Our Mission, Vision, & Values

As a community-driven project of Little Tokyo Service Center, Okaeri’s mission is to create visibility, compassionate spaces, and transformation for LGBTQ+ Japanese Americans (Nikkei) and their families by sharing our stories and providing culturally-rooted support, education, community-building, and advocacy. We envision a safe, loving, and accepting world for LGBTQ+ Nikkei and their families where all identities are celebrated, respected, and embraced. Our values are Love, Hope, and Courage.

Our Story

In 2013, Marsha Aizumi, the Japanese American mother of a transgender son, wondered why there were no resources for LGBTQ+ Nikkei. Responding to this need, and driven by her love for her son, Aiden, she brought together a group of LGBTQ+ Nikkei, parents, and allies to organize “Okaeri: A Nikkei LGBTQ Gathering” at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles, creating the first-ever conference in the U.S. focused specifically on LGBTQ+ Nikkei. The conference was a great success, with more than 200 people from across the U.S. and Canada attending. It also inspired Nikkei in Seattle, Sacramento, and San Francisco to organize similar gatherings.

Building on this momentum, two subsequent conferences were held in 2016 and 2018, each time continuing to grow in attendance and content. Okaeri itself continued to develop, launching the Okaeri Voices archival video program in 2018, and Okaeri Connects discussion groups in 2020. However, with the onset of the COVID pandemic, the organization was forced to adapt.

Making the jump to the digital space, Okaeri held its 2021 conference virtually, allowing people to join from around the world, including attendees from 17 states, as well as countries including Peru, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and Korea. 2021 also saw the introduction of Okaeri’s first staff members, Cody and Rino.

From 2022 onwards, Okaeri continued to grow its programming with virtual workshops and symposiums, the development of a NorCal Okaeri branch, hosting our 2023 conference in hybrid format at JANM, introducing the first Queer Obon/Matsuri festivals in Southern California, starting an internship program, and publishing our Letters to Home anthology.

In 2025, Okaeri made the strategic decision to transition from a fiscally sponsored organization to an official program of Little Tokyo Service Center, ensuring its stability for years to come.

What Does Okaeri Do?

We provide programs and community services to meet the needs of the Nikkei LGBTQ+ community. Check out our programs to learn more! Whether as an attendee, volunteer, or intern, joining Okaeri is an opportunity for you to:

  • Connect with other LGBTQ+ Nikkei, parents, and allies

  • Find support, resources, and information

  • Build community at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Japanese/Japanese American identity