Densho

Densho is a public history nonprofit that documents the Japanese American experience before, during, and after World War II incarceration. We view Japanese American history within a longer trajectory of American racism and xenophobia, and use our platform to speak out against injustices both past and present. Founded in 1996, we are trailblazers in the use of open access digital technology to preserve and share historical materials. Our digital archives, comprehensive encyclopedia, and educational resources for learners of all ages are all freely available on our website.

Our Values 

• Stewardship – Our elders entrusted us to share their stories with future generations. We hold ourselves accountable to the community of survivors and descendents that our work represents.
• Integrity –  In documenting and sharing WWII incarceration history, we abide by the highest standards of scholarly rigor and archival best practices. 
• Innovation – We remain informed about technological trends,  recognize opportunities,  and adopt new ideas. 
• Justice – We use our own history as a foundation for supporting other groups that face similar instances of racism, xenophobia, and bigotry.
• Collaboration – We seek to build new partnerships and strengthen existing ones  because success is achieved by working with others.