Jack Fujimoto
Encyclopedia
__FORCETOC__
Masakazu Jack Fujimoto (born July 19, 1928) was the first Asian American
to become president of a major higher education institution in the mainland of the United States
when he became president of Sacramento City College
in 1977. He was awarded with Japan
's Order of the Rising Sun
award on November 15, 2011 for his contributions to the advancement of Japanese language
studies and the promotion of Japan studies and Japanese culture
.
of parents Morizo (Issei
from Hiroshima, Japan) and Emi (Nisei
born in Glendale, Calfornia). Coming from a farming background, Fujimoto was expected to follow the tradition of oldest son following the patriarch; however, he was released to be the first in his family to pursue a college education. Between his A.A. degree at Pasadena City College
and his B.S.
, M.B.A.
, and Ph.D.
at University of California, Los Angeles
, Fujimoto served in the Occupation of Japan forces in Japan
.
Fujimoto's specialty in the Japanese language
carried forth in his life. He taught Japanese language
for 12 years at Venice Gakuen, a private community school at the Venice Japanese Community Center. He worked closely with Los Angeles Unified School District
and Culver City Unified School District
schools to get credit for Venice Gakuen Japanese language
students to meet the language requirements for the University of California
institutions. Today, that credit recognition continues to persist for all private Japanese language
learners who pass a credit test.
In 1969, Fujimoto was selected as a dean at Los Angeles Pierce College
in Woodland Hills, California. There, he established the Japanese language
as an elective for college credit. He also introduced a course in Man and Humanities in East Asia
. Subsequently, Fujimoto became president of West Los Angeles College
in 1979, where he introduced and taught Japanese language
as a recognized college elective course. He did the same when he became president at Los Angeles Mission College
in the San Fernando Valley
in 1989. Today, those courses of study in Japanese continue at these colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District
. Fujimoto served as president at Los Angeles Mission College
for seven years until 1996. From 2002 to 2003, he served as superintendent-president of Imperial Valley College
in Imperial County, California
.
While designing the Japanese language
curriculum and humanities curriculum, Fujimoto visited various universities as well as the Ministry of Education in Japan
. For 30 years, he served as advisor to Kobe Women's University
in Kobe
, Japan
and also taught at the Language Institute of Japan in Odawara, Kanagawa
, Japan
.
For 12 years from 1983 to 1995, Fujimoto chaired the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Buddhist Studies
, a graduate seminary affiliated with the Berkeley, California
-based Graduate Theological Union
.
Since 1986, Fujimoto has been connected with the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle in [Sawtelle, Los Angeles]. He orchestrated the merger of the Institute and its language school, Sawtelle Gakuin, and in 2000 became its founding chairman and president, a position that he held until 2005 when he chaired the 80th anniversary of the Institute and Gakuin. Today, he serves as senior advisor to the Institute and Gakuin. In 2007, he authored the book Sawtelle: West Los Angeles JapanTown, a pictorial history of the Sawtelle, Los Angeles Japantown
.
Masakazu Jack Fujimoto (born July 19, 1928) was the first Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
to become president of a major higher education institution in the mainland of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when he became president of Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College is a two-year community college located in Sacramento, California. SCC is part of the Los Rios Community College District and had an enrollment of 25,307 in 2009. Sacramento City College is officially accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges , offering...
in 1977. He was awarded with Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
award on November 15, 2011 for his contributions to the advancement of Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
studies and the promotion of Japan studies and Japanese culture
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
.
Biography
Fujimoto was born in 1928 in National City, CaliforniaNational City, California
National City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
of parents Morizo (Issei
Issei
Issei is a Japanese language term used in countries in North America, South America and Australia to specify the Japanese people first to immigrate. Their children born in the new country are referred to as Nisei , and their grandchildren are Sansei...
from Hiroshima, Japan) and Emi (Nisei
Nisei
During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage...
born in Glendale, Calfornia). Coming from a farming background, Fujimoto was expected to follow the tradition of oldest son following the patriarch; however, he was released to be the first in his family to pursue a college education. Between his A.A. degree at Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College is a community college in Pasadena, California, USA, located on Colorado Boulevard. PCC is the third largest community college campus in the United States. PCC was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College. In 1954, Pasadena Junior College merged with another junior...
and his B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, M.B.A.
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
, and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
at University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, Fujimoto served in the Occupation of Japan forces in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Fujimoto's specialty in the Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
carried forth in his life. He taught Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
for 12 years at Venice Gakuen, a private community school at the Venice Japanese Community Center. He worked closely with Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
and Culver City Unified School District
Culver City Unified School District
Culver City Unified School District, abbreviated CCUSD, is a school district located in Culver City, California that serves approximately 6,500 pupils in a variety of schools....
schools to get credit for Venice Gakuen Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
students to meet the language requirements for the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
institutions. Today, that credit recognition continues to persist for all private Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
learners who pass a credit test.
In 1969, Fujimoto was selected as a dean at Los Angeles Pierce College
Los Angeles Pierce College
Los Angeles Pierce College, also known as Pierce College, Pierce, is a community college that serves more than 23,000 students in the northern Chalk Hills of Woodland Hills, a community within the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California.The college began with 70 students...
in Woodland Hills, California. There, he established the Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
as an elective for college credit. He also introduced a course in Man and Humanities in East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
. Subsequently, Fujimoto became president of West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is a community college located in Culver City, California. It opened in 1969 and serves approximately 10,000 students....
in 1979, where he introduced and taught Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
as a recognized college elective course. He did the same when he became president at Los Angeles Mission College
Los Angeles Mission College
Los Angeles Mission College is a two-year community college located in Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District...
in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
in 1989. Today, those courses of study in Japanese continue at these colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District
Los Angeles Community College District
The Los Angeles Community College District is the community college district serving Los Angeles, California and some of its neighboring cities. In addition to typical college aged students, the LACCD also serves adults of all ages. Indeed, over half of all LACCD students are older than 25 years...
. Fujimoto served as president at Los Angeles Mission College
Los Angeles Mission College
Los Angeles Mission College is a two-year community college located in Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District...
for seven years until 1996. From 2002 to 2003, he served as superintendent-president of Imperial Valley College
Imperial Valley College
Imperial Valley College is a college in Imperial County, California, USA. Founded in 1962 the college currently enrolls around 7,000 students per year. Currently, Ed Gould is President of the college. The main campus is located on a site in the city of Imperial...
in Imperial County, California
Imperial County, California
Imperial County is a county located in the Imperial Valley, in the far southeast of the U.S. state of California, bordering both Arizona and Mexico. It is part of the El Centro Metropolitan Area, which encompasses all of Imperial County. The population as of 2000 was 142,361. The county seat is the...
.
While designing the Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
curriculum and humanities curriculum, Fujimoto visited various universities as well as the Ministry of Education in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. For 30 years, he served as advisor to Kobe Women's University
Kobe Women's University
is a private women's college in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1940, and it was chartered as a university in 1966.It has three campuses:* in Sannomiya* on Port Island* in Suma -External links:*...
in Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and also taught at the Language Institute of Japan in Odawara, Kanagawa
Odawara, Kanagawa
is a city located in western Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 198,466 with a population density of 1,740 persons per km² . The total area was .-Geography:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
For 12 years from 1983 to 1995, Fujimoto chaired the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Buddhist Studies
Institute of Buddhist Studies
The is a Jodo Shinshu-affiliated seminary and graduate school, located in Berkeley, California. It is an affiliate member of the Graduate Theological Union, also located in Berkeley. Its primary mission is to train Jodo Shinshu ministers for service in temples in the United States through the...
, a graduate seminary affiliated with the Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
-based Graduate Theological Union
Graduate Theological Union
The Graduate Theological Union ' is a consortium of nine independent theological schools, and eleven centers and affiliates. Eight of the theological schools are located in Berkeley, California. The GTU was founded in 1962. It maintains the Graduate Theological Union Library, one of the most...
.
Since 1986, Fujimoto has been connected with the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle in [Sawtelle, Los Angeles]. He orchestrated the merger of the Institute and its language school, Sawtelle Gakuin, and in 2000 became its founding chairman and president, a position that he held until 2005 when he chaired the 80th anniversary of the Institute and Gakuin. Today, he serves as senior advisor to the Institute and Gakuin. In 2007, he authored the book Sawtelle: West Los Angeles JapanTown, a pictorial history of the Sawtelle, Los Angeles Japantown
Japantown
is a common name for official Japanese communities in big cities outside Japan. Alternatively, a Japantown may be called J-town, Little Tokyo, or Nihonmachi , the first two being common names for the Japanese communities in San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively.-North America:Japantowns were...
.
External links
- Recipients of Fall 2011 Decorations
- Fujimoto and Webb Receive Fall Decorations at Rafu ShimpoRafu Shimpois a Japanese-English language newspaper based in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, USA.The paper began in 1903 as a one-page, mimeographed Japanese-language newspaper produced by Rippo Iijima, Masaharu Yamaguchi, and Seijiro Shibuya. H. T. Komai became publisher in 1922, beginning a family...
- A Teacher for Intellectual Wellness – Dr. Jack Fujimoto