Photos courtesy Steve Furogawa
Kishin Daiko performs during the Japanese American Senior Citizens Club gathering Jan. 17 in Montebello.

On Jan. 17, 173 members and guests gathered at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello to attend the Monterey Park Japanese American Senior Citizens Club installation and New Year’s celebration.

Kevin Onishi, the chief operations officer of Keiro, gave a brief address. Monterey Park Japanese American Senior Citizens Club President Janice Uba thanked him and Keiro for their generous sponsorship of the club.

The Golden 88-Year Lifetime Membership Award recipients, from left: Henry “Hank” Oga, Sam Matsunaga, Grace Hatae and Edward Endo.

One of the important functions of the event is to honor the members who are newly 88 years old. Nine members were invited to be honored but unfortunately, only four were able to attend.

After lunch, the program resumed with the installation of the board members. Onishi did the honors by swearing in the 2026 officers.

After being sworn in, Uba awarded a certificate to the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. This year’s deserving honoree is Stan Kawamoto, corresponding secretary. In addition to fulfilling his prescribed duties, he often goes above and beyond the call of duty by regularly helping to set up and take down audio equipment for meetings. He also recently instituted a website for the club on his own initiative.

The 2026 MPJASC board members: Susan Cambell, Steve Furogawa, Pat Gibo, Dorris Hasegawa, Paul Isozaki, Stan Kawamoto, Christine Kazuka, Karen Lee, Eddie Maki, Harriet Taguchi, Janice Uba, Stan Yamada, Donna Yamashita, Harry Yamashita, Jean Yamashita and Ray Yamashita.

Entertainment was provided by Kishin Daiko, who provided very lively and upbeat music.

Because of the multitude of generous business and private donors, every person who attended won some sort of door prize. It ended up being a very enjoyable event, even though the recent shootings of dancers in a Monterey Park ballroom, the devastation of the L.A. wildfires and the ongoing ICE raids around the country were on the minds of many.

–Submitted by Steve Furogawa

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