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Japantown Task Force Secures Space from U.S. Bank to Offer Japantown Cultural District Programs SAN FRANCISCO, California - The Japantown Task Force announced today that it has obtained a 3,300-square-foot space above the U.S. Bank Japan Center branch to offer Japantown Cultural District programming and events. U.S. Bank is donating the space for the Japantown Task Force to use while the Peace Plaza facility is undergoing renovations. “Thanks to U.S. Bank, community groups will have access to badly needed event space, which can help during the anticipated two-year closure of the Peace Plaza for major renovations beginning this spring,” Japantown Task Force Executive Director Emily Murase said. “This could not come at a more important time for San Francisco Japantown, which is just recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.” “U.S. Bank is proud to serve the Japantown community and recognizes the vital role that organizations like the Japantown Task Force play in creating a thriving, vibrant neighborhood for residents, visitors and businesses,” said Sandy Walia, U.S. Bank branch banking market leader in the San Francisco Bay Area. “This investment underscores our commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting arts and cultural activities in the communities we serve.” To activate the space, the Japantown Cultural District is partnering with KOHO, fiscally sponsored by the nonprofit arts organization Kultivate Labs. Developed for and by artists and creators, KOHO’s Co-Creative Hub will open in June providing space use opportunities for the community, and be an incubator for pop-up retail, art exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions and artist professional development to connect audiences with authentic culture and community. KOHO will also be working closely with existing cultural organizations to honor and support the decades of creative forces that have shaped Japantown to ensure the historic and collective voices of our community live on. KOHO Executive Director Susie Kagami stated: “The KOHO Co-Creative Hub will spark new economic activity and revitalization in Japantown through arts, culture and connection. U.S. Bank has created a pivotal moment for our community, helping to nurture and revitalize Japantown for future generations to come. ### About the Japantown Cultural District: After years of community planning and structured conversation on strategies for sustaining one of the nation’s last remaining Japantowns, the San Francisco Japantown Cultural Heritage, Economic Sustainability Strategy (JCHESS) was released in 2023. In 2018, the City and County of San Francisco designated Japantown as its first official Cultural District. The purpose of the Japantown Cultural District is to preserve a culturally regenerative, economically vibrant, and authentic neighborhood that welcomes all, and aims to serve Japanese and Japanese American communities for many generations to come. See japantownculturaldistrict.org. About U.S. Bank: U.S. Bancorp, with more than 70,000 employees and $663 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Bancorp website at usbank.com and click on “About Us.”
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