San Francisco's Japantown receives Preserve America recognition

The White House has officially recognized San Francisco’s Japantown as a Preserve America neighborhood. Eight Preserve America signs have been placed by the City and County of San Francisco along Sutter and Buchanan Streets, Post and Buchanan Streets and Geary and Buchanan Streets facing both west and east bound. San Francisco’s Japantown is the first neighborhood in San Francisco to be awarded such a designation.
The award recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Japantown. The designation does not carry with it any historical restrictions, its goal is to designate and promote Japantown as a cultural heritage tourism site.
In a letter to Paul Osaki, executive director of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC), first lady Laura Bush wrote, “Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.”
Along with San Francisco’s Japantown, Little Tokyo in Los Angeles also was awarded.
The Preserve America initiative is an administration effort to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride.

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