[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 142 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAFU SHIMPO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 10, 2003

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Rafu 
Shimpo, a bilingual English-Japanese newspaper published, distributed, 
and read avidly in my Congressional District, celebrating their 100th 
anniversary.
  The history of The Rafu Shimpo is an important part of both American 
and Japanese American history and heritage, created in Los Angeles.
  In April 1903, three young men, Rippo lijima, Masaharu Yamaguchi, and 
Seijiro Shibuya produced the first mimeographed news bulletin to the 
Los Angeles area Japanese-speaking community. Its title comes directly 
from the community it serves--Rafu Shimpo means Los Angeles area 
newspaper--ra from Rashogiri, the old Chinese name for Los Angeles, fu 
is prefecture or area, and shimpo is newspaper.
  Beginning in 1914, under the new management of Henry Toyosaku (H.T.) 
Komai, the newspaper began to grow. In February 1926 he added an 
English language section with the help of a 20-year-old UCLA education 
major, Louise Suski. By 1932, the English section became a daily 
feature.
  On April 4, 1942, The Rafu Shimpo ceased publication as Americans of 
Japanese descent were forcibly removed to desert internment camps. At 
the end of the war in 1945, though other Japanese Americans were 
released, H.T. Komai continued to be detained in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
But the Komai family's dedication to publishing The Rafu Shimpo 
persevered. H.T.'s son, Akira Komai, with a $1500 loan from three other 
staff members, rebuilt the newspaper.
  The newspaper grew rapidly after World War II, from a circulation of 
500 in 1946 to 20,000 over the next 30 years. Today, H.T.'s grandson, 
Michael Komai, serves as the 3rd generation publisher, a position he 
has held since 1983. The award-winning daily has over 45,000 readers 
and prevails as the premier news source for the Los Angeles area 
Japanese American community.
  As part of The Rafu Shimpo's 100th anniversary celebration, an awards 
banquet will be held in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 16, at the 
Century Plaza Hotel. The yearlong anniversary celebration will also 
include special recognitions from the Japanese American National 
Museum, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Asian American 
Journalists Association and Asian Business League.
  The 100th anniversary of The Rafu Shimpo is another milestone in the 
rich history of Los Angeles as well as the history of America, and I 
join the Los Angeles Japanese American community in celebrating this 
wonderful legacy.

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