By J.K. Yamamoto

The 2025 Women of the Year Luncheon, hosted by the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California and the Downtown L.A. Chapter of JACL, was held May 4 at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello.

Opening remarks were made by George Kita, president of Downtown JACL; Yuriko Shikai, president of JWSSC; and Mami Sone, wife of Consul General Kenko Sone and honorary president of JWSSC.

The annual event dates back to 1963, and many past honorees were in attendance.

This year’s honorees:

Kimiko Fujita, a volunteer with the Orange County Japanese American Association since 1999, who has served as a director, vice president and, since 2013, president. She also organized its Japan Culture Fair for 10 years. She has been active with Keiro Services, the Ikebana Association and the Aurora Foundation, and recently joined the board of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California.

Fujita was introduced by Keiro President and CEO Beverly Ito.

Elaine Keiko Inoue, a volunteer for the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center’s Hot Meals lunch program since 2009 and the program’s supervisor since 2014. In that role, she has incorporated fun and creativity in the foods served at the center while updating the food preparation process with efficiency and nutrition. It has warmed her heart to cook for her extended ohana of over 150 people at the center.

Inoue was introduced by Ryan Kagiyama, her grandson.

Jean Kodama, who has a long association with the Southeast Japanese School and Community Center (SEJSCC) in Norwalk, where her mother, Mary Uwate, was instrumental in establishing the annual summer carnival, Norwalk Kendo Dojo in 1964, and shuji (Japanese calligraphy) classes in the 1970s. Kodama has been head instructor of Norwalk Dojo since 2006.

Kodama was introduced by Yuriko Shikai, JWSSC president, attorney, and member of Little Tokyo Business Association, Southern California Kendo Federation and other community organizations.

Darlene Kinuko Kuba, who has served the Japanese American community for over 50 years. In 1976, as executive assistant to Los Angeles City Councilmember Gilbert Lindsay, she developed the City Council motion to create Little Tokyo Nutrition Services, which has provided critical nutrition and supportive services to seniors living in the Boyle Heights and Little Tokyo communities with Kuba as its chairperson since inception.

Kuba was introduced by her husband, William Fujioka, former CEO of Los Angeles County.

Yuko N. Uyesugi, who has devoted many years of community service promoting chado (tea ceremony). She joined the Los Angeles chapter of Urasenke Tankokai more than 35 years ago and served as its chief administrative officer from 2015 to 2018. In 2009, she founded the nonprofit Yusuian Foundation to share chado with the greater community and support charitable organizations that aid victims of natural disasters. With the help of her husband, George, she created a tearoom named Yusian in Malibu. It was lost in the Palisades Fire, but with her students’ and friends’ support, she plans to rebuild.

Uyesugi was introduced by Sunao Sugita, who works at The Mat West Company with Uyesugi’s husband, George.

Heidi M. Yoshioka, who has played in and then coached Japanese American basketball teams, served as president of the Southwestern Law School Alumni Association Board from 2012 to 2014, and participated in the Japanese American Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She has aided and encouraged other women by being on the Steering Committee for RISE, a group of women lawyers committed to supporting the professional growth and advancement of women lawyers to partnership, general counsel and other high-ranking professional positions.

Yoshioka was introduced by Candice Shikai, treasurer of the Japanese American Bar Association.

Special guests included Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena), State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles) and Lauren Hodgins, chief of staff to Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis was unable to attend but sent a congratulatory message. The honorees were presented with commendations from Congress and the State Legislature.

Fujita thanked expressed thanks on behalf of the honorees. Kita gave closing remarks.

Serving on the Luncheon Committee were Joy Chinn, Jan Fukuhara, George Johnston, Toshie Kawaguchi, George Kita, Rodney Nakada, Miyuki Namiki, Sachiko Okazoe, Mari Robinson, Tomoko Sakurai, Kitty Sankey, Yuriko Shikai, Patricia Sookdet and Amy Tambara.

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