日本語のお知らせはこちらから To you, our loyal readers, we cannot thank you enough for your support throughout the years. For more than a century, The Rafu Shimpo has reported on news and events that have shaped the Japanese American community. Today we are at a crisis point. For the last three years, The Rafu has been losing […]
Posted inEnglish
Actress Ming-Na Wen’s Star Unveiled on Walk of Fame
Rafu Wire Service and Staff Reports Actress Ming-Na Wen was honored with the 2,757th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 30. The star is located at 6840 Hollywood Blvd. adjacent to the El Capitan Theatre. Wen was awarded her star in the category of Television. With Steve Nissen, president and CEO of […]
Posted inHistory
Salute for a 442nd Soldier
Girl Scout Troop 4345 members Kaili Fuchino, Kiara Yoshida, Lyla Brown, Ella Dessert, Jolie Brown salute at the grave of Noboru Kagawa and his wife, Shizue, on May 27. More than 100 scouts from Girl Scout Troop 4345, Boy Scout Troops 683, 242, 719, 378 and Scouts BSA Troop 310G paid tribute to veterans from […]
Posted inCommunity
Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act Introduced in House and Senate
WASHINGTON — Reps. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) and Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte) were joined by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) on May 31 to announce the first bicameral introduction of the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, which would curb mental health stigma in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. According […]
Posted inCommunity
Entrepreneurs to Share Tips for Success at June 6 Forum
Three Japanese American entrepreneurs will bring their business experiences and insights during a forum and dinner meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 6, from 6 p.m., at the Miyako Hotel, 328 1st St. in Little Tokyo. Presented by the Asian Business Association of Los Angeles in partnership with the Little Tokyo Business Association, the […]
Posted inReligion
Screening of ‘Only Yesterday’ at Faith UMC
TORRANCE — The Japanese animated feature “Only Yesterday” (1991) will be screened on Sunday, June 11, at 3 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 2115 W. 182nd St. in Torrance. Directed by Isao Takahata, “Only Yesterday” (Japanese title: “Omoide Poro Poro”) is about a 27-year-old office worker who travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her […]
Posted inCommunity
Recipients of Kimi Sugiyama Human Service Award Named
LONG BEACH – Each year the Kimi Sugiyama Human Service Award is presented to individuals in the Grace First Presbyterian and Long Beach Japanese American community who exhibit “outstanding creativity and self-sacrifice in extending God’s love to others.” This year, the award was given to Joyce Okazaki, a crucial voice in the education of Japanese […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘On This Side of the World’ Extended at EWP
Snehal Desai, producing artistic director of East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running Asian American theater and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works, announces the extension of the world premiere musical “On This Side of the World.” With music and lyrics by Paulo K Tiról and created with and directed by Noam Shapiro, […]
Posted inObituaries
Kenji Frank Uyetake
Funeral services for the late Kenji Frank Uyetake, 78-year-old, Arkansas-born, resident of Seal Beach, who passed away peacefully on May 22, 2023, will be held on Friday, June 9, 11 a.m. at Gardena Buddhist Church, 1517 W. 166th St., Gardena, Calif. He is survived by his loving family: wife, Pam Sasuga; sons, Kenny (Amanda) Uyetake […]
Posted inObituaries
Lorada Hisako Inouye
Lorada Hisako Inouye (101), born on July 17, 1921, in Fresno, Calif., a resident of Los Angeles, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2023. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Marsha (Tara) Kikue. She is survived by her sons, Craig (Karen) and Wayne; grandchild, Akimi; and her brother, George. She is also survived […]
Posted inObituaries
May Nomura Arakawa
May Nomura Arakawa (91), born on May 8, 1932, in Sacramento, Calif., a resident of Woodland Hills, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Wallace Jensaburo Arakawa. She is survived by her daughters, Katherine (Vernon) Yonemura, Joyce (Kurt) Tahira, and Janice (Martin) Arakawa-Hoyt; grandchildren, Kayla, Elizabeth, […]
Posted inObituaries
Claire Sekiguchi
October 4, 1938 — May 18, 2023 Claire Sekiguchi, beloved wife, devoted mother, and accomplished professional, passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 84. She was born to Shizuko and Dr. Henry Kawamoto Sr. on October 4, 1938, in Long Beach and raised in Boyle Heights, Calif. Claire’s vibrant life was centered […]
Posted inEnglish
A Yearly Clean Sweep in Little Tokyo
The annual Little Tokyo Sparkle, also known as Nancy Kikuchi Volunteer Day, was held May 20 with more than 400 participants of all ages. The program opened in JACCC Plaza with remarks by lead organizers Brian Kito and Steve Nagano and a taiko performance by Walter Nishinaka. After picking up their tools and Little Tokyo […]