Stuff contributed by fukuda
October 30th "Worldwide Uchinanchu Day" - Takako Yamashiro, who connects Okinawa Prefecture and overseas Uchinanchu Associations
Keiko Fukuda
Okinawa Prefecture takes the lead in launching a portal site Okinawa Prefecture stands out from other prefectures when it comes to building networks and close communication with people of Okinawan descent overseas. One major event that embodies these bonds is the "World Uchinanchu (Author's note: "Uchinanchu" is the Okinawan word …
Will America's udon culture follow in the footsteps of ramen?
Keiko Fukuda
A former civil servant who came to the U.S. to try "the same udon noodles as in Japan" When I moved to Los Angeles from Japan 25 years ago, ramen culture had not yet blossomed here. There were only a few soba noodle shops, udon shops such as " Sanuki …
Southern California Oita Kenjinkai: The struggles of a small organization and the success of its 100th anniversary
Keiko Fukuda
I came to Los Angeles in 1992. I discovered that there were prefectural associations here, and I became somewhat involved with the Oita Prefectural Association of my hometown, but I hadn't been there in about 10 years. In the fall of 2016, I had the opportunity to attend a social …
"I want to appear in an American movie" - Japanese actress Eriko Tamura fulfills her childhood dream
Keiko Fukuda
Studying languages during breaks from filming dramas In the 1990s, Tamura Eriko was an idol singer and actress in the Japanese entertainment industry. She moved to the United States in 2000 and after numerous auditions, won leading roles in 20th Century Fox's "Dragon Ball Evolution" and the popular TV drama …
Peace Activist Passes Away at 90 – Remembering the Energetic Kaz Suyeishi
Keiko Fukuda
Call Me Grandma
Yoshihiro Toume, who connects Uchinanchu around the world from his base in Los Angeles
Keiko Fukuda
Planning a food event at a U.S. military base in Okinawa I think it was around 2005 when I first met Yoshihiro Tome, who is involved in the food import business from Japan, including Okinawa, in Los Angeles. Koichi Takeuchi, the publisher of the Japanese magazine "TV FAN," introduced me …
Kabuki researcher and translator, second generation Japanese-American born in Colorado - Akira Oshima Mark
Keiko Fukuda
Japanese people involved in Kabuki In November, I received an email from the Japan Foundation announcing an event, as usual. It was about a film adaptation of the stage play starring Ichikawa Ennosuke that had been a big hit in Japan, "Super Kabuki II One Piece," to be screened at …
From Oita to NY and then to LA after getting married: A missionary of Japanese spiritual culture - Torrance resident Fumiko Kugimiya
Keiko Fukuda
My daughter's ballet training was the trigger for me to move to the US The so-called "Shin-Issei" are people who were born in Japan but emigrated to America of their own volition. Kugimiya Fumiko, who currently lives in Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles, decided to move to America when …
Yuko T. Koach, who runs a beauty school and is also active as a leading Hollywood hair stylist
Keiko Fukuda
Shelved her dream to go abroad and became a hairdresser. She entrusted her dreams to her daughters and went to the United States. I knew the name of Yuko T. Koach (Japanese name: Yuko Tokunaga), who was the hair stylist for "Memoirs of a Geisha" and Michael Jackson's final work …
Elena Ashmore, A Cast Member From The Popular Reality Show Born This Way
Keiko Fukuda
Real lives of young people with Down Syndrome - Depicting the relationships with their parents and their dilemma