Keiko Fukuda
@fukudaKeiko Fukuda was born in Oita, Japan. After graduating from International Christian University, she worked for a publishing company. Fukuda moved to the United States in 1992 where she became the chief editor of a Japanese community magazine. In 2003, Fukuda started working as a freelance writer. She currently writes articles for both Japanese and U.S. magazines with a focus on interviews. Fukuda is the co-author of Nihon ni umarete (“Born in Japan”) published by Hankyu Communications. Website: https://angeleno.net
Updated July 2020
Stories from This Author
October 30th "Worldwide Uchinanchu Day" - Takako Yamashiro, who connects Okinawa Prefecture and overseas Uchinanchu Associations
Nov. 27, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
Okinawa Prefecture takes the lead in launching a portal site Okinawa Prefecture stands out from other prefectures when it comes to building networks and close communication with people of Okinawan descent overseas. One major event that embodies these bonds is the "World Uchinanchu (Author's note: "Uchinanchu" is the Okinawan word for people of Okinawan descent) Convention," which has been held in Okinawa every five years since 1990. Takako Yamashiro, who became the Director of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the …
Will America's udon culture follow in the footsteps of ramen?
Nov. 13, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
A former civil servant who came to the U.S. to try "the same udon noodles as in Japan" When I moved to Los Angeles from Japan 25 years ago, ramen culture had not yet blossomed here. There were only a few soba noodle shops, udon shops such as " Sanuki no Sato " in Gardena, which is still in business even though the owner has changed, and "Kotohira" in Tozai Plaza, which had just opened. In his hometown of Oita …
Southern California Oita Kenjinkai: The struggles of a small organization and the success of its 100th anniversary
Oct. 18, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
I came to Los Angeles in 1992. I discovered that there were prefectural associations here, and I became somewhat involved with the Oita Prefectural Association of my hometown, but I hadn't been there in about 10 years. In the fall of 2016, I had the opportunity to attend a social gathering with the Southern California Oita Prefecture Association and a group of people from Oita Prefecture who were visiting Los Angeles to promote Oita Prefecture specialty products in the American …
"I want to appear in an American movie" - Japanese actress Eriko Tamura fulfills her childhood dream
July 21, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
Studying languages during breaks from filming dramas In the 1990s, Tamura Eriko was an idol singer and actress in the Japanese entertainment industry. She moved to the United States in 2000 and after numerous auditions, won leading roles in 20th Century Fox's "Dragon Ball Evolution" and the popular TV drama "Heroes." We had the opportunity to talk to Tamura, who still lives in Los Angeles. When asked why she wanted to go to America, having spent her childhood in Germany …
Peace Activist Passes Away at 90 – Remembering the Energetic Kaz Suyeishi
June 21, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
Call Me Grandma Kaz Suyeishi would start off her talks on peace by calling out to her audience, “Please call me grandma.” Often in conversations about the atomic bomb, a sense of antagonism emerges between those who dropped the bomb — the United States — and those who suffered the attack — Japan. Those speaking for Japan may charge the United States with taking tens of thousands of innocent, civilian lives, which those speaking for America may try to justify …
Yoshihiro Toume, who connects Uchinanchu around the world from his base in Los Angeles
April 7, 2017 • Keiko Fukuda
Planning a food event at a U.S. military base in Okinawa I think it was around 2005 when I first met Yoshihiro Tome, who is involved in the food import business from Japan, including Okinawa, in Los Angeles. Koichi Takeuchi, the publisher of the Japanese magazine "TV FAN," introduced me to him, saying that "an acquaintance of mine from Okinawa was looking for someone who could write." After that, I wrote reports on events that Tome held, and also accompanied …
Kabuki researcher and translator, second generation Japanese-American born in Colorado - Akira Oshima Mark
Dec. 5, 2016 • Keiko Fukuda
Japanese people involved in Kabuki In November, I received an email from the Japan Foundation announcing an event, as usual. It was about a film adaptation of the stage play starring Ichikawa Ennosuke that had been a big hit in Japan, "Super Kabuki II One Piece," to be screened at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. There, I saw the name of Akira Oshima Mark as a commentator. Upon investigation, I found out that he was a Japanese-American born in Colorado. …
From Oita to NY and then to LA after getting married: A missionary of Japanese spiritual culture - Torrance resident Fumiko Kugimiya
Nov. 11, 2016 • Keiko Fukuda
My daughter's ballet training was the trigger for me to move to the US The so-called "Shin-Issei" are people who were born in Japan but emigrated to America of their own volition. Kugimiya Fumiko, who currently lives in Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles, decided to move to America when she was approaching her mid-50s. Moreover, she ran a vocational school in Oita City called Oita Air Business Academy for people aiming to work in the aviation industry. In addition …
Yuko T. Koach, who runs a beauty school and is also active as a leading Hollywood hair stylist
Sept. 29, 2016 • Keiko Fukuda
Shelved her dream to go abroad and became a hairdresser. She entrusted her dreams to her daughters and went to the United States. I knew the name of Yuko T. Koach (Japanese name: Yuko Tokunaga), who was the hair stylist for "Memoirs of a Geisha" and Michael Jackson's final work "This Is It". I heard that she was going to be a lecturer at a workshop at a beauty school in Little Tokyo one day in August, so I went …
Elena Ashmore, A Cast Member From The Popular Reality Show Born This Way
Sept. 2, 2016 • Keiko Fukuda
Real lives of young people with Down Syndrome - Depicting the relationships with their parents and their dilemma When you hear “Born This Way,” you would think of the big hit song by the diva, Lady Gaga. But recently, if you search the phrase, this A&E reality show will pop up first. Yes, the much-talked-about reality show featuring young people with Down Syndrome. It is not only the talk of the town, it is being so highly regarded it even received a nomination …
