ALL Event - The Japanese of the Monterey Peninsula with Larry Oda

Larry Oda

Past National President of the Japanese American Citizens League

Larry Oda was born in a Department of Justice internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, during World War II. He has called Monterey, California, home since 1946. He attended Monterey City Schools and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Fresno.

Larry has devoted much of his life to public service and civil rights advocacy through the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. After serving on the JACL National Board of Directors and in numerous leadership capacities, he was elected National President in 2006. He has served an unprecedented four terms as National President, providing leadership in advancing civil and human rights, protecting the rights of Japanese Americans, and preserving Japanese American history and cultural heritage.