12th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest Celebration

To be held at the JANM Democracy Center. This FREE event will be presented in person and virtually.

Registration required to receive Zoom link.

Marvel at the amazing and creative ways that writers can imagine Little Tokyo and expand the fictional boundaries of the Japanese American experience at the 12th Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest Awards Ceremony!

Each year, the Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest heightens awareness of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo by challenging both new and experienced writers to write a story that captures the spirit and essence of Little Tokyo and the people in it.

Ji-young Yoo, Rosie Narasaki, and Toshiji Takeshima will provide dramatic readings of the winning short stories in the English Adult, Youth, and Japanese categories. The celebration will be emceed by actor Christopher Sean. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be revealed at the celebration. Each category winner is awarded a cash prize, and their story will be published in The Rafu Shimpo, on Discover Nikkei, and on the Little Tokyo Historical Society website.

The contest is presented by Little Tokyo Historical Society in partnership with JANM’s Discover Nikkei project.

ENTRIES WRITTEN IN BOTH ENGLISH AND JAPANESE (日本語)

2024 Winners:

Adult Category: “When Next We Meet” by Brandon Tadashi Chung
Honorable mention: “Sustain” by Monique Hayes

Youth Category: “Little Things” by Madeline Thach
Honorable mention: “Dreaming in Lil' Tokyo” by Pablo Matias Hernandez Martinez

Japanese Language Category: “New Otani Wedding” by DC ＆ Satsuki Palter
Honorable mentions: “Am I a Stranger or a Foreigner?” by Koh Hirano

Read stories from past Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contests:

12th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest Celebration

To be held at the JANM Democracy Center. This FREE event will be presented in person and virtually.

ENTRIES WRITTEN IN BOTH ENGLISH AND JAPANESE (日本語)

Little Tokyo Historical Society

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