An historical review of the immigration and resettlement patterns, and a demographic profile of Japanese Americans reveals a myth of the "successful minority." Since the founding of the Japanese American Citizens League in 1928, Japanese Americans have defeated alien land laws, discriminatory immigration quotas, anti-miscengenation laws, and secured naturalization privileges for alien Japanese. Currently, Japanese Americans are the third largest Asian American group and have attained a high level of education with increased visibility in many areas of employment; they tend to live primarily in integrated, urban communities. The stereotypes and misunderstandings created by the concentration camp experience, however, have hampered economic and social progress for Japanese Americans. Moreover, disparities in educational funding policies, uses of propaganda, and violations of civil rights have undermined the achievements of Japanese Americans. The organization of bilingual/multicultural programs on the secondary level, and Asian American studies at the university level is needed to overcome the effects of racism, to promote self-esteem, and to provide a progressive framework for serving Japanese American communities. (JCD)