In Memoriam 

Grant Masashi Ujifusa Remembrance

My good friend and mentor, Grant Masashi Ujifusa, passed away on October 21, 2024.  He was the Redress Strategy Chair of the Japanese American Citizen’s League and was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Government of Japan for reversing President Ronald Reagan’s opposition to House Resolution 442 and securing the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.  This titanic accomplishment was achieved against all odds due to his in-depth knowledge of American politics; indefatigable passion for justice; incomparable pride for his Japanese American identity; and implicit self-confidence.  Ujifusa is written with two kanji (守家) that mean “protector of the house,” and that is what he did for all Japanese Americans. In January 2024, the Japan Society of Greater Fairfield County had the honor of presenting Grant to discuss this profound work alongside Professor Kermit Roosevelt III at the Jay Heritage Center.  It was his last public appearance.

He was the Founding Editor of the Almanac of American Politics and a voracious reader well paired with a strategic intellect. He was cautious and methodical while he was brave and daring. He trusted his knowledge and himself implicitly.  He remembered every detail of the Redress efforts with a photographic-like memory. He was my role model professionally and personally.  He had the type of self-confidence that can only be embodied by someone who felt deeply loved by his parents and grandparents. Family was the motivation for his every act.   An anecdote about his grandpa, Shuichi, his grandma, Yae, or his parents, Mary and Tom, accompanied every conversation. He was proud to be a Crimson, but prouder that his sons Steven and Andrew had continued his legacy at Harvard, where he hoped his grandsons Issac and Max would follow too.

He and his wife Amy adopted their son John, whom they lovingly raised. He always praised Amy for her good heart, her professionalism and for making a wonderful home for the family where he could read and enjoy music.  Mozart was his favorite.  He read Cervantes’ Don Quijote de la Mancha during the pandemic and said to have enjoyed it very much.  He identified with the pursuit of noble ideas.

He was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his time. Friendship and loyalty were very important to him. He was a loyal friend and could not thank me enough for introducing him to Ambassador Nick Platt, who would become one of his closest friends. We Japanese Americans stand on the shoulders of giants like Grant and Nick, and we do not take this for granted.  Our shared success is through the work of such leaders.  Grant Ujifusa was an exemplar for our community.  It is our privilege and responsibility to carry the torch just a bit farther in their honor for the next generation.

Oh, and he so loved football! Being the quarter back of his high school team in Worland, Wyoming was always one of his favorite topics. His ashes will be buried in the family plot in his beloved Worland.

I will miss my friend, his counsel, our conversations, and witty sense of humor forever.

Yoshie Ito

On behalf of The Japan Society of Greater Fairfield County

JSFC mourns the passing of Nina Streitfeld

Nina Streitfeld, President of the Japan Society of Fairfield County 1998 – 2005, passed away on August 15. Her family were present with her in her home in Westport, CT.  She was a wonderful leader during some of JSFC's most formative years, and continued her support for the rest of her life.  Our deepest sympathies to her family.

Memorial donations may be made to:

• Swarthmore College

• 92nd Street Y