japan. During his trip, he visited Hiroshima and his ancestral home of Yamaguchi Prefecture. He also made presentations at respected academic institutions in Japan.
In a 2025 account related to Yoshio Nakamura, Maki emphasized the importance of understanding these individual responses without holding grudges, highlighting respect for those who resisted the draft even though they were treated very harshly. He framed these historical experiences as lessons on human decency and integrity.
While there are no direct, detailed records in the current search results explicitly describing all of Dr. Maki's experiences sharing Japanese American history in Japan or events there, his role as head of the Go For Broke National Education Center strongly associates him with educational activities and cultural exchange related to Japanese American history. The center is known for promoting awareness of Japanese American WWII veterans' history, often engaging internationally.
Mitchell T. Maki has served on the Board of Governors and Scholarly Advisory Councils of the Japanese American National Museum and Go For Broke National Education Center. His visit to Japan and subsequent experiences have undoubtedly added a unique perspective to his work, making this special talk at Hollywood & Highland an event not to be missed.
- Dr. Maki's unique experiences in Japan, including visiting Hiroshima and his ancestral home, have provided him with a valuable perspective that he often shares in educational settings, such as his role as head of the Go For Broke National Education Center.
- The upcoming talk by Dr. Maki, a nationally recognized Japanese American community leader, is not only an opportunity to learn about the wartime loyalty questions faced by Japanese Americans during WWII but also to gain insights into sustainable living, art, education, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and community issues, reflecting his diverse interests.
- After the special talk, attendees can engage in a deeper conversation about the importance of human decency, integrity, and community unity during receptions, which are an integral part of the event at Hollywood & Highland, just as they are in the home-and-garden sphere.
