New head for Japanese Association of Southern California

November 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Sadao Tome, 72, was elected as the next executive director of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California (Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai) by its board in October. The association is the unified body for the 40 kenjinkai (prefectural associations) from Japan’s total of 47 prefectures. The Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, which is the largest non-profit organization run by Japanese people in California, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding next year.

The new executive that Tome will lead will start from February next year. The association is a large organization in which about 100 current and former chairpersons are involved as directors. There have been three former executive directors of the association from Okinawa including the late Shoichi Tamae, Yasukazu Takushi and Chogi Higa.

Originally from Motobu Town, Tome moved to the United States in 1970. He studied at California State University after graduating from Glendale College.
Tome served as the president of the Okinawa Association of America in 2005 and 2006. He became a member of the executive board of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California in 2005, and has assumed key positions such as executive, accounting and special accounts. He has contributed articles on the activities of Okinawan people in the United States to the Ryukyu Shimpo since 1999. In 2009, he published a book entitled, “Living in America” and became a member of the Japan Essayist Club in 2008.

Tome said, “I am determined to play a significant role in the development of the association. It is a great honor for me to assume this role. I want to provide leadership as a facilitator, maintaining physical strength, economic strength and good overall judgment.”

(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)

Go to Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]