The Rafu Shimpo

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The Rafu Shimpo is the premier newspaper of the Japanese American community. Since 1903, it has provided bilingual coverage and analysis of Nikkei news in Los Angeles and beyond. Visit the Rafu Shimpo website to read articles and to explore subscription options for print and online news.

Updated September 2015

business en

Obituary: Hank ‘Toto’ Kagawa, Owner of Fish King Market

By The Rafu Shimpo
6 Apr 2023

Fish King in Glendale has announced that Hank “Toto” Kagawa passed away on the morning of March 16. He was 92. “Since 1956, Hank worked hard to grow Fish King, Inc. and provide a family atmosphere for all of us,” the company said on Instagram. “Please join us to mourn the passing of Hank Kagawa and keep his memory alive by continuing to strive to be your best.” Located at 722 N. Glendale Ave., Fish King is an independently owned specialty seafood market offering various amounts of fresh and frozen seafood daily, along with poultry, groceries, and house-ma…

business en

OBITUARY - Juan Pollo Restaurant Founder Albert Okura, 71

By The Rafu Shimpo
17 Feb 2023

Albert Ryo Okura, the founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain and a major figure in the fast-food industry, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 27 at the age of 71. Juan Pollo issued the following statement: “Albert was an entrepreneur characterized by his unwavering work ethic, resolute determination, and passion. He believed that it was his destiny to personally sell more chicken than anyone in the world. “His journey started in 1984, where he opened the first Juan Pollo in Ontario, Calif. Even through widespread doubt of his success through his peers, he set a personal dead…

culture en

Architect Gyo Obata, Founding Partner at HOK, Dies at 99

By The Rafu Shimpo
25 Apr 2022

ST. LOUIS — Gyo Obata, FAIA, a world-renowned architect who cofounded HOK in 1955 with a vision for enhancing lives through building design, passed away on March 8, 2022. He was 99. Obata was one of three principals who built HOK from a regional, St. Louis-based architectural practice into one of the world’s most respected global design, architecture, engineering and planning firms. His distinguished career spanned six decades. From the time of his retirement in 2012 and continuing into 2018, he maintained an office in HOK’s St. Louis studio, where he regularly se…

community en

Bishop Diana Akiyama Breaking Ground for Asian American Women

By The Rafu Shimpo
22 Aug 2021

PORTLAND — The Rt. Rev. Diana D. Akiyama was ordained and consecrated as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon on Jan. 30 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland. Akiyama was the first Japanese American woman ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, and she is the first Asian American woman consecrated bishop in the Episcopal Church. She is the first bishop to be consecrated at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in over a century. Ordained in 1988 in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon, Akiyama has extensive experience in Christian formation, teaching, social justice advocacy a…

war en

Graphic Novel Recalls Experiences of 442nd RCT

By The Rafu Shimpo
13 Mar 2019

Against the contemporary backdrop of the immigration debate and family separation, of nationality-based travel bans and ultimately, the debate over what it means to be a loyal American, a trio of Japanese American artists has created 442, a graphic novel that recounts the experiences of members of their families and of their community who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which became the most decorated unit in the history of American warfare for its size and length of service. Made possible by a grant from the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program, which supports pro…

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Postwar Japanese Emigration to the Dominican Republic — Part 1: A Tragic Tale

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第３部：金子正則知事の南米訪問とその主な見解

Nikkei Chronicles #12

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The Little Match Girl — Debut Ballet Performer Yurino Niyama

Kenny Kusaka’s Calling—How he chose stand-up comedy as his service

The Nakashima Process Book: A New Book By Mira Nakashima, The Daughter of Famed Woodworker George Nakashima

The Kawamoto-Wipala Farm in Leland, Washington: A Farm for the Ages — Part 5

Journal Entry #Written in '34: "The Bizzaro Version..."

Camp Survivor Recalls Killings at Manzanar

Interpreting Lost in Translation 20 years later

Ayumi Takenaka: “Even though we don’t have an exact definition of Nikkei cuisine, its origins are in Peru”

Dr. Ryuzo Yanagimachi—Heads or Tails?

In American Dream

The Kawamoto-Wipala Farm in Leland Washington: A Farm for the Ages — Part 4

Relearning our culture

Pictures of Belonging: Rediscovering Three Remarkable Japanese American Artists

Growing Up Nikkei As An Adoptee—A Conversation with Author Susan Ito

Chapter 16 (Part 2) — Activities of Kibei Japanese American Citizens League

The Kawamoto-Wipala Farm in Leland Washington: A Farm for the Ages — Part 1

The Legacy of Resistance: Nimura/Kashiwagi Family at Ireichō

Journal Entry #3 Days Left: "Menacing Mitts..."

Embracing Imperfection: A Journey of Self-Exploration in Japan

The Amazing Tashiro Family - Part 2: Ken Tashiro, Journalist

The Poker Table—Part 2

Shared Memories

Journal Entry #First Appeared in 1940: "A Wild Hare..."

Continental Drift: How anti-Japanese sentiment in Australia affected Nikkei Communities in the US and Canada

Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 6

The Kawamoto-Wipala Farm in Leland Washington: A Farm for the Ages — Part 2

A New Look at Nisei Veterans: Lawrence Matsuda and Matt Sasaki’s Fighting for America

Journal Entry #4 Harbingers: "Armageddon Anxiety..."

Keeping the Beat: The Story of Legendary Drummer Paul Togawa

Chapter 7—Home Leaver

The Poker Table—Part 3

Tribute to Amy Uyemastu: After — Part 5

Dr. Jiro Takai's Journey of Becoming From the Soo to Nagoya University — Part 5

In it for da Long Haul: Grant Kagimoto Shares da Secret to Cane Haul Road's Longevity

Chapter 8—The Way Home

The Kawamoto-Wipala Farm in Leland Washington: A Farm for the Ages — Part 3

Artist Audra Furuichi Meets Her Match—How she created her nemu*nemu comic empire

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Papa Was a Samurai Warrior!

An Albuquerque Childhood

The Poker Table—Part 4

Historian Arthur A. Hansen on his latest book, Manzanar Mosaic

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Will Ireton Uses Analytics, Trackman to Help Dodger Players Improve Their Performances

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Journal Entry #Only 6? Really?: "The Despair of Driving..."

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On the Road with the Atomettes

Chapter 16 (Part 1) — Activities of Kibei Japanese American Citizens League

**Read the Growing Up Nikkei stories!**

Artist Audra Furuichi Meets Her Match—How she created her nemunemu* comic empire