Rafu Shimpo

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San Fernando Valley JACL Installation Luncheon

Jan 15, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

The San Fernando Valley JACL will hold its installation luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Sakaguchi Hall at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, 12953 Branford St., Pacoima. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. for registration. The guest speaker at is Kazuo Yakura, the first Japanese American U.S. Secret Service agent. He began his career in 1963 just months before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Crowds Flock to Little Tokyo for New Year Kick-Off

Jan 15, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

By ELLEN ENDORAFU SHIMPOTwenty-six years ago, when the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) leaders announced the launch of the first Oshogatsu celebration, their biggest challenge was trying to convince Little Tokyo merchants to keep their shops and restaurants open on a holiday. It took years, but the Oshogatsu crowds grew steadily, last week reaching visitor estimates between 6,900 and 13,200, according to data compiled by the Little Tokyo Business Association.
Takano Condemns DOD Nominee Hegseth’s Attacks on LGBTQ+ Servicemembers

Jan 14, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

WASHINGTON – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside), the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to Congress, released the following statement on Dec. 12 following a CNN report on comments from President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, regarding LGBTQ+ servicemembers and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT):“Attacking policies that allow LGBTQ+ servicemembers to serve in uniform openly is a disgrace.
JANM Announces Program Changes

Jan 14, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

Due to the ongoing fire emergency and recovery efforts, the following programs originally planned at the Japanese American National Museum this week have been changed:Wednesday, Jan. 15: Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities with Sam Mihara. This lecture presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities will be rescheduled to a later date. Saturday, Jan.
‘Transbordering: From Wakayama to California’

Jan 14, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

Join the Museum of Modern Art Wakayama and the Japanese American National Museum for “Transbordering: From Wakayama to California” on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at JANM, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo. This transnational symposium will bring together scholars from the U.S. and Japan to discuss transpacific migration and the preservation of Nikkei history. The event will begin with opening remarks from Kristen Hayashi of JANM and Kanae Aoki and Iichiro Okumura of MOMAW.
Mitsuye Endo Posthumously Receives Presidential Citizens Medal

Jan 14, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

WASHINGTON — President Biden has named 20 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, including the late Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi. The medal is awarded to U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice. The awards were presented at the White House on Jan.
Where to Find Help

Jan 13, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

While the scale of the ongoing wildfire disaster is enormous, coordinated relief and assistance efforts for those affected have already begun to take shape. The best place to start is the website created by the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center. It has information and resources that are constantly being updated. Go to: https://recovery.lacounty.govLocal Assistance & Disaster Resource Centers will open to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 1 to 8 p.m. Starting Wednesday, Jan.
Eaton Canyon Fire Wreaks Catastrophic Havoc in Altadena

Jan 13, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

RAFU STAFF AND WIRE SERVICE REPORTSALTADENA. – A homeowner in the Rubio Canyon section of Altadena simply refused to evacuate late Wednesday morning. “I’ve been here since 5 a.m. and no one is coming to help. I worked my ass off for this house and I’m going to protect it. It’s my home and it’s all I’ve got,” he insisted.
Those We Lost in 2024

Jan 13, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

Following are some of the notable individuals who passed away during the past year. Akebono, 54, on April 6. Originally from Hawaii, he was sumo’s first foreign-born yokozuna and an 11-time grand tournament winner. He helped fuel a sumo boom in the 1990s. Sakaye Aratani, 104, on March 18.
At-risk Missing Person Last Seen in Malibu

Jan 10, 2025 | rafu.com | Rafu Shimpo

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Detail on Jan. 10 asked for the public’s help locating an at-risk missing person, Jeffrey James Takeyama. He was last seen on Jan. 7, near the 23000 block of West Paloma Blanca Drive in Malibu. Takeyama is described as a 69-year-old Asian male adult, 5’10”, 170 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and missing left eye. He was last seen wearing a hat, black glasses, short-sleeve shirt, and black sweatpants.