The Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association (NCJTA) is a professional organization whose goals are to encourage interest in and improve the quality of instruction in Japanese at all levels in Northern California; to provide for the professional and educational growth of the members; to promote the common interests of all persons interested in the teaching of Japanese language and culture in Northern California; and to provide resources and information to the public concerning the teaching of Japanese language and culture in Northern California. NCJTA was established by the late Dr. Toshiko Mishima, Professor at San Francisco State University in the early 1970s. We are an affiliate organization of both the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) and the Foreign Language Association of Northern California (FLANC) and a member of the JF Nihongo Network (“Sakura Network”). In 2022, we received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the government of Japan for our 50-year contributions to Japanese education in Northern California.