On July 23, the Seattle City Council approved a resolution to honor Seattle activist and educator Alan Sugiyama. Resolution 31827 will designate 15th Avenue South, from South Nevada Street to South Columbian Way, as “Alan Sugiyama Way.” Sugiyama founded the Asian Family Affair newspaper in Seattle in 1972. He was also the first Asian American […]
Narasaki named Japanese American of the Biennium
On July 21, the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) proudly named Diane Narasaki as Japanese American of the Biennium in the field of Business/Industry/Technology. The award is the highest public award of the National JACL. In nominating Narasaki, the Seattle Chapter JACL wrote, “Diane’s ability to coalesce diverse groups of smaller communities into larger […]
Singh named new president of Edmonds Community College
The Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees voted to offer Dr. Amit Singh the role of president. Singh accepted and began work on June 25. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Singh previously served as the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Clark State Community College in Springfield, […]
86th Bon Odori
Seattle Betsuin hosted the 86th Bon Odori on July 22. Bon Odori is one of the longest, community-sanctioned events at Seafair. It featured traditional Japanese music, dress, and dancing. This year welcomed a new dance honoring the memory of Jack Matsui, a community member, Japanese incarceration survivor, and war veteran.
Judge, calm in court, takes hard line on splitting families
By ELLIOT SPAGAT Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw appeared conflicted in early May on whether to stop families from being separated at the border. He challenged the Trump administration to explain how families were getting a fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution, but also expressed reluctance to get too […]
2 Spokane massage parlors investigated for prostitution
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Two Spokane-area massage parlors employing only Chinese workers are under investigation on suspicion of promoting prostitution, human trafficking, practicing without a license, and money laundering. Investigators with the Department of Homeland Security and the Washington State Patrol contend that women who work at the two parlors speak little-to-no English and are […]
Chinese leaders order probe over vaccine scandal
By GERRY SHIH Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leaders are scrambling to shore up public confidence and oversight of the pharmaceutical industry after a rabies vaccine maker was found faking records, the latest in a slew of public health and safety scandals that have outraged Chinese parents. Premier Li Keqiang said in a statement […]
Record high in Japan as heat wave grips the region
By MARI YAMAGUCHI and HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japan recorded its highest temperature ever on July 23 as a deadly heat wave gripped a wide swath of the country and nearby South and North Korea. The mercury hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit in Kumagaya, a city in Saitama prefecture about 40 miles northwest […]
Out of hospital, Thai boys share lessons learned in cave
By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and KAWEEWIT KAEWJINDA Associated Press CHIANG RAI, Thailand (AP) — The 12 boys and their soccer coach rescued from a cave in northern Thailand left the hospital where they had been recuperating and appeared at a news conference on July 18, saying the ordeal made them stronger and taught them not to […]
Suspect in San Francisco Chinatown killing dies before trial
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A man charged with taking part in the 2006 killing of a San Francisco Chinatown businessman with criminal ties has died while awaiting trial. An attorney for Wen Bing Lei tells the San Francisco Chronicle his client had lung cancer that spread to his brain and spine. Mark Vermeulen says the […]