Photos by MARIO G. REYES
Councilmember Jan Perry and Irene Yuhara, daughter of the late Rev. Howard Toriumi, cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the Aiso Street Parking Garage in Little Tokyo last Friday. The 300-space underground public parking garage is located at Judge John Aiso and First streets and will soon be converted into a fully automated parking garage. Also dedicated on Friday were the Rev. Howard Toriumi Plaza and the bronze Japantown landmark recently moved to the plaza from its temporary location at the Union Center for the Arts. At right, Toriumi daughters Laura Stephens and Yuhara are joined by Perry in front of the plaque dedicated to their father, Rev. Toriumi (1916-1987), who led the congregation at Union Church. “Dad loved the church and the people of this community. This is the perfect setting for a plaza in recognition of our father,” said Stephens.