The San Fernando Valley JACL held its 84th installation luncheon on Jan. 24 at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center in Pacoima.
The program opened with a performance by San Fernando Valley Taiko and welcoming remarks by 2025 Nisei Week First Princess Megan Miyamoto, who represents SFVJACC. Rev. Yukari Torii of San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple conducted a meditation.
The guest speaker was Howard Kakita, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor and dedicated advocate for nuclear disarmament. Born in California and raised in Japan during World War II, he experienced the horrors of the Hiroshima bombing first-hand, surviving with his brother despite being less than a mile from the hypocenter.
After the war, he reunited with his family in the U.S., overcoming immense challenges to earn engineering degrees from UCLA and build a successful career.
Since joining the American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors (ASA) in 2008, Kakita has shared his story at schools and public events, shedding light on the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons, which are now much more powerful than those dropped on Japan. Last year he spoke at Hiroshima-Nagasaki commemorations at Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo and Gardena Buddhist Church.
He told the gathering that his hope is to inspire action toward a world free of nuclear threats and promote peace for future generations.
Chapter officers were installed by Dominique Mashburn, vice president for membership on the JACL National Board. May Wood delivered the president’s message.
The other board members are Linda Tanaka, Nancy Takayama, Marcia Mahony, Barbara Okita, Kristen Fujitaki, Nancy Gohata, Jean-Paul deGuzman, Tomo Hattori, Mitzi Kushida, Michiko Kus, Geri Shiraki and Patty Takayama.
Later, more entertainment was provided by L.A.’s 33 Strings Koto Ensemble.
The program closed with an expression of gratitude by Rev. Torii and a door prize drawing.