John and Asako Yamashita graduated from UC Berkeley. In 1942, they were imprisoned with their families in the Topaz concentration camp. Following the war, John opened a hostel at the West Tenth Methodist Church in Oakland for returning Japanese Americans, and Asako helped reopen the family market, Uoki Sakai, in San Francisco. John and Asako married and together supported the work of the West Tenth Methodist Church and later the Centenary Methodist Church in Los Angeles. Asako served as an elementary school teacher for many years. The Reverend H. John & Asako Yamashita Memorial Scholarship supports graduate studies for students concerned with education, social justice, and service to their communities. Applicants must be attending an institution of higher learning within the United States in the Fall of 2026. Students deferring enrollment will not qualify for the 2026 scholarship program. Every applicant must be an active National JACL member. JACL membership is open to everyone of any ethnic background. Applicants must hold an Individual or Student/Youth Membership. A Couple/Family membership by a parent will not meet this requirement. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Japanese American Citizens League for more information.