310-324-6611
GVJCI
  • Seniors
    • Bento Program
    • Smartphone/Tablet Class
    • Tomo No Kai Membership & Classes
    • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
    • Meditation & More Class
  • Events/Programs
    • Japanese Language School >
      • JLS Graduates
    • Izakaya 2025
    • Upcoming Programs & Classes
    • Matsuri 2025
    • Car Show Pinewood Derby 2025
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2024
    • GVJCI Scholarship
    • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
      • Camper Registration
      • Counselor Registration
      • Activities
      • Testimonials
      • Camp Supporters
      • FAQ
    • Past Events
  • Organizations
    • Bando Hidesomi
    • Boy Scout Troop 683
    • Boy Scout Troop 719
    • Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
    • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
    • Gardena JCI Kendo
    • Gardena Judo Club
    • Gardena Kendo
    • Gardena Naginata
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Na Pua O Kapo
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Southern CA Kyudo Renmei
    • Yuujou Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • 2025 GVJCI Raffle Drawing & Year End Appeal
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • Become a Bento Buddy >
      • Donate Your Car
    • Purchase a 2025 Calendar Ad
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
  • Reserve our Facilities
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
    • Testimonies/PR
    • Blog >
      • Blog Terms of Use
      • Want to write for us?
  • Seniors
    • Bento Program
    • Smartphone/Tablet Class
    • Tomo No Kai Membership & Classes
    • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
    • Meditation & More Class
  • Events/Programs
    • Japanese Language School >
      • JLS Graduates
    • Izakaya 2025
    • Upcoming Programs & Classes
    • Matsuri 2025
    • Car Show Pinewood Derby 2025
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2024
    • GVJCI Scholarship
    • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
      • Camper Registration
      • Counselor Registration
      • Activities
      • Testimonials
      • Camp Supporters
      • FAQ
    • Past Events
  • Organizations
    • Bando Hidesomi
    • Boy Scout Troop 683
    • Boy Scout Troop 719
    • Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
    • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
    • Gardena JCI Kendo
    • Gardena Judo Club
    • Gardena Kendo
    • Gardena Naginata
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Na Pua O Kapo
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Southern CA Kyudo Renmei
    • Yuujou Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • 2025 GVJCI Raffle Drawing & Year End Appeal
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • Become a Bento Buddy >
      • Donate Your Car
    • Purchase a 2025 Calendar Ad
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
  • Reserve our Facilities
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
    • Testimonies/PR
    • Blog >
      • Blog Terms of Use
      • Want to write for us?

meet the board and staff

WHO WE ARE

Board of Directors

Richard Ames, President
Alvin Takamori, Vice President
Juan Hernandez, Treasurer 
Marilyn Tsuge, Secretary
Miles Akiyama
Gail Saito Doi
Randall Fujimoto
Lawrence Hada
Michelle Hirano
Alan Kita
Kerilyn Kotani
Michael Murata
Grant Nakaoka
Alexis Okihara
Taylor Weik
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Emeritus Board Members

Dan Ashimine
Paul Koshi
Helen Nakano
Charles Oyagi
Raymond Shibata
Glenn Tachibana 
Terry Terauchi
​

Administrative Staff

Picture
Alison Kochiyama (she/her)
Executive Director
​[email protected]
ext. 104
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Cathy Lee
Director of development & marketing
[email protected]
ext. 106​
Picture
Lyndon Meighan (he/him)
DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
[email protected]
​ext. 105
Picture
Sandy Uyesugi (she/her)
Administrative ASSISTANT
[email protected]
ext. 101
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Debbie Oba (she/her)
Administrative manager
[email protected]
ext. 107

Program/Event Staff

Picture
Stephanie Mayeda (she/her)
PROGRAM MANAGER
[email protected]
​ext. 102
Picture
Andrew Bacon (he/him)
FACILITY EVENT COORDINATOR
[email protected]
​ext. 121
Picture
Yukiko Natori (she/her)
​名取由紀子
SENIOR & bilingual programs coordinator
​シニア・バイリンガル
​プログラムコーディネーター
[email protected]
​ext. 108

Facility Staff

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Bob Seki (he/him)
Maintenance Custodian
Picture
Bryan Tamura (he/him)
MAINTENANCE CUSTODIAN
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Brian Hoshiko (he/him)
FACILITY SUPPORT

Japanese Language School

Lawrence Hada, Principal
Masumi Sasaki, Vice Principal & Teacher
Mayumi Fuchino, Teacher
Noboru Mishima, Teacher
Asaka Morita, Teacher
Chiaki Suzuki, Teacher
Naoko Tran, Teacher
Aki Izumi, Adult Class & Conversation Class Teacher
COME VISIT US!


ABOUT US
BLOG
BOARD & STAFF
CAREERS
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
RESOURCES
TESTIMONIES
​


UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
JAPANESE lANGUAGE SCHOOL
​
RESERVE OUR FACILITIES
​VOLUNTEER

​
Would you like to get in contact with us? Donate, volunteer, or just have an idea for  an event/program?  Leave us a message, and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!
連絡を取り合いませんか? 寄付、ボランティア、またはイベントやプログラムの提案? 
​メッセージを残して下さい。できるだけ迅速にご連絡します。
CONTACT US
[email protected]    
(310) 324-6611     
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
​1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247 
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​A space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. 日系の経験と文化に関わり、共有し、受け入れる空間
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