Former JACL Executive Director Tateishi Among Cohort Saluted by Japan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced that John Tateishi, (see March 6, 2020 Pacific Citizen, tinyurl.com/2b2pzk6n), who served the Japanese American Citizens League as executive director, National Redress Committee chair and National Redress director, was among the many who will be awarded Foreign Minister’s Commendations on
Oct. 1 for his “promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S.A.” The commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with “outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.” For FY 2026, there were 159 individuals and 67 groups recognized. The complete list of awardees is at tinyurl.com/3jfpn5hv.
In related news, on Sept. 18, Principal John Hopper of Colorado’s Granada High School was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, from the Consulate General of Japan in Denver. He founded and has served as the president of the Amache Preservation Society. During WWII, a War Relocation Authority Center, also known as Camp Amache, was located near Granada, Colo. Between 1942-45, it incarcerated 7,318 people of Japanese heritage, including U.S. citizens. It was named a National Parks Service National Historic Site in 2024.
George, Brad Takei Pledge to Bequeath Estate Valued at $21M to JANM
The Japanese American National Museum has announced that George Takei and Brad Takei have pledged that the museum will be the sole beneficiary of their estate, presently valued at more than $21 million. “It is an honor for the Japanese American National Museum to be the sole beneficiary the Takei estate,” said JANM President and CEO Ann Burroughs. “George’s and Brad’s commitment to our mission and their iconic leadership in tackling the toughest civil rights issues in our country continue to inspire the work we do every day.” Best-known for being a member of the ensemble cast of the original “Star Trek” TV series, actor George Takei (see Dec. 19, 2019, Pacific Citizen, tinyurl.com/ybm5dj9r) has a résumé that also includes books and graphic novels, as well as movies and live theater. (Read more at tinyurl.com/bdhb936u.) In related news, on Oct. 7, the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will present its Freedom of Information Award to JANM CEO and President Ann Burroughs. Among the six journalists to be awarded 2026 Distinguished Journalists Awards are ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Gardena Valley News and Culver City News editor Gary Kohatsu.
Duly Noted: OC Black Chamber to Honor Past JACL Nat’l Prexy Ken Inouye
On Oct. 1, the Black Chamber of Orange County will honor Kenneth Inouye with its 2026 Distinguished Service Award at its 42nd annual banquet for his years-long record of exceptional leadership. It will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Hilton. TV director Hiro Murai won an Emmy in the category Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 78th Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 for an episode of Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.” On the technical side, winning an Emmy in the category Outstanding Stunt Coordination for Drama Programming for the Prime Video series “The Boys” was supervising stunt coordinator John Koyama. Other Emmy winners: character designer Takashi Okazaki for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for “Star Wars: Visions” (Disney +); producer Claire Tadokoro for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series for “Colbert Before Air” (YouTube); and key costumer Kellie Ishisaki for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “Beef” (Netflix).
— P.C. Staff