Nisei Week Baby Show

The Nisei Week Baby Show was held on July 30th in Little Tokyo.

The show drew 52 babies and young children of Japanese lineage from 1 year old to 6 years.

Families watched with excitement the smiles of the young ones on stage. Then, based on the spirit of their smiles, the King and Queen were chosen for each age group.

The Baby Show first started 20 years ago as a kick-off event for Nisei Week. The crowned Kings and Queens will ride in a car in the Nisei Week parade on August 14th.

Union Bank

A donation ceremony for Nisei Week in Little Tokyo was also held on July 27th. Union Bank and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ donated $20,000 to the Nisei Week Foundation.

Union Bank is also one of the supporters for the earthquake relief, and as a group has donated a total of $6.3 million so far.

Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony

Council of the Southern Kenjinkai former chairman, Mack Makoto Miyazaki and United States Kendo Federation Advisor, Maki Hiroyuki Miyahara were chosen to be the Spring 2011 recipients of the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

Miyahara received the award diploma and Gold Ray medal at a ceremony that took place at the Consul General’s residence in Los Angeles.

Miyahara has been a major contributor to spread and development of kendo in the United States. He has been recognized for his part in spreading Japanese culture in this country through his guidance in swordsmanship, training and exchanges in sport between Japan and the U.S.

In addition, Mack Miyazaki was also recognized for his role in spreading Japanese culture in the United States through improving the involvement of the Japanese American community in Southern California.

Hope For Sendai

Sumera Rokita, a graduate student in Los Angeles and Sendai native who has lost 27 close friends and relatives, including a beloved brother, in the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March, has been preparing for her charity event “Hope for Sendai” for months now.

UTB continues to follow Rokita through her final days of preparation and into event itself, which turned out to be quite a success.