The UCLA Nikkei Student Union (NSU) is proud to announce the return of its annual fall basketball tournament, the Yuji Ichioka Memorial (YIM) Tournament, on Nov. 8-9 at UCLA’s John Wooden Center.
NSU at UCLA organizes social and community service activities as well as promoting Japanese American cultural and political awareness among the student body.
NSU’s YIM Tournament honors the life and legacy of Yuji Ichioka (1936-2002), an Asian American civil rights activist and UCLA professor. As a pioneer of Asian American studies, Ichioka became a prominent voice and guiding figure in advancing Japanese American history. His activism has continued to inspire new generations of students and members of the community.
Ichioka was the author of ”The Issei: The World of the First-Generation Japanese Immigrants, 1885-1924.” He left behind a nearly completed manuscript of “Before Internment: Essays in Prewar Japanese American History,” which was published posthumously. He is also remembered for his testimony before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in 1981.
The UCLA Asian American Studies Center honored him and his wife by establishing the Yuji Ichioka and Emma Gee Endowment in Social Justice and Immigration Studies.
The YIM Tournament brings together students from over 12 different universities across Southern California to play basketball in remembrance of him. It’s an opportunity to strengthen intercollegiate connections and celebrate the lasting impact of Ichioka’s work.
“Our team has been working hard behind the scenes and we really look forward to seeing the community come together,” says the Sports Coordinators of UCLA NSU.
Tip-off begins on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. and admission is offered free of charge. Come watch to support the growth of the local Japanese American community, enjoy a day of basketball, and be part of the excitement.
For more information, contact ucla.nsu.sports@gmail.com.