UTAH JAPANTOWN ADVOCATES
Advocating for the preservation & revitalization of Japantown Street
ABOUT JAPANTOWN
Japantown in Salt Lake City began to take shape around 1910, following the arrival of Japanese immigrants in the late 1800s who came to work on railroads and in agriculture. The community grew steadily until the 1960s, when nearly all of Japantown was demolished through eminent domain to build the Salt Palace—displacing residents and closing approximately 90 Japanese-owned businesses. Today, only the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and Japanese Church of Christ remain on 100 South.
In the early 2000s, the Japanese Community Preservation Committee (JCPC) was formed to preserve Japantown’s heritage, leading efforts such as establishing a memorial garden and officially naming 100 South as Japantown Street. Streetscape redesign plans were also developed to reflect cultural elements.
In 2024, Senate Bill 272 established a Capital City Revitalization Zone—from the Delta Center to Japantown (100 S between 200 W and 300 W)—and introduced a 0.5% citywide sales tax to fund the Smith Entertainment Group’s (SEG) Sports, Entertainment, Convention, and Culture District (SECC). The project directly affects Japantown Street and the daily operations of both the Japanese Church of Christ and the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple.
ABOUT UJA
Formed in April 2024, Utah Japantown Advocates (Formerly SLC NextGen JA) emerged after Senate Bill 272 passed and news broke about the development of a Sports Entertainment, Culture, and Convention District that could impact Japantown Street.
A group of friends who grew up attending temple and church events on Japantown Street gathered to discuss how we could help advocate and organize community efforts around Japantown.
We worked with community leaders to address potential impacts to Japantown and to ensure our Community's voice is heard in the revitalization of Downtown: building a future where Salt Lake City Japantown’s culture, stories, and community thrive.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
To amplify the collective Japanese American voice of Salt Lake City through intergenerational collaboration that promotes the diverse voices of Japantown's past, present, and future
To ensure thoughtful planning is conducted, we are looking to gather input from the community on the future of Japantown. By taking this 5 minute survey, you can provide input on ways to protect and potentially reimagine a revitalized Japantown.
OUR MISSION
To amplify the collective Japanese American voice of Salt Lake City through intergenerational collaboration that promotes the diverse voices of Japantown's past, present, and future.
© Utah Japantown Advocates