Rafu Shimpo

08/22/2025

The 2025 Nisei Week Grand Parade took place on Aug. 10 with crowds lining the streets of Little Tokyo. The parade was preceded by a performance of Japanese pop songs by the Last Minute Band on First Street. Band members Mikey Hirano Culross and Miyuki Matsunaga then served as emcees. The parade part...

08/19/2025

At a time when the world seems to be pulling itself apart at the seams, it’s nice to know that there are those working tirelessly to build bridges and bring people together.

The Aug. 8th weekend, we saw the efforts of some of those folks play out in the latest version of the Japan x USA Friendship Games in Torrance.

The Friendship Games are intended to celebrate the friendship between the U.S. and Japan through baseball while providing young players with the opportunity to experience different cultures and baseball styles.

By MILES ANDERSONSpecial to The Rafu At a time when the world seems to be pulling itself apart at the seams, it’s nice to know that there are those working tirelessly to build bridges and bring people together. Last weekend, we saw the efforts of some of those folks play out in the latest version ...

08/18/2025

After nearly 50 years as a Little Tokyo mainstay, the venerable Mitsuru Sushi & Grill, known for its unique blend of Japanese and American food, announced that it will be closing and its last day of service will be Aug. 31.

After nearly 50 years as a Little Tokyo mainstay, the venerable Mitsuru Sushi & Grill, known for its unique blend of Japanese and American food, announced that it will be closing and its last day of service will be Aug. 31. Originally opened in 1976 as a lunch counter in a space it shared with […]

08/13/2025

The guest speaker was Howard Kakita, a Hiroshima survivor and advocate for nuclear disarmament. Born in California and raised in Japan during World War II, he experienced the horror of the atomic bombing firsthand, surviving despite being just 0.8 mile from the hypocenter.

Emphasizing “our shared responsibility to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons,” Kakita said that eventually “many of us (survivors) will not be here,” but he hopes that future generations will not have to live under the threat of nuclear annihilation.

By J.K. YAMAMOTORAFU STAFF WRITER The 80th commemorative service of Hiroshima-Nagasaki atomic bomb victims and survivors took place on Aug. 3 at Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin of Los Angeles in Little Tokyo. The U.S. bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945, killing more than 210,000 people by t...

08/11/2025

During the 83rd annual Nisei Week Coronation on Aug. 9, 25-year-old Kimi Look was crowned Nisei Week Queen. Born in Torrance, Look has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Her community platform is the Go For Broke National Education Center and she is sponsored by the Gardena Evening Optimist Club.

Court includes First Princess Megan Miyamoto, Miss Tomodachi Mika Dyo. By EMIKO ESSMILLERSpecial to The Rafu “Nisei Week is something that has always meant a lot to my family. It’s a multi-generational festival, so it really brings something for everyone to look forward to. “After my grandmoth...

08/06/2025

Aston Nagahashi, a dedicated history buff and Boy Scout from Troop 719 in Torrance, found a meaningful way to merge his passion for history with his pursuit for the rank of Eagle Scout.

During the 2024 Nisei Week Parade, Aston helped carry banners for the nonprofit organization WWII Camp Wall (WWIICW). Inspired by the experience and the organization’s mission to preserve the memory of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, Aston decided that his Eagle project would support WWIICW directly.

In collaboration with his advisors, Toby Hiromoto and Mark Petty, and nonprofit president Nancy Hayata, they happened upon the concept of a portable camp guard tower that could be easily assembled, disassembled, and stored. Aston spent hours on plans of a guard tower that utilized the Manzanar guard tower as a model, but later revised his design to reflect the Tule Lake guard tower, which features a more compact structure that would be less likely to tip over.

After hours of planning and fundraising, on July 5, scouts, parents, alumni and friends gathered to help Aston with his project. Aston over-saw the project as fellow scouts, and Girl Scouts from Troop 310G (sister troop of 719) of Faith United Methodist Church joined in.

Aston Nagahashi, a dedicated history buff and Boy Scout from Troop 719 in Torrance, found a meaningful way to merge his passion for history with his pursuit for the rank of Eagle Scout. During the 2024 Nisei Week Parade, Aston helped carry banners for the nonprofit organization WWII Camp Wall (WWIIC...

08/04/2025

Leaders of the Japanese American National Museum on July 11 held a groundbreaking for the new Pavilion and expressed their determination to continue their mission despite the current political climate.

The museum’s main building will undergoing extensive renovation, including a new core exhibition, and is expected to reopen in late 2026. Until then, programs will continue at JANM’s Democracy Center and other locations throughout the Los Angeles area.

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Among those taking part in the symbolic groundbreaking in the museum’s Mineta Democracy Plaza were Ann Burroughs, JANM president and CEO; William T. Fujioka, JANM Board of Trustees chair; Kenko Sone, consul general of Japan in Los Angeles; Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside); Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado; actor/activist George Takei, JANM Board of Trustees chair emeritus; and Amy Watanabe, vice president of Nakatomi PR.
The museum’s supporters gathered in Aratani Central Hall for a reception and program, followed by tours of the empty spaces that will become new galleries.

“Once completed, this renovation project will feature our new core exhibition, ‘In the Future We Call Now: Realities of Racism, Dreams of Democracy,’” said Fujioka. “This project will enhance our ability to pursue JANM’s mission and to use our voice to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the journey, struggles, and successes of the Japanese American community.

“As JANM moves forward, we continue to honor our first-generation immigrant grandparents, who left Japan for better life, who were faced with immense injustice during World War II. We also honor our second-generation parents, many who fought during the war, while their families were behind barbed-wire fences. But also equally important, those who stood up against the injustice …

“I think we all know we’re in a dangerous place in time right now,” he concluded. “This harkens back to the darkness of 1942 when the Japanese American community was persecuted and deprived of civil rights and justice. Few came to our defense, few spoke out.

“As an institution and community, we cannot make the same mistake. JANM must use its voice and actions to support all oppressed, ethnic, cultural, religious LGBTQ and immigrant communities. JANM is and will always be a beacon of social justice.”

By J.K. YAMAMOTORAFU SHIMPO Leaders of the Japanese American National Museum on July 11 held a groundbreaking for the new Pavilion and expressed their determination to continue their mission despite the current political climate. The museum’s main building will undergoing extensive renovation, inc...

07/29/2025

2025 marks 80 years since atomic bombs were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the only times nuclear weapons have been used during warfare.

The American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors (ASA) would like to invite the public to its 80th annual Commemoration Service for A-Bomb Victims and Survivors, which will be held on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Koyasan Buddhist Temple, 342 First St. in Little Tokyo.

“We look forward to seeing our friends and colleagues as we honor those who perished and support the survivors who are still with us,” event organizers said.

This year’s guest speaker will be Howard Kakita, a hibakusha who was less than a mile away from the hypocenter in Hiroshima when the bomb detonated. He will talk about his personal experience and share his thoughts on nuclear weapons.

In addition to Koyasan, ministers from Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, West Covina Buddhist Temple, and Zenshuji Soto Mission will take part in this year’s service.

The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will deliver special messages via video.

2025 marks 80 years since atomic bombs were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the only times nuclear weapons have been used during warfare. The American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors (ASA) would like to invite the public to its 80th annual Commemoration Service for A-Bomb Vi...

07/28/2025

Tea ceremonies and kendo demonstrations and taiko performances, oh my!

Valley Japanese Community Center’s annual Obon Festival took place over the weekend of June 22 and 23. This Obon is one of many in SoCal’s large showcase of Japanese culture.

As one of the first in a summer-long celebration, the community center welcomed people of all ages to participate in the festivities.

By EMIKO ESSMILLERRAFU CONTRIBUTOR Tea ceremonies and kendo demonstrations and taiko performances, oh my! Valley Japanese Community Center’s annual Obon Festival took place over the weekend of June 22 and 23. This Obon is one of many in SoCal’s large showcase of Japanese culture. As one of the f...

07/21/2025

The 83rd Nisei Week Festival officially started on July 13 with an opening ceremony held at the Japanese American National Museum’s Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo.

Distinguished guests, including Kenko Sone, consul general of Japan in Los Angeles; Shinichi Fujinami, president of the Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA); Yuko Kaifu, president of Japan House Los Angeles; and Ann Burroughs, president and CEO of JANM, joined friends, families, and representatives of supporting community organizations to celebrate the start of the traditional Japanese American festival.

Seven Queen Candidates Introduced; Festival Embraces Theme of “Gratitude” By TOMOKO NAGAIRAFU STAFF WRITER The 83rd Nisei Week Festival officially started on July 13 with an opening ceremony held at the Japanese American National Museum’s Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation o...

07/17/2025

Celebrated Japanese American drumming group TaikoProject celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special one-night-only performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, on Saturday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

The acclaimed group will be joined by Grammy-winning Chicanx band Quetzal, also from Los Angeles, and multi-instrument soloist Sumie Kaneko performing vocals and playing the koto and the shamisen.

Celebrated Japanese American drumming group TaikoProject celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special one-night-only performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, on Saturday, July 19, at 7 p.m. The acclaimed group will be joined by Grammy-winning Chicanx band Quetzal, a...

07/14/2025

Japanese Americans and residents of the Los Angeles Harbor area gathered June 27 at the Japanese Fishing Village Memorial on Terminal Island to denounce use of the island by federal immigration authorities participating in mass raids on local communities.

Speaking as “a proud descendant of Japanese American ancestry,” Maya Suzuki Daniels, a San Pedro teacher and a member of the UTLA Harbor Area Steering Committee, said, “It is this lineage that compels me to stand in front of you today and say ‘No ICE on Terminal Island.’ My grandfather was born in Los Angeles in 1920. In 1942, he joined the U.S. military. During the time of his service, his relatives were moved into internment camps in Arizona. My family understands what forced displacement and mass incarceration looks like.

“My grandfather is the one who taught me to stand up for values of peace, justice, equality, and compassion. Living in San Pedro, I have seen how neighbors stand up for each other when someone is ill, when someone is struggling, or when people are scared. San Pedro is a community born out of immigration — Croatian, Italian and Mexican migrants moving to make their lives and blend their cultures in our hamlet by the sea. We protect each other and we defend this slice of Los Angeles.

“My experiences in San Pedro and my love for this community led me to organize the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, a group of neighbors, parents, educators, and concerned citizens. With the support of San Pedro Neighbors for Peace & Justice and the Community Self-Defense Coalition, we are peaceful and law abiding citizens who monitor ICE activities in our neighborhoods and educate our neighbors about their constitutional rights. We are greatly disturbed by the use of Terminal Island, a place already haunted by legacies of displacement and discrimination, to carry out this wave of terror in our city.”

By J.K. YAMAMOTORAFU SHIMPO Japanese Americans and residents of the Los Angeles Harbor area gathered June 27 at the Japanese Fishing Village Memorial on Terminal Island to denounce use of the island by federal immigration authorities participating in mass raids on local communities. The memorial, de...