Historic Nichi Bei Times Calls It Quits in San Francisco
August 21, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO—First published back in 1899, the Nichi Bei Times (Japan-America Times) was the catalyst that helped the Bay Area’s Japanese Americans endure anti-Asian legislation, the Great Depression and World War II internment. It was the glue that helped Northern California’s proud Nikkei community stay connected throughout the postwar years through the 1980s. But now, beset by a plunge in advertising revenues and flagging circulation figures, it is printing its final edition next month.
In an open letter to its readers Aug. 20, the Japanese-English newspaper’s board of directors announced officially that the venerable Nichi Bei would cease publication after its Sept. 10 edition.
