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1 month ago | 
zocalopublicsquare.org | Gwen Muranaka
In the frantic final month before the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) pavilion closed for an extended renovation, the museum rushed to stage an exhibition of Mario Reyes’ work. For years, Mario had been the photo editor of the Rafu Shimpo, the Los Angeles Japanese American daily newspaper. Now, his health was failing. In late September, he summoned me and his longtime friend Darlene Kuba to his Boyle Heights home.
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2 months ago | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKA“This was our little paradise,” John Nishio said, standing in his Japanese garden last Saturday. He watched as stone-by-stone, family and friends pitched in to help carefully move his beloved Japanese stone lanterns from his home in Pasadena, weeks after it was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. The smell of burnt plastic and smoke still lingers in the air.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKATraditions and the importance of adapting and passing them to future generations was a theme of the Nichibei Fujinkai (NBFK) luncheon held at the consul general’s residence in Los Angeles on Oct. 26.
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Nov 22, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKAFor one night only, The Phantom was in the house. Davis Gaines, who has performed the lead role in “The Phantom of the Opera” more than 2,000 times on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco, sang at an intimate gathering on Oct.
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Oct 28, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By Gwen MuranakaMy Dear Friends,It has been the honor of my life to work in the Japanese American community as a reporter and editor here at The Rafu Shimpo. And so now this chapter of my life is drawing to an end. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s the right one. I’m filled with gratitude and appreciation for this community and all the friends I have been able to make in my years here.
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Oct 24, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKARAFU SENIOR EDITOR“Oh, what a night!” Rob Fukuzaki shared after the Dodgers clinched the pennant, setting up a World Series against the New York Yankees that is sure to be a classic. Fukuzaki is incredibly busy as an award-winning journalist who is well-known as the weekday sports anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles and host of the post-game show “Sports Zone.” Less known is his charity work helping underprivileged kids through the Heads Up Youth Foundation.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKARAFU SENIOR EDITORTORRANCE — On Oct. 12, the biannual medical examinations of atomic bombing victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki coincided with the news that a Japanese group of survivors had been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to draw attention to the horrors of nuclear war. Nearly two dozen hibakusha came to the Osato Medical Clinic in Torrance for the exams, which have been conducted by a team from Hiroshima since 1977.
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Oct 18, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKARAFU SENIOR EDITORGARDENA — Supporters of Kelsey Iino’s reelection campaign for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees held a “Karate Kid”-themed fundraiser on Oct. 5 at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. Iino wore a yukata — a nod to Tamlyn Tomita, who played Kumiko in “Karate Kid II” and the Netflix series “Cobra Kai” — and the gathering of more than 100 danced “Tanko Bushi” with taiko performed by Naomi Hayase.
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Oct 10, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo |Gwen Muranaka |Jun Nagata
By GWEN MURANAKA and JUN NAGATARAFU SHIMPO STAFF WRITERSAs Shohei Ohtani celebrated his postseason debut with a booming three-run homer on Saturday, a delegation from his hometown of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture were among the thousands at Dodger Stadium to celebrate. The game capped off a busy week that was highlighted by the signing of a friendship city agreement with Torrance last Tuesday, aimed at boosting economic, civic and business relations between the cities.
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Oct 10, 2024 | 
rafu.com | Gwen Muranaka
By GWEN MURANAKARAFU SENIOR EDITORIn a reverent moment, nine natori taught by the late Sumako Azuma I and her daughter Sumako Azuma II performed to Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” gracefully concluding with a moment of prayer. The song was choreographed for Japanese classical dance by mother and daughter and is a testament to their determination to bring Japanese culture to an American audience. On Sept.
