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The Greater Los Angeles JACL chapter held its 2026 scholarship luncheon on June 7 in the meeting room of the Torrance Municipal Airport-Zamperini Field in Torrance to recognize six former high school students headed to college. Receiving awards from the chapter were Keerstin Baltazar, H. Miles Dodson, Elena Miyamoto, Ashley Mori, Hikaru Nakasone and River […]
The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program is now accepting applications for its 23rd annual program (2026-27). Any interested high school student can apply now online. Rising Stars is a seven-month program that takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Union Church in Little Tokyo. It begins on Oct. 3, 2026, and […]
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) announced Aug. 21 that it will reopen its newly renovated Pavilion on Jan. 23, 2027. The transformed Pavilion includes: JANM’s Pavilion has been closed since Jan. 6, 2024. “JANM’s reopening launches us into a new era, one that brings American stories to life and reflects the full richness of […]
Scenes from Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute’s annual Matsuri Fundraiser, held June 27 with the support of member organizations, Tomo No Kai (TNK), board and staff members, corporate sponsors and many others. The festival featured food booths, games for kids, a plant sale, a beer garden, bingo, ikebana and craft displays, and a Japanese Language […]
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) recently congratulated Manon Iwata for receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal and “making CA28 (the 28th Congressional District) proud.” Manon and her twin sister Kanon founded their own nonprofit, Teens 4 Disarmament & Nonproliferation, in Los Angeles in 2022. “Thank you for your commitment to educating others and building a more […]
OCO Natsu Matsuri 2026 will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine. This year the WWII Camp Wall, OCO Club, and Tanaka Farms join in bringing OCO Natsu Matsuri to life. Come enjoy the festivities, including games, food, drinks (including a beer garden), […]
Long Beach Buddhist Church, 2360 Santa Fe Ave. in Long Beach, will hold its Obon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Bon Odori starts at 6:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to participate. The family-friendly festival will also feature food, games for kids, live music, an ikebana display, a vintage sale, […]
A funeral service for Miwako Ukegawa, 99-year-old, Borneo, Indonesia-born Issei, who passed away on July 30, 2026 in Carlsbad, Calif., will be held August 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m. at Eternal Hills Memorial Park Memorial Chapel, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, with Rev. Shumyo Kojima from Zenshuji Soto Mission officiating. She is survived by her […]
Shigeru “Shig” grew up in East Los Angeles during the Great Depression. He was a senior in high school when our country was drawn into World War II. He and his family were ordered by the federal government out of their home to Manzanar concentration camp; they were forced to abandon anything they could not […]
Tamotsu Harry Inouye, resident of Torrance and internee at Gila River and Tule Lake, passed away on July 16, 2026 at the age of 85. He is survived by his sister, Emily Schultz; sister-in-law, Maeve Inouye; daughter, Debbie (Ken) Maki; and other relatives. Predeceased by his wife, Janet; parents, Yutaka and Yoshiko Inouye; sister, Kristine […]
Yuko Hosaka (92), beloved mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026. Born in Saga Prefecture, Japan, Yuko grew up in the beautiful port city of Sasebo, Nagasaki. She married Teruo Hosaka and came to the United States, where they raised their daughters, Yumi Hosaka Clark (John) and Emi Hosaka Chu (Remy). Yuko […]
By TOMOKO NAGAIRAFU STAFF REPORTER Among the many participants in the Nisei Week Grand Parade, the Japanese classical dance groups stand out as one of its most colorful attractions, marching and dancing in formation. This year’s official choreographer is Bando Hidesomi, one of the leading instructors of the Bando School in Los Angeles. She is […]
The Orange County Japanese Garden and Teahouse is celebrating its 56th anniversary at the Orange County Civic Center this year. It was created by the generosity of 643 Orange County individuals and organizations who donated a total of $50,000 to make it a reality. The organization, at that time, that coordinated this effort was the […]
By DARCY FUKUNAGA I am the living extension of history. Now, you may be thinking, “Huh? Darcy… isn’t your teenage mind getting just a liiiiittle bit ahead of yourself?” Totally. What I mean by this is that I see myself as a Nikkei who has been shaped by the traditions, culture and beliefs of those […]
The second annual GVJCI Car Show will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, ,from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena. Gardena has a thriving car culture with people having not only the well-known American muscle cars but also modified foreign makes such as the […]
West Covina Buddhist Temple held its annual Obon Festival on June 27 at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center in West Covina. The program included a Manto-e service conducted by Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi, a performance by Kishin Daiko from ESGVJCC; and Bon Odori with dancers from temples and community centers around the Southland. […]
Venice Japanese Community Center held its annual Summer Natsu Matsuri Festival on June 27 and 28. Entertainment on Saturday included demonstrations of iaido, kendo, aikido, judo and karate; drumming by VJCC’s own Koshin Taiko; and music by singer/songwriter Hana Effron. Sunday’s program featured Zumba, hula, aikido, judo, karate and taiko. A cultural expo offered demonstrations […]
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) opposes the planned closure of the National Archives at San Francisco in San Bruno, Calif., and the potential loss of accessibility to invaluable historic records. JANM’s staff of historians, curators, and educators refer to the National Archives and Records Administration’s incredible body of historical records to complement its collection […]
By EMIKO ESSMILLERRafu Correspondent “I’m just really excited to meet everyone, to engage with all aspects of the Japanese American community.” Connection — that is the sentiment that 2026 Nisei Queen Kara Kimiko Chu, 23, wants to foster. The coronation, which took place on Aug. 15 at the Tom Bradley Theatre in Los Angeles (not […]
By MARY UYEMATSU KAO July 17 was the opening of the L.A. Garden Exhibit at Descanso Gardens. The exhibit is expansive in scope, covering defining points of Descanso history from Spanish colonization up to present. From challenges of the ecosystem to the immense diversity of its plant life collections, from the indigenous caretakers to major […]
By BILL WATANABE The writer in the biblical Book of Psalms, Chapter 10, cries to God about the rampant wickedness of violent men who believe there is no God. He asks God to: “Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until you find no more” The psalmist asks God […]
By ALEIZA VAN HEMERT Financial security is one of the greatest gifts a parent or guardian can give a child, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Several investment savings options with various features exist currently, and the new Trump Accounts are the newest addition as of July 2026. Established through the One Big […]
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute announced this year’s scholarship winners during the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser on June 27. They were introduced by GVJCI Executive Director Alison Kochiyama and members of the GVJCI Scholarship Committee. High School Scholarships Gary Hori Memorial Scholarship — Logan Garcia, Lawndale High School. He will be attending UC Merced. Kelli […]
The Venice Japanese Community Center presented five scholarship awards to its 2026 group of high school graduates. Four were present at the annual Summer Festival on June 27 to receive their awards on stage from Bob Onishi, VJCC president. All five of the amazing honorees achieved stellar academic records, involved themselves in community service both […]
