Nihon Go Gakko (Seattle)
Nihon Go Gakko (シアトル日本語学校 Shiatoru Nihongo Gakko) also known as the Japanese Language School (JLS) is a National Register of Historic Places in King County based at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington located on the periphery of the Seattle International District. The JLS provides Japanese language classes to both children and adults. It is also the oldest Japanese language school in North America.
Since the combination of the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington and the JLS in 2003 to form the Japanese Cultural and Community of Washington, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the JLS has become its premier program.
History
Formed in 1902, the first class was headed by Yoshio Shibayama with a class of four students. By 1907 there were a total of 48 students and by 1917, the student population had grown to 175 students. In 1938 the school opened its doors to adults, offering evening classes. When World War II broke out and the Japanese Americans in the area were sent to internment camps, the U.S. military occupied the school for use as an Army Air Force training facility. After World War II ended and interned Japanese Americans began to return to the Seattle area, the school was re-purposed as "Hunt's Hostel" and would house many returnee Japanese Americans as they looked for new homes and occupations.
Today, the Nihon Go Gakko is home to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington which was the combination of the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington (NHAW) and the JLS. The JLS is now its premier program of the JCCCW to promote Japanese language and culture.
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