Tomo Hirai

Pleasant Hill

Production and Editorial Staff at Nichi Bei Weekly

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Articles

Shiori Ito reflects on leaving Japan and making ‘Black Box Diaries’

Nov 9, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Shiori Ito left Japan in 2017 after accusing journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi of raping her in 2015. The news earned her considerable anger from Japan’s right wing, but also made her an icon to some as a survivor. Nine years after the incident, she released “Black Box Diaries” at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, an autobiographical documentary film chronicling the experience.
Cautious optimism for Salt Lake City Japantown’s future

Nov 5, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Billionaire Ryan Smith’s Smith Entertainment Group envisions a new sports, entertainment, culture and convention district in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Utah Jazz owner is seeking to renovate the Delta Center arena and the Salt Palace convention center in a multi-billion dollar mixed-use development, and Salt Lake City’s Japanese American community wants a seat at the table.
‘If I can do it, you can do it’: yes2next teaches simple exercises to keep active

Oct 29, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Aiko Sokolowski was not expecting to be a YouTuber at age 83, but her daughter, April Hattori, convinced her to give it a try during the pandemic. “Originally, I thought it was just one video,” she told the Nichi Bei News. “She asked me, ‘Do you want to do a video with me? And we can go through the exercises.’ Sure, one video is fine with me, never thinking that it would become — what are we up to?
Sixth Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage emphasizes importance of genealogy, honors original immigrants

Oct 21, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Ten years on, an inordinately hot day served as a callback to the inaugural Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage, but some 250 attendees braved through with ample water and tents for shade Oct. 5 as they sat at the former site of the Angel Island Immigration Station’s administration building to participate in a day dedicated to Nikkei pioneers and genealogy. The program began with taiko by PJ Hirabayashi’s TaikoPeace performing a collaboration with Bonbu Stories, and a blessing by the Rev.
Imparting the ‘Zen of Glenn’ for a new generation

Oct 10, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Glenn Horiuchi evoked the times through his music to capture the formation of Asian Americans as an identity in the 1960s and 1970s. Although he died in 2000, a former bandmate and several San Francisco Bay Area musicians are now recording a retrospective album to ensure his music is accessible for a new generation. Chris Trinidad, a Filipino Canadian bassist, said he started working with Francis Wong, a Chinese American saxophonist, in the summer of 2023.
‘Free Chol Soo Lee’ wins historical documentary Emmy

Oct 10, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

“Free Chol Soo Lee” won an Emmy for “outstanding historical documentary” at the 45th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards on Sept. 26 in New York. Julie Ha, the documentary’s director, accepted the award as producer Su Kim held the trophy next to her. Sandra Gin and Ranko Yamada, two people featured in the film, along with Sebastian Yoon, the film’s narrator, flanked Ha as they accepted the award. “This film grew out of love.
Ten-Ichi faces imminent eviction following building sale

Sep 29, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

Yoichi and Sachiko Amano opened Ten-Ichi in February of 1978. Located near Japantown in the neighboring Upper Fillmore area, the restaurant is two doors down from the now-shuttered Clay Theater on Fillmore Street. The restaurant now faces eviction. “We never thought it was going to close,” Steve Amano, the current co-owner, told the Nichi Bei News. “We never thought we’d be asked to leave.”Amano said he now runs the restaurant with his sister, Saori Amano O’Reilly.
Noguchi Museum bans keffiyeh, fires gallery attendants

Sep 12, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

The Noguchi Museum in New York has been facing protests and internal strife since sending home a gallery attendant Aug. 14 for wearing a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestinians on a regular basis. The museum’s leadership, which formally banned the traditional Middle Eastern headdress Aug. 21, then fired three gallery attendants on Sept. 4 who had continued to wear them. Amy Hau, the museum’s director, sent Trasonia Abbott home Aug. 14.
Family seeks missing children after mother’s death

Aug 30, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

As Angelica Bravo’s family grieves her death, 4-year-old Athena Lee and 2-year-old Mateo Lee remain missing along with their father. According to the Sacramento Police Department, police and fire personnel found 28-year-old Angelica Bravo dead July 8 in a North Sacramento, Calif. home, which she previously shared with her ex-partner, Camron Lee. Lee, however, along with their two children Athena and Mateo, have been missing since then.
SF JACL attempts to appease critics of Japantown mural

Aug 22, 2024 | nichibei.org | Tomo Hirai

The San Francisco chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League seeks to mollify community concerns as criticisms have continued to mount following three community meetings held in May and June regarding their proposed history mural. The project leaders have expressed their willingness to work with those raising their concerns, but opponents feel the discussion is not moving forward.