Stories of Nikkei Canadians Resilience in Struggle
Honours

Japanese Canadian Recipients of the Order of Canada

Once labeled “enemy alien” and accused of being “unassimilable” Japanese Canadians have broken free from the dark shadows of the past and created their own path towards a bright future as Canadians. Today, they are considered one of the most successful, highly educated and prosperous minorities in Canada.

These Canadians have distinguished themselves in their fields as diverse as architects, human rights, literature, music and the arts, science and medicine, law and finance, politics and public service and sports. They continue to be recognized nationally and internationally. Many have been bestowed with prestigious orders from various provinces and forty-one (41) have been inducted into the Order of Canada. For a small community of less than 1% of the Canadian population, this is an extraordinary and very proud achievement.

The three-tiered order, established in 1967 is the highest Canadian civilian award of merit recognizing outstanding lifetime achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Appointments are made for sustained achievement at three levels:

  1. Companion: Recognizes outstanding achievement and merit of the highest degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.
  2. Officer: Recognizes achievement and merit of a high degree, especially Service to Canada or to humanity at large.
  3. Member: Recognizes distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.

Officers and Members may be elevated within the Order in recognition of further achievement, based on continued exceptional or extraordinary service to Canada.

A living list. My thanks for their assistance in compiling the list to: John Greenaway, Paul Kariya, Constance Sugiyama and Yvonne Wakabayashi. Appointment years and honour levels shown here should be confirmed before citing. If you know of a recipient who belongs on this page, or spot a correction, please get in touch.

Recipients

  • Fukakusa, Janice, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2022

    Toronto, Ontario — Chief financial officer, Royal Bank of Canada, Chancellor of Ryerson University, champion of Asian-Canadian community, leads and supports efforts to combat anti-Asian racism in Canada.

  • Fung, Lori, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1986

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Gold medal winner in rhythmic gymnastics, including 1984 Olympics. Win in the Four Continent Championships confirmed her as the world’s best in her sport.

  • Hara, Arthur Shigeru, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1985
    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1992

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Distinguished Vancouver business leader. As Chairman of Board of Mitsubishi Canada Ltd. and of Asia Pacific Foundation promoted cooperation with Asian and Pacific peoples.

  • Issenman, Betty Kobayashi, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2003

    Bedford, Nova Scotia — World authority on Inuit clothing. Guest curator at the McCord Museum and founding member of the Arctic Society of Canada of the Inuit Tapiriit of Kanatami.

  • Itani, Frances, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2007

    Ottawa, Ontario — Writer, benefactor to the Ottawa Youth Orchestra and dedicated volunteer with the Ottawa Deaf Centre and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

  • Itani, Tetsuo Theodore, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2016

    Ottawa, Ontario — Global humanitarian, leadership in peacekeeping as a practitioner, advisor and educator. Senior volunteer with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

  • Kadoguchi, Robert Yasuharu, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1988

    North York, Ontario — Founding president of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Actively supports the activities of many other ethnic groups.

  • Kamino, Brenda, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2026

    Toronto, Ontario — Distinguished actor. Advocate for marginalized artists and diversity in Canada’s performing arts. Co-producer of the Renaissance Canadian Theatre Company.

  • Kawamura, Yutetsu, Reverend

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1985

    Raymond, Alberta — Buddhist leader in southern Alberta society. Leader in Lethbridge’s Centennial project, Yuko Garden, one of the best Japanese gardens outside Japan.

  • Kitagawa, Genzo, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1973

    Regina, Saskatchewan — For his leadership of the Japanese Canadian community in Saskatchewan and for his many contributions to the welfare of others.

  • Kiyooka, Roy Kenzie, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1978

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Painter, poet, photographer, filmmaker, writer, musician, sculptor, teacher and writer. His work is in Canadian collections and included in major exhibitions abroad.

  • Kogawa, Joy Nozumi, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1986

    Toronto, Ontario — Novelist. Obasan, a moving and eloquent account of the treatment of Japanese-Canadians earned her several literary awards. Document a critical period in their history.

  • Kojima, Yuzuru (Jim), Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1983

    Richmond, British Columbia — Canada’s leading master of judo and delegate to the Canadian Olympics Association. First Canadian, and the youngest in the world to receive International Judo Union ticket.

  • Kuwabara, Bruce Bunji, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 2012

    Toronto, Ontario — Architect of projects of national significance including the Canadian Museum of Nature. Advocates for excellence in architecture, urbanism and sustainable design.

  • Kuwabara, Seisho Kina, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1978

    Montreal, Quebec — Founder of Canadian school of Japanese flower arrangement in Montreal. Voluntary teaching of Japanese customs and language.

  • Masui, Yoshio, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 2004

    Toronto, Ontario — Renowned biologist and scientific pioneer that transformed biomedical research. Recognized internationally with prestigious awards, is one of Canada’s finest scientists.

  • Miki, Arthur Kazumi, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1991

    Winnipeg, Manitoba — President of National Association of Japanese Canadians during negotiations for Redress. School teacher who played an active role in multicultural organizations.

  • Miki, Roy Akira, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2007

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Award-winning poet, scholar, editor. For many years was at the forefront of the struggle to obtain redress for Japanese Canadians.

  • Miyazaki, Masajiro, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1977

    Kamloops, British Columbia — Osteopath. Selfless service to Japanese and Indigenous residents of Lillooet, BC for 35 years in spite of ill health.

  • Moriyama, Raymond, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1986
    Companion of the Order of Canada, 2009

    North York, Ontario — One of the world’s most innovative architects and urban planners. His architectural legacy will continue to influence and inspire young architects and planners.

  • Murakami, Takashi, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2005

    Winnipeg, Manitoba — Award-winning chef who elevates food preparation to an art form. Served as coach for Culinary Team Canada and raises funds for hunger relief and nutrition education.

  • Obata, Roger S., Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1991

    Scarborough, Ontario — Human rights activist who devoted his life to rebuilding the remnants of a community which had been scattered across Canada. Signatory to the Redress agreement.

  • Parker, Jon Kimura, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1999

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Gifted pianist, played in some of the world's most prestigious venues. Given concerts in remote communities across Canada and to audiences around the world.

  • Sato, Tsutae, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1978

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Principal, Vancouver Japanese Language School, enriching Canadian society by the introduction of the best elements of his own culture.

  • Senda, Yoshio, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2008

    Lethbridge, Alberta — Judo instructor and coach of two Canadian Olympic teams and is the first and only Canadian recipient of Kudan, judo’s ninth degree black belt.

  • Shimizu, Henry J., Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2004

    Victoria, British Columbia — Plastic surgeon, president of the University of Alberta Hospital’s medical staff and co-founded a burn-treatment centre. Chair, Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation.

  • Shimizu, Hide Hyodo, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1982

    Toronto, Ontario — Educator, activist and advocate for Japanese Canadian rights. Organized schools in internment camps and supervised teacher training. Committed to church and community.

  • Shoyama, Thomas Kunito, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1978

    Victoria, British Columbia — Distinguished public service in Saskatchewan, Economic Council of Canada and as Deputy Minister of Finance.

  • Sugiyama, Constance L., Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2015

    Toronto, Ontario — Top merger and acquisition lawyer. First woman Chair of the Hospital for Sick Children. Committed to advancement of women. Led preservation of Nikkei culture and history.

  • Suzuki, David, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1977
    Companion of the Order of Canada, 2006

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Geneticist of international reputation, foremost science broadcaster, environmentalist and grassroots activist. David Suzuki Foundation to protect resources and the environment.

  • Takahashi, Mutsumi, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2019

    Montreal West, Quebec — Chief news anchor, CTV Montreal. Integrity and commitment to high ethical journalistic standards. Supporter of various causes and fundraising campaigns.

  • Takeuchi, Norman Kiyomitsu, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2024

    Ottawa, Ontario — Artist, honours and preserves history and heritage of Japanese Canadians through visual expression. Many pieces featured in collections in Canada and abroad.

  • Tanabe, Takao, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 1999

    Parksville, British Columbia — Landscape artist and teacher. His paintings are evocative of British Columbia at its finest. Influential teacher of younger generations at the Banff Centre for the Arts.

  • Tanobe, Miyuki, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2003

    St-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, Quebec — Pictorial artist of daily life, customs and folklore of Canada. Achievements include posters, screen prints, films and several exhibits.

  • Thurlow, Setsuko, Ms.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2007

    Toronto, Ontario — From victim of atomic blast in Hiroshima to activist for nuclear disarmament. With mayors in Toronto and Japan, established the Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square.

  • Uchida, Irene Ayako, Ms.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1993

    Burlington, Ontario — Paediatrics and pathology at McMaster University, set high standards for cytogenetic laboratory diagnostic services in Canada and made notable contributions.

  • Umezuki, Takaichi, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canda, 1979

    Toronto, Ontario — Publisher of The New Canadian, has devoted himself to the welfare of Canadians of Japanese origin and acted as spokesman for their senior citizens.

  • Wada, Juhn Atsushi, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 1992

    Vancouver, British Columbia — Internationally respected neuroscientist doing research on epilepsy. Founder and first President of the Canadian League Against Epilepsy.

  • Wakabayashi, Arthur "Art" Tsuneo, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canada, 2001

    Regina, Saskatchewan — Public servant, Saskatchewan and federally as Assistant Deputy Minister to the Solicitor General and Economic Development Coordinator. Trusted advisor to political leaders.

  • Wakabayashi, Henry, Mr.

    Member of the Order of Canda, 2009

    Burnaby, British Columbia — Consulting engineer to infrastructure improvements throughout British Columbia and beyond. Active in Canadian-Japanese cultural exchange at the Nikkei Heritage Centre.

  • Watanabe, Mamoru, Mr.

    Officer of the Order of Canada, 2002

    Calgary, Alberta — Dean of Medicine at the University of Calgary, brought telemedicine to rural Alberta. Worked tirelessly to promote national telehealth and health care around the world.

About the Order

Appointments to the Order of Canada are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Order’s Advisory Council, at three levels: Companion (C.C.), Officer (O.C.) and Member (C.M.). The Order’s motto — Desiderantes meliorem patriam, “they desire a better country” — could stand as an epigraph for every life recorded on this page.