By Gwen Muranaka
My Dear Friends,
It has been the honor of my life to work in the Japanese American community as a reporter and editor here at The Rafu Shimpo.
And so now this chapter of my life is drawing to an end. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s the right one. I’m filled with gratitude and appreciation for this community and all the friends I have been able to make in my years here.
I started at Rafu for what I thought was a part-time job as I returned from Tokyo to work on a degree in graphic design in October 2000. The newspaper was still on Los Angeles Street, publishing six days a week. Happy Iino, Akemi Hata, Michelle Field and Mrs. Hotta were some of the smiling faces that would greet us every day.
When I first interviewed for the job, then-assistant editor Takeshi Nakayama recognized me from my days working for Pacific Citizen and a few years later, then-managing editor Ellen Endo thought I would be a good fit to lead the English department.
And of course there was Mario Reyes, photographer and dear friend, who showed me how to work and interact in the community. It says something about how special Mario is that this Mexican American from Boyle Heights has come to embody the JA community in Southern California. For decades, so many important moments have been recorded by his lens.
Some of the highest praise I ever received was from Mario, who said that postwar publisher Aki Komai would have liked me, would have appreciated my work ethic. For years, I kept a quote from Aki taped to my desk. It seemed like it was my task to help guide our contributing writers and encourage them to keep writing and sharing their stories.
It was so strange, when I was asked to be editor, I never had a feeling of a job that just was such a perfect fit given my experiences living in Japan, the skills I have as a writer and illustrator, and my background as a Japanese American.
It hasn’t been easy. The deadlines have always been there — having to file stories, take photos, cover events, do page layout, and it’s only gotten more difficult as the years have gone by. There have been good times and also very dark times. There were a lot of late nights, working weekends and holidays and lots of stress. Upper management decisions have not made things easier. It takes a toll.
There have also been so many wonderful times — especially the opportunity to meet some incredible people and document the ways they make the JA community strong.
It’s what has made these last few months difficult. There have simply been too many stories to write, too many people to interview. But it’s now my turn to pass this along to others, although I must admit to still wanting to continue to write.
I look to those like Madame Fujima Kansuma, who would never think of stopping her dancing, or Yosh Nakamura, who continues to inspire as an educator and artist. Maybe it’s a Japanese thing, but it feels like I’m only starting to hit my stride as I get older.
I thank The Rafu Shimpo for giving me so many opportunities to work and thrive here.
Thank you to publisher Michael Komai. While we did not often see eye-to-eye, The Rafu has driven all of these experiences that have filled my life. And for that, I will always be grateful for my time here. But, after all this time, what we think of The Rafu is too different for me to continue. For the sake of all of those who still work here, for all of those who read the paper, and for all of those who still believe in what Rafu has stood for, I hope for Rafu’s continued success.
I thank my co-workers: Rona Minami, J.K. Yamamoto, Mikey Hirano Culross, Brian Shin, Jun Nagata, Tomoko Nagai, Yumi Ouchi, Yoko Otsuki, Izumi Hasegawa and Yukikazu Nagashima. Thank you to the contributors who I’ve had the honor of working with, sometimes for decades: Sharon Yamato, Bill Yee, Bill Watanabe, Warren Furutani, Mary Kao Uyematsu, Akemi Dalvi Patti Hirahara, Sunny Seki, Mark Kuroda, Brett Fujioka, Tim Yamamoto, Mariko Lochridge, Gann Matsuda, Ken Hayashi and Judd Matsunaga, and so many others. There are others whose bylines we do not necessarily run but who are always there to share press releases and announcements of their groups. Also to the staffs of Fukui and Kubota mortuaries.
Thank you.
In particular I’d like to acknowledge Gail Matsui, Kenji Tokunaga and Gail Miyasaki. Tokunaga-san has been the steady hand taking care of Japanese pages and advertising all these years. The fact that there are more Japanese pages than English means that Tokunaga-san has had to toil that much harder than the rest of us.
There are two Gails at Rafu, which can be confusing. We call Gail Matsui “little Gail” and Gail Miyasaki “big Gail” — even though neither of them is taller than 5’ 2”.
Gail Matsui is tiny, but she has such a big heart and is always willing to help out, often working ’til late at night, both with Rafu and in organizations and events such as Brian Kito’s Mochi Madness, Tanabata Festival, Nikkei Games, Rising Stars and the JACCC. Besides her regular work, she delivers Rafu to Nijiya in the mornings and also brings the newspaper and our mail to J.K. and me since we work from home.
“Big” Gail is the daughter of Aki Komai. For years she was the craft show editor and wrote “Krafty Korner” as well as taking care of advertising, handling requests from clients, daily copy editing and even coming up with recipes for the holidays. For special issues, she would always end her messages with an inspirational quote, often from an inspiring woman such as Michelle Obama or Maya Angelou.
This was the last one she shared with all of us before her retirement next month, written by poet Cleo Wade:
“Gratitude is a celebration we are all invited to.”
I am grateful for every opportunity I have had at Rafu, and I look forward to more opportunities in the future as a member of this Japanese American community.
It’s been a privilege to document an incredible year in the JA community that has been made magical by the success of Shohei Ohtani, and the national recognition of the artistry of June Kuramoto. They were both at it again on a warm weekend in October.
A theme for both Shohei and June is change. Ohtani left the Angels last year for the Dodgers and postseason success. June forged a path distinct from her teacher Kazue Kudo to reach new heights of musical innovation with Hiroshima.
On Sunday at JANM, June said something that I take to heart as I move towards a new phase of life: “Change is good. Change is positive. Don’t be afraid of change.”
Finally and most importantly, thank you to the readers …
For so many, The Rafu has been part of your lives for generations. This publication has been a common thread since before the war and has been there to inform, to celebrate our accomplishments and mourn our losses individually and as a community.
Your support has been a guiding light. I will remain forever grateful.
Domo arigato gozaimasu.
Gwen Muranaka can be contacted at jtownbeat@gmail.com or on Instagram at @gwenmuranaka.