NVC Foundation Japanese American Memorial Wall

Kunizo was born in Ibaraki Ken, Japan, and came to the USA at age 17. He met and married Masaye in 1925. They have 4 children.

Kunizo worked at Western Avenue and Pike Place Market selling produce and later managed, as co-partner, the Washington Beer Distributing Company until the outbreak of World War II. At this time, he was interned, along with others who were active in the Japanese Community. He was not united with his family at the Minidoka Relocation Center until 1944. After the war ended, he returned to Seattle with his family and started an employment agency, which he operated until 1965. He received his U.S. Citizenship in 1954.

He was honored in November, 1965, with the 5th Order Award from the Emperor of Japan for his services in promoting Japanese-American goodwill. See his photograph taken at the ceremony.

In October 2, 1966, he was baptized at the Japanese Presbyterian Church.

In 1969, he enjoyed a visit to Japan for the first time since his childhood.

Shortly after he returned from Japan, he suffered a stroke which hospitalized him. He suffered another stroke and he went into the presence of His Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.