About NYLIPA
Who we are
Our Mission
To nurture the language, culture, and identity of children with Japanese heritage — through quality education, meaningful traditions, and a connected community of families.
At NYLIPA, we recognize that heritage language education goes far beyond grammar and vocabulary. When a child reads a bedtime story in Japanese, cooks with their grandparent over the holidays, or performs in a school play, they are building an identity — one that will serve them for a lifetime.
Our programs are designed to make that identity strong, positive, and joyful. We want children to love being Japanese-American, to feel proud of their cultural roots, and to carry that pride confidently into their futures.
While rooted in Long Island, NYLIPA welcomes families from across the New York region.
Our History
A founding story rooted in family
NYLIPA traces its roots to the early 1950s, when a small group of Japanese families settled in the New York area and began gathering informally to share language, food, and the traditions of home. These gatherings — held in living rooms and community halls — became the foundation of what would grow into a structured, beloved institution.
Through the following decades, the organization evolved alongside the Japanese-American community in New York. As more families arrived and the need for formal Japanese language education became clear, NYLIPA developed a Saturday school curriculum, established a volunteer teaching staff, and built the cultural programming calendar that continues to this day.
The organization was formally incorporated as a non-profit and received 501(c)(3) status, a milestone that allowed NYLIPA to formalize its curriculum, partner with educational institutions, and grow its programs in a sustainable way.
Today, NYLIPA serves more than 150 student families across the New York region with a full Saturday school program, a calendar of traditional Japanese seasonal events, and a parent community that provides ongoing support, fellowship, and advocacy.
1952
Est.
150+
Student Families
20+
Annual Events
K–12
Grade Range
What We Stand For
Our values
Heritage
継承We believe that language and cultural identity are precious gifts. Every child who grows up speaking Japanese and understanding their heritage is a bridge between generations — and we exist to help build that bridge.
Inclusion
包括性Our community welcomes all families with Japanese roots — fully Japanese, mixed heritage, internationally relocated, or those who simply love Japanese culture. Every background is honored here.
Community
共同体Raising bilingual, bicultural children is a shared challenge. NYLIPA provides not just a school, but a support network of parents, teachers, and volunteers who understand the journey firsthand.
Excellence
卓越We hold our programs to high standards. Our curriculum follows the Japanese Ministry of Education framework, and our teachers are trained, experienced, and passionate about Japanese language education.
Legal Status
NYLIPA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of New York. All donations to NYLIPA are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
We operate entirely through membership dues, donations, and the dedicated work of our volunteer staff. No paid executives or administrative salaries are drawn from member contributions — 100% of funds go directly to educational programs and community events.