Kanji Sahara, a resident of Torrance, Calif., passed away on February 15, 2025 at the age of 90. Kanji was born on April 4, 1934, in Hiroshima, Japan. He was raised by Shosaku and Ayako Sahara along with his three older sisters, Mariko, Sumire, and Toshiko, in Los Angeles until his family was incarcerated in Santa Anita, Jerome, and Rohwer concentration camps.
After the war, the family moved to Chicago, where Kanji received a BS from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a PhD in electrical engineering from Northwestern University. He returned to California and launched his career with General Dynamics.
In 1963, he married Jane Sachi Sakata, and together they raised their children, Richard and Judy, in Claremont.
After a long career, Kanji retired to Torrance in 1998 and found himself even busier. He immersed himself in spending time with his grandchildren, collaborating with his sisters in documenting their family history, traveling, taking classes, volunteering at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and bringing music to Gardena seniors every Wednesday for 25 years with his sing-along ukulele group.
He found his true calling educating people about the injustice he endured being incarcerated during the war and was involved with the Japanese American National Museum, the Japanese American Citizens League, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, and the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task Force.
His final project was obtaining funding for the World War II Camp Wall in Torrance to list the names of all who were incarcerated during the war.
Kanji is survived by his children, Richard (Lydia) Sahara and Judy (Ben) Tang; grandchildren, Kristen, Kaitlyn, Nicole, Nathanael, and Evangeline; sister, Toshiko Sahara; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane.
A memorial service honoring Kanji will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 3 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, located at 2115 West 182nd Street, Torrance, CA 90504. Reception to follow.