The first weekend of the 82nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival came to a close on Aug. 11 with the Grand Parade, which made its way through the streets of Little Tokyo.

The following individuals and groups participated (in order of appearance):
LAPD Capt. Raul Jovel, commanding officer of the Central Area.

The colors of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion and 522nd Field Artillery Battalion of World War II.

Japanese American veterans of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Some veterans walked while others rode in vintage military vehicles and a trailer pulled by a Tanaka Farms tractor.

Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Kenko Sone and his wife, Mami.

Nisei Week Pioneer Spirit honorees June Aochi Berk, Patricia Kinaga, Barbara Shirota and Diane Kawata Watanabe, accompanied by family members and friends.

Representatives of the Japanese American National Museum.

Winners of the Nisei Week Baby Show: Tiny Tots — Princess Kimiko Uba, Prince Kai Pitcher, Most Photogenic winners Sanoe Takahashi Deantonio and Brayden Tsunei-shi; Romper Stompers — Princess Kadence Rapanut, Prince Keanu Seto, Most Photogenic winners Alanni Nakamura and Kaizen Imada; Jet Setters — Princess Alia Rapanut, Prince Mikachi Chinen, Most Photo-genic winners Tsumugi Chinen and Joshua Angeles. They were accompa-nied by their parents along with Baby Show chairperson Walter Nishinaka and emcees Aaron Takahashi and River Williams.

Grand Marshal David Ono, ABC 7 Eyewitness News anchor and creator of “Defining Courage,” a show dedicated to the Nisei soldiers of World War II. He was accompanied by actress Tamlyn Tomita, also a frequent emcee at community events.

Los Angeles-Nagoya Sister-City Affiliation (LANSCA), represented by Teru Weinberg, chairperson, and Makio Yamada, Nagoya’s director of international relations.

Pyua 02, a Nagoya-based business association that annually hosts the Nisei Week Court during their trip to Nagoya, represented by Kazuhiko Fujii, president; Hiroyuki Katsuta and Eiichi Suzuki, directors; and Kanako Suzuki.

Dancers led by Hanayagi Rokufukumi, this year’s Nisei Week choreographer and an active participant in the festival for over 50 years.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi of Torrance, his wife, Hiroko Higuchi, and their daughter, Sophia.

The Montebello-Ashiya Sister-City Agreement (MASCA), represented by Student Ambassadors Nao Hashimoto and Tomohiro Shibabuki from Ashiya. (Montebello Student Ambassadors Isaac Flores and Ben Richards are still in Japan.)

Members of the L.A. Kimono Club, including 2024 Miss Kimono Goaty Boone, wearing a furisode, and President Akane Mashimo, wearing a homongi.

The 2023 Nisei Week Court: Queen Kaitlyn Chu, First Princess Sara Kubo, Miss Tomodachi Nancy Chin, Princess Aiko Dzikowski, Princess Kamalani Higashiyama, Princess Kaili Inouye and Princess Isabella Polizzotto. They rode on a float sponsored by Japan Airlines.
Athletes from Nikkei Games: Games for the Generations, who gave judo demonstratons and invited members of the audience to shoot hoops. They were joined by Olympian karateka Sakura Kokumai, karate sensei Minobu Miki and judo pioneer Hayward Nishioka.

The mobile office of the Japanese American Community Credit Union, which goes to various community events.

The Meiji Ondo Group from San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center in Pacoima. They have participated in the parade for 23 years.

The Nisei Week Public Ondo Dancers, a group that anyone can join.

Representatives of L.A. Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority).

WizStars Hip-Hop Dance Group, a program of Japanese-Speaking Parents Associaton of Children with Challenges.

Members of Rissho Kosei Kai Buddhist Center of Los Angeles, carrying a matoi, which symbolically sweeps away evil spirits, and a mando, a symbol of the Buddha’s pagoda.

Representatives of the World War II Camp Wall, which will be built in Torrance: President Nancy Hayata, founder Kanji Sahara and Torrance City Councilmembers Sharon Kalani, Asam Shiekh, Jon Kaji and Jeremy Gerson. Members of Boy Scout Troops 719 and 310G carried the WWII Camp Wall banner and banners representing the 10 War Relocation Authority camps.

The Nisei Week Foundation Marching Band, directed by Richard Ferrin and Ted Yamada, and Odori Dancers, choreographed by Shihan Imoto Hoshunjyu of Kotobuki no Kai. They were joined by the Disneyland Alumni Club.

Parade Marshal Amy Hill, an actress whose many film and TV credits include NBC’s “Magnum, P.I.” She was joined by her daughter, Penelope, and friends Emily Kuroda and Ken Takamoto.

Nisei Week Pioneer Award recipients Gwen Muranaka and Grace Shiba. Honoree Margaret Shimada was unable to attend.

Japan House Los Angeles, represented by President Yuko Kaifu.

Nippon Minyo Kenkyukai Hos-hun Kai, a folk dance group led by Hashimoto Hoshunki. They have participated in the parade for over 32 years.

The Manzanar Baseball Project, represented by Dan Kwong. The goal is to restore the baseball field at Manzanar to its wartime configuration.

The court from the Honolulu Junior Chamber of Commerce Cherry Blossom Festival: Queen Tory Nakata, Miss Congeniality Shellee Takara, Miss Popularity Reiko Ramirez, Princess Megan Annoura and Princess Rachel Yonamine. Their float was sponsored by Japanese Village Plaza.

The Los Angeles Fire Department, represented by Deputy Chief Rich Fields, Fire Commissioners Genethia Hudley-Hayes and Jimmy Hara, and Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations (retired) David Yamahata.

The court from the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco: Queen Claire Inouye, First Princess Kelly Toma, Princess Julianne Ho, Princess Aimee Kanadjian and Princess Kami Kodama. Their float was sponsored by MUFG.

Kotobuki no Kai, a traditional minyo dance group led by Shihan Imoto Hoshunjyu and based at Centenary United Methodist Church in Little Tokyo. The group has participated in the parade for over 25 years.

Asayoru Maid Café, a Monterey Park-based group inspired by the Akihabara Maid Café.
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, represented by President Haruo Takehana and his wife, Yuriko.

A marching unit from the Little Tokyo Historical Society, including President Mike Okamura.

Rafu Mutsumi Kai, a Los Angeles-based cultural performing arts group participating in the parade for the 30th time. They carried a mikoshi or portable shrine.

Cars from the Nisei Week Dekocar Show, produced by Ken Miyoshi.

East West Players, represented by Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal, Managing Director Eugene Hutchins and other staff members.

Nisei Week Inspiration Award recipient James Choi of Café Dulce, Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award recipients Kenji Suzuki of Suehiro and Go For Broke National Education Center.

Los Angeles Taiko Collective under the direction of Walter Nishinaka, on a float sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Little Tokyo Cosplay Gathering members dressed as their favorite anime and manga characters. The group is led by Angel Padilla.

Little Tokyo Business Association, represented by President David Ikegami.

Actor Christopher Sean, who is the English voice of Ken Sato in Netflix’s “Ultraman Rising.”
Robert Vargas, creator of Little Tokyo’s Shohei Otani mural, “L.A. Rising.” A lighting ceremony for the mural was held later that evening.

Nebuta float inspired by the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori, accompanied by Haneto dancers and Nebuta Bayashi musicians.

Nisei Week Foundation President Joann Shin Cordeiro, accompanied by her husband Mike and son Jake. She was the 1996 Nisei Week Queen.

2024 Nisei Week Court: Queen Morgan Mayuko Gee, First Princess Seia Loraine Watanabe, Miss Tomodachi Amy Ryoko Kubo, Princess Anita Sumi Yayi Komatsu, Princess Carina Aiko Sakimura and Princess Caitlyn Tera Sasaki. The float was sponsored by U.S. Bank. The coronation was held the previous evening with the Honolulu and San Francisco courts in attendance.

Photos by JUN NAGATA/Rafu Shimpo (except where noted)

Articles for you