Who is Involved in the Project?

Harold Haruo Aihara
Retired now, Harold Aihara, was once a a pastor at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church in Orange County (in Southern California). Born in Japan, he came from the United States to Canada as a pastor of the Toronto Japanese United Church. As a pastor to many American G.I.'s he had first-hand experiences of the divided identity of Japanese immigrants to North America during wartime. He was able to bring his perspectives to bear through his highly scholarly contributions to the project.

[Kawano, Roland]

Roland M. Kawano
The current chairman and treasurer of the project, Roland Kawano was instrumental in the formation and development of the J.C.C.C.H.P. Making large contributions in research, writing, editing and securing funding for the project, he has supported the project since its inception. Having worked as a priest for many years, Dr. Kawano has done extensive work on multiculturalism and issues of ethnic diversity and justice.

[Kawano, Shinji]

Shinji Kawano
As a pastor of the Hamilton Japanese United Church, Shinji Kawano earned a Doctorate in Ministry researching the generations of Japanese in his own congregation. He has also received four units of Clinical Pastoral Education in Hamilton hospitals. Recently, he has switched parishes and become the pastor of the Toronto Japanese United Church.

[Komiyama, May]

May Komiyama
The oldest member of the project, May Komiyama was fairly young when the Second World War broke out. She attended nursing school at Vancouver General Hospital, but was forced out because of the war. Her family was sent to the Kaslo internment camp, and remained there for the duration of the conflict. Personal experience with the plight of Japanese-Canadians and the help they received from churches was one force motivating her to join the project.

[Pearson, Sonjie]

Sonjie Pearson
Sonjie Pearson, who had spent some time as a Methodist Missionary in Japan joined the commitee later than some of the other members. One of her contributions to the project was assistance in proofreading one of the manuscripts. Miss Pearson was an assistant priest at St. Mary's, Los Angeles, and the incumbent at St. Andrew's Japanese Congregation in Toronto. She lives in retirment in a small town in western Ontario.

[Yokota, Stan]

Stan Yokota
The previous chair of the project, Pastor Stan Yokota grew up in Kelonna, in the interior of British Columbia, and attended the United Church there. Later he pastored a Toronto Fukuin Kyokai (Gospel Church). After retirement, Mr. Yokota worked at the Momiji Seniors Center for 5 years, co-chairing its oversight commitee.

[Hoshida, Harry]

Harry Yoshida
Of Gospel Church affiliation, he holds the standing of a Kika Nisei, as a Japanese-Canadian who returned to Canada after a period of time in Japan in his childhood. During his youth, Harry Yoshida served in the Japanese Navy and survived a sunk ship after an extended period of being stranded in the China Sea. Harry Yoshida applied meticulousness, honesty and care during the period he served as treasurer to the project.

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