By ELLEN ENDO, Rafu Shimpo
During the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California’s annual installation and awards luncheon on Jan. 28, returning president Haruo Takehana called for support for the victims of the Jan. 1 Ishikawa earthquake that has claimed 236 lives to date, destroyed roads, collapsed buildings, and triggered a tsunami.
Kenko Sone, consul general of Japan, expressed his appreciation for messages of encouragement he received following the earthquake and said that the people of Ishikawa are beginning to put their lives back together.
Takehana, former director and president of the Japanese Community Pioneer Center, is also vice chair of the Japanese American Treaty Centennial Scholarship Fund. He is an active community leader and heads his own company, Takehana Real Estate Services.
JCCSC, one of the Japanese American community’s most venerable organizations, was founded in the early 1900s by members of the Issei generation and continues to promote business development, cultural heritage, and goodwill between the U.S. and Japan.
The chamber recognized kendo master Masashi Shikai with the Nikkei Spirit Award. Immigrating to the U.S. at age 11, he developed an interest in kendo at age 15. Mentored by Torao Mori, a legendary swordsman skilled in both kendo and European fencing, Shikai today is a leading proponent of the martial art.
In 2006, Shikai instituted a different training regimen for Team USA, leading to a historic win against Team Japan. Team USA remains the only team to ever beat the Japanese team.
Born in Kumamoto, he was honored in 2000 by Kumamoto’s governor, Yoshiko Shiotani, for his contributions to social, cultural, and economic exchanges and international goodwill.
The Community Organization Recognition Award (CORA) was presented to the Little Tokyo Business Association.
In accepting the award on behalf of LTBA, President David Ikegami commended the Little Tokyo business community for “managing to stay positive while weathering the challenges of the pandemic the last four years.”
He continued, “We love our Japanese culture and hope to show everyone that visits (Little Tokyo) what it means to be Japanese and Japanese American.”
LTBA was incorporated in 1959 but its founding dates back to 1908, when 40 businesses operated along a two-block stretch of East First Street between Los Angeles Street and Central Avenue. Today, there are over 400 businesses in the 11 blocks that comprise Little Tokyo.
In recent years, LTBA’s programs have expanded into the areas of safety, cleanliness, business assistance, advocacy, charitable causes, education, and promotion. Among LTBA-hosted events are Shogun Santa appearances during the holidays, an annual party for children experiencing homelessness, a business forum featuring Nikkei entrepreneurs, and Community Care Day in collaboration with Council District 14 and 10 partner organizations.
Los Angeles County Superior Court commissioner Robert M. Kawahara, who is the Little Tokyo Towers board president, served as installing officer for the JCCSC officers and Board of Directors.
Officers serving with Takehana are: Consul General Kenko Sone, honorary president; Grace Shiba, executive vice president; Trudy Nodohara and Yuriko Shikai, senior vice presidents; Paul Abe, Akiko Agishi, Junzo Arai, Akira Fujimoto, David Kudo, Toby Mallen, Happy Mizutani, and Masatoshi Ohata, vice presidents; Tomoko Omura, treasurer; Carl Kawata, Kitty Sankey, and Jeff Yamazaki, advisors.