Today’s News
Fun Time Fundraiser for Gardena Social Hall
Gardena Buddhist Church and its Forward Project hosted a dance benefit on May 17 at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo to raise much-needed funds to improve their aging Social Hall — built almost 50 years ago — and facilities. Along with live music by Kokoro, the event featured line dancing lessons, door prizes…
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Downtown LA
Little Tokyo Sparkle Cleanup Day May 17
The annual Little Tokyo Sparkle/Nancy Kikuchi Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will gather at JACCC Plaza, 244 S. San…
J-Town/Bronzeville Suite: A Tale of Two Cities
Dave Iwataki’s musical tribute to eras of Little Tokyo history comes to East West Players on May 23. By MIYA IWATAKISPECIAL TO THE RAFU Dave Iwataki was walking…
An Afternoon of Nostalgic Tunes
The L.A. Kansai Club presented the Spring Singing Festival on April 13 at Nishi Hongwanji Betsuin in Little Tokyo. Co-presented by Karin Creations, the concert featured 24 local…
LAAPFF to Screen Documentary ‘Yonsei’ May 7
The closing night of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will include Rachel Michio Whitney’s short documentary “Yonsei” on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. at Democracy…
South Bay
City of Torrance Unveils New WWII Camp Wall Design
The World War II Camp Wall (WWIICW) was on the April 22 Torrance City Council meeting agenda. Torrance Community Services and General Services presented a schematic design for the monument…
Matsutoyo Kai Celebrates 60th Anniversary June 1 in Gardena
Since its founding in 1965, Matsutoyo Kai (led by Matsutoyo Sato) has dedicated itself to the promotion and preservation of traditional Japanese folk music. On Sunday, June 1,…
Memorial Day Service at Gardena Valley JCI
The Gardena Nisei Memorial VFW Post 1961 will hold its annual Memorial Day service honoring all deceased post who served in defense of our country on foreign…
Torrance Concert to Bring Sights, Sounds and Spirit of Ryūkyū Islands
On Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m., the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will bring the sights, sounds, and spirit of the Ryūkyū Islands to the James R.…
West LA
Japanese Chefs United Donates to L.A. Fire Department Foundation to Firefighting Efforts
In response to the recent devastating fires in Altadena and Los Angeles, Japanese Chefs United, a coalition of local Japanese restaurants, has made a charitable donation to the Los Angeles…
Most AAPI Incumbents Re-elected to Congress
Rafu Wire Service and Staff Reports Among AAPI candidates in California congressional races on Nov. 5, incumbents were generally successful while challengers came up short, but one Orange…
Celebration of Giant Robot’s 30th Anniversary
Greater Los Angeles JACL, co-hosting with Sansei Legacy, will present “Giant Robot: Asian American Pop Culture” online on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. The book…
After Over 80 Years of Service, F.K. Nursery in Sawtelle Closes
By CHRIS KOMAI As the Kageyama family prepared for the closing of F.K. Nursery in the Sawtelle area of West Los Angeles on June 28, Eric, the youngest…
Obituary
Roxane Hiroe Ige-Okazaki
A memorial service for the late Roxane Hiroe Ige-Okazaki, 53-year-old, California-born, resident of Los Angeles, who ed away on May 14, 2025, will be…
Evelyn Izumi Ryozaki
Sept. 1, 1956 – April 6, 2025 Evelyn “Boo” Ryozaki was born in Yokohama, Japan. She moved to Los Angeles, California, with her parents…
Yaye Karasawa
Funeral services for the late Yaye Karasawa, a 91-year-old, Los Angeles, California-born, resident of Palos Verdes Estates, who ed away on May 21, 2025,…
Pamela Mary Hamashita
Pamela Mary Hamashita, 73-year-old, Los Angeles, Calif.-born Sansei, ed away peacefully on March 20, 2025. Per Pam’s request, no services will be held. She…
Andrea “Andie” Kimura
A funeral service for Andrea “Andie” Kimura, 37-year-old, Los Angeles, Calif.-born Sansei who ed away on May 4, 2025 in Santa Monica, Calif., will…