AAJA-LA board members Frank Buckley and David Ono, along with members Susan Hirasuna and Gordon Tokumatsu, were among the media broadcasters honored at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center anniversary awards dinner.

The event, held at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles on June 1, marked the 28th anniversary of the JACCC. This year’s dinner, “Connecting Cultures and Communities,” honored six individuals who are actively involved in the community.

Buckley, a news anchor with KTLA; Ono, a news anchor with ABC 7; Hirasuna, a weekend news anchor at FOX11; and Tokumatsu, general assignment reporter at NBC4, were joined by ABC 7 Sports Anchor Rob Fukuzaki as recipients of the organization’s Ambassador’s Award. They were presented with the award by AAJA co-founder Tritia Toyota. 

Also honored was Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry of the 9th District. Perry was the recipient of the Pacific Pioneer Award.

The JACCC opened its doors in 1980 as the dream of visionary Issei and Nissei Japanese American pioneers to create a permanent center for the community and its future generations. Today, the JACCC is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States.