In Focus SoCal: AANHPI Heritage Month
LOS ANGELES — The number of Asian Americans reached a new high of nearly 25 million, or 7% of the U.S. population.
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Asian immigrants in the U.S. is declining, but they remain a majority. California has the largest Asian population in any state, with over seven million people.
On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” host Tanya McRae heads to Little Tokyo, one of just three historic Japantowns remaining in the country.
The community is coming together to help preserve Japanese culture and heritage. In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared Little Tokyo one of the country’s 11 most endangered historic places.
“Little Tokyo has been faced with a lot of different challenges and threats. Multiple waves of displacement, gentrification, leading to a lot of struggles,” said Kisa Ito, Director of Communications for the Little Tokyo Community Council.
The nonprofit coalition of residents, businesses and stakeholders is advocating for the community’s future.
This year, the group is receiving additional support from Project by Project, a group comprised of young professionals who utilize their skills to teach Asian American business owners new strategies for growth and success.
“We really see that Little Tokyo is in danger of going extinct, and here at Project By Project, we really are trying to make sure that we protect not only Little Tokyo but also the other Asian American ethnic enclaves that exist here, and the amazing culture and people that also are involved with it,” said Brian Kohaya, president of the LA chapter of Project By Project.
Rep. David Min joins “In Focus SoCal” for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
He is the first Korean American to represent the 47th district.
“As an Asian American myself, I’m cognizant of the many challenges we’re facing in this country, in our communities, and so I think I’m very attuned to the issues when they’re brought to my attention and very inclined to try to act on them,” said Min.
The congressional representative also discussed a few bills he proposed, including the Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act and the Peace Across the Korean Peninsula Act.
“What this bill does is call for a formal end to the Korean War and calls on the State Department to review its roadmap for achieving peace between North and South Korea,” said Min.
McRae also sits with Lt. Sergio Perez from the Special Services Command of the California Highway Patrol. He provides an update on the state’s Organized Retail Theft Crime Task Force's progress. While crime has generally trended downward in California in 2024, retail crime continues to rise.
“Since the inception of the task force, the CHP’s ORC team has recovered over 1.3 million items that have been stolen, with an estimated value of over $56 million,” said Perez.