Nisei Week Announces 2019 Parade’s Grand Marshal, Parade Marshal

The Nisei Week Foundation proudly hosts its 79th annual summer event with free cultural activities for all ages. The Nisei Week Japanese Festival features a Grand Parade as part of its first weekend of events, which will make its way through the streets of Little Tokyo on Sunday, Aug. 11, starting at 4 p.m.

The parade will be led by the 2019 grand marshal, Akemi Miyake, community leader and long-time volunteer, and parade marshal, the Los Angeles Clippers, partner of the Japanese American Basketball Night. The parade procession will start at Central Avenue and head west on Second Street, turning north on San Pedro Street, turning east on First Street, then turning south and ending on Central.

The parade will feature traditional taiko drum performers, local community groups, high schools, elected officials and representatives from Nagoya, Los Angeles’ sister city in Japan, and the newly crowned 2019 Nisei Week queen and court.

Grand Marshal – Akemi Miyake

Akemi Miyake was born on Aug. 12, 1919 in Arcadia to Jitsuo and Makiko Miyake. At age four, Miyake and his family moved back to Japan with his sisters, Akeko and Miyako. His other three siblings, sister Chiyoko and brothers Akede and Tsukimi, were born in Japan. Miyake graduated Shiwa Agricultural High School in 1937. After graduation, he returned to America. Miyake worked at Sawada Farms in Gardena with his older sister Akeko and brother-in-law Yukinao Sawada.

In March 1942, he relocated to Salt Lake City to avoid being detained in a WWII internment camp. Miyake farmed celery during the day and worked at the Grand America Hotel as a dishwasher in the evening. In October 1945, he married Hisako Kurosu and returned to Los Angeles.

Along with Yukinao, he first farmed in Long Beach, then settled in Stanton under H.Y. Sawada Farms, later becoming Sawada and Miyake Farms. In 1957, Miyake became part of a 10-year farming exchange program between the U.S. and Japan. Approximately 125 Japanese trainees came and lived on the Stanton farm to learn American agriculture. He continued farming strawberries, tomatoes, citrus and vegetables until his retirement in 1995.

With the passing of Yukinao in 1960 and his wife in 1979, he became even more committed to giving back to the community. HIs father taught him the importance of giving back when he first left Hiroshima and honored him by doing so. Miyake served as president of the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai (1981-1982), Japanese Pioneer Service Center (1985-1989), Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (1988-1990), and Dai Nihon Nokai Southern California Council (1993-1998).

While serving as the president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, he had the honor of attending the funeral of Emperor Hirohito in 1989 and attending the coronation of Emperor Akihito in 1990.

From 1982 to 1990, he served on the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) board of directors and helped raise funds for the JACCC building, Aratani Theatre, and the Japanese American National Museum. In 1990, Miyake continued to support the arts by taking an advisory role in Japanese cultural arts, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, and flower arranging.

Many of Miyake’s involvements continue today. He started the Southern California Gate Ball Association in 1987, served as inaugural president for many years, and continues to play in his spare time. He also was one of the founding members of the Orange County Japanese American Association and was president from 1987 to 1990; today, he serves as a member of the board of directors. Miyake continues to support the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, which raises money to benefit orphans in Japan.

Some of Miyake’s many awards and accomplishments include: Agricultural Society of Japan’s Ryokuhakujuyukosho Award (1963),Agricultural Society of Japan’s Kohakuju Award(1982), Government of Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (1983), Little Tokyo Centennial honoree(1984), Little Tokyo Service Center Pioneer Award(1986), Nisei Week Pioneer Award and Pacific Pioneer Award(1992), Government of Japan’s Order of the Sacred Treasure Gold Rays with Rosette (1996), Agricultural Society of Japan’s Shihakujuyukosho Award (2000).

Miyake resides in Villa Park and has six children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He says, “Thank you very, very much” to the Nisei Week Foundation for the honor of being selected grand marshal.

Parade Marshal – Los Angeles Clippers

Nisei Week Foundation President David Yamahata, the Nisei Week Court and Aki the Akita at Japanese American Community Night on March 30. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)

The L.A. Clippers established their home in Los Angeles in 1984, after starting in New York. Led by Chairman Steve Ballmer, the Clippers in 2018-19 are competing in the franchise’s 49th season and 35th in Los Angeles. They extended a franchise record, completing its seventh consecutive winning season in 2017-18. The team has logged the NBA’s fifth-best record over the course of head coach Doc Rivers’ five-year tenure.

The Clippers are committed to the city of Los Angeles and through the L.A. Clippers Foundation, provide resources and opportunities that make a positive difference toward leveling the playing field for youth in Southern California. The Clippers also make an effort to engage with the diverse communities of Los Angeles and have partnered with the Nisei Week Foundation since 2005 to put on Japanese American Community Night.

Visit the Clippers online at clippers.com or follow them on social media @LAClippers.

Clippers mascot Chuck the Condor with Mirai Nagasu and Aaron Takahashi. Chuck will be appearing in the Grand Parade on Aug. 11. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)

For more information, visit www.NiseiWeek.org, call the Nisei Week Foundation office at (213) 687-7193 or email info@niseiweek.org. The Nisei Week office is located at 244 S. San Pedro St., Suite 303, Los Angeles, CA 90012.