Jonathan van Harmelen
Friendship Knot by Shinkichi Tajiri, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Photo taken by author. Learn more here.

I contribute to several Asian American community publications across the U.S. Since 2019, I have written a monthly column for Discover Nikkei, the publication for the Japanese American National Museum. My work covers biographies of Japanese Americans who have shaped American politics, art, literature, music, and science. I also write about political and cultural figures who have been impacted by the injustice of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. I am an editor for the Densho Encyclopedia, where I produce new content for the encyclopedia and Densho Catalyst.
My work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Rafu Shimpo, Seattle International Examiner, San Francisco Nichi Bei News, and The Pacific Citizen.
Samples of my work:
“Reclaim Sacramento Japantown members speak before State Assembly.” Nichi Bei News, February 29, 2024.
“The Legacy of Harry Honda.” Pacific Citizen, July 14-27, 2023.
“In Search of Home: A History of Ethnic Enclaves.” Rafu Shimpo, November 4, 2022. Published in the Rafu’s special issue “Stop the Hate.”
“Catching up with journalist and author Gene Oishi about “In Search of Hiroshi”, a groundbreaking memoir in its exploration in the psychological analysis of Nisei identity.” The International Examiner, January 24, 2022.