The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington is committed to preserving, promoting, and sharing Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage. They do so through their publications, family legacy projects, and the Northwest Nikkei Museum. The center also houses the Nihongo Gakko (Japanese Language School) and the Japanese Community Service. Perhaps no one is more associated with the building than Genji Mihara, community leader for more than 50 years and president of the Japanese Community Service from 1949 to 1980.