July 24th 2022 O.A.

2022 Nisei Week Opening Ceremony

Sunday, July 17th was the opening ceremony for Nisei Week at Little Tokyo’s Japanese American National Museum.

Nisei Week is the largest Japanese American summer festival in the US, and this year marks the 80th time.

The festival had to be canceled after 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19, so this is the first in-person event in 3 years.

First, the Japan Business Association of Southern California chairman, Hironori Koyabashi greeted everyone as the sponsor of the ceremony.

Followed by the announcement of the theme songs for the grand parade that will happen on August 13th.
In remembrance of the Japanese dance instructor, Sumako Azuma who passed in 2020, “Kawachi Otokobushi” and “One Wish” was chosen, which are also choreographed by Azuma-style Japanese dance.

The grand marshal for this year is George Sugimoto who is a veteran and a businessman. Parade marshals are Olympians, Maia and Alex Shibutani who competed in figure skating.

Finally, 7 candidates for the 2022 Nisei Queen were introduced.

Emily Shigeko Kumagai, nominated by San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center.

Faith Sumiko Nishimura, nominated by Venice Japanese Community Center & Venice-West Los Angeles JACL.

Maile Tabata Yanguas, nominated by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America.

Audrey Emi Nakaoka, nominated by Gardena Evening Optimist Club.

Lorie Hatsuko Meza, nominated by Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.

Amanda Akiko Hiraishi, nominated by East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.

And Kristine Emiko Yada, nominated by Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council.

The queen will be chosen at the Coronation Ball that will be held the night before the grand parade.

Varieties of events like food festivals will also be held during Nisei Week.

For more information, please visit the Nisei Week website.

2022 JABA Installation & Awards Gala

July 15th was the 45th Annual Installation & Awards Gala for the Japanese American Bar Association, JABA at Downtown LA.

JABA is a non-profit organization founded in the 1970s by attornies who experienced the internment camp during WWII.

With about 200 members, they contribute to the community by providing free legal consultations and training young attornies.

420 members and special guests attended the gala.
The newly elected officials took their oaths and Stacy Tomita was chosen as the new president.

3 individuals were awarded for their contribution to the community.

Jon Osaki has been actively involved in the healthy rearing of young people mainly in San Francisco and also directed a documentary.

David Ono is a news anchor for ABC News and has been awarded many times for his historical documentaries telling the stories of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Don Tamaki has been involved in war reparations for the Japanese Americans with Fred Korematsu in the 1980s and has since worked in history education. More recently, he has been fighting for the rights of African Americans.

Pechanga Sushi and Sake Festival

Saturday, July 9th was the Sushi & Sake Festival held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

This is the 2nd time for this all-you-can-eat sushi and sake event. Part of the profit will go towards Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, a group that supports living for those in a housing crisis.
The event is a part of Pechanga Casino Resort’s community activity.

10 thousand pieces of sushi, 5 types of sushi rolls, ramen, meat, and vegetarian foods were also served at the event.
Breweries and distributors provided more than 40 types of alcohol like Japanese sake and beer, so guests were able to taste and enjoy a variety of beverages.

Entertainments like Japanese taiko drumming and tuna cutting performances liven up the Japanese-themed festival.

Pechanga Casino Resort is one of the largest resort casinos in the US.
AAA has given them a Four Diamond Rating since 2002. Every year, AAA conducts unannounced reviews of 59,000+ hotels and restaurants all throughout North America and ranks them accordingly.

“Pechanga Resort Casino and their steakhouse received a 4 Diamond Rating again this year.
It is said that only 4.8% of about 30,000 businesses that get reviewed by AAA receive the Four Diamond Rating.

Pechanga also received AAA Inspector’s Best Of Award for Housekeeping and for the massive pool complex “The Cove “.

Please visit the Pechanga Casino Resort website for details about future events and facility information.