Member Organizations
& Representatives
2016-2017 Board of Directors
Executive Committe:
President- Florence Kojima...................... (310) 977-4470
1st Vice President- Keiko Shibata.............. (562) 630-3258
2nd Vice President- Ole Nervik................ (562) 533-2994
Treasurer- Joanne Leivici......................... (310) 994-0553
Secretary- Atsuko Yomigida..................... (562) 425-6554
Past President, Advisor- Amy Tsubokawa .....(562) 860-1594
Contact: Jay Shaheen (562) 305-8982
Contact: Ole Nervik (562) 533-2994
Classes: Saturdays 8:45am- 12:30pm
Founded in 1949 as an elementry level Japanese language school. Today the school provides Japanese language and cultural education for all ages and heritages. Providing beginning levels or elementary, middle and high school/ adults. Progressing to intermediate and advanced levels.
Osamu Nishimura (562) 644-1443 or Dojo manager: Andy Ungos (562)810-7555
Practice: Wednesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm
Shotokan is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts. As the most wifely practiced style, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of Karate.
Contact: Gene Takahashi (562) 304-8980 / longbeachjudodojo@gmail.com
Contact: Hayato Okawa (714) 609-4470
Practices: Monday & Thursday 7:30pm-9:30pm
Long Beach has always been and continues to be competitive at various tournaments, including international tournaments throughout the world.

Kokoro Taiko Kai of Long Beach
Contact: Joann Matsunaga (310) 387-8163
Practices: Saturdays 4:00pm- 7:00pm
Founded in 1990, the word "Kokoro" represents the heart and soul. The rhythm of the drunks is the spirutual sensation that the Kokoro Taiko drummers feel in their hearts when they perform.

LBJLS Alumni & Friends Association
Contact: Robert Yasumura (562) 595-7692
An organization made up of all current and past students of the school and all others who want to befriend and promote the ongoing quality of education and the financial security of the school.
Contact: Keiko Shibata (562) 630-3258
Services: Sundays 10:00am
Founded in 1951 to return to the original teaching of Buddhism in its purest form.
The church is now ministerd by Rev. Yukinori Yokoyama
Contact: Victor Fukuhara (562) 424-0211
Services: Sundays 9:00am & 11:00am
We are a practicing faith community, intentionally multicultural and intergenerational, impacting contemporary life through the love of justice and Jesus Christ.

Long Beach Harbor Pioneer Project
Contact: Joanne Levici (310) 214-6689
Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the month 7:30pm-9:00pm
Tai Chi Classes: Mondays 3:30pm- 4:30pm
Founded in 1969, the Pioneer Project is a truly intergenerational and multi-cultural all volunteer organization providing all (with an emphasis for seniors) quality of life seminars and educational/ entertaining day trips and multiple day travel opportunities.

LBJL Booster Association
Florence Kojima (310) 977-4470
A 501c3 organization formed to promote the development of Japanese language instruction and to promulgate the Japanese heritage.

Sumie Group
Contact: Johnny Mizuno (714) 615-7905
The 2000 year-old art form of Japanese brush painting is spirtually rooted in Zen Buddhism.

Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai
Contact: Hiroko Ishiguro (562) 431-0820 / Kimiyo Matsuoka (310) 833-7362
Mondays - 10:00 am- 1:00pm
Japanese Calligraphy Classes

Long Beach Ikenobo Ikebana
Contact: Izumi Minamitani (310) 292-0179
2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturdays: 1:30pm (call to confirm)
Japanese art of flower arrangment.

Kimekomi Doll-Yukari Kai
Contact: Atsuko Yomigida (562) 425-6554
3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30am- 12:00pm @ the Long Beach Buddhist Church
Instructor: Mrs. Yukari Kanesaka
"Ki" means wood and "mekomi" refers to the technique that is used to tuck fabric into the wooden grooves of the dolls body.
Shodo Kai Shigin
Contact: Michiko Honda (562) 426-6756
Mondays 7:00pm- 9:00pm
Shigin is the chanting of the ancient Chinese poetry.
The unique characteristic of the Kokuho style includes a variety of folk songs (with chanting), waka (a 31-syllable Japanese poem),
Haiku poem and biwa (Japanese Lute)
Nichiren Sangha Association
Contact: Diane Hara (714) 968-3628
Services: 1st Sunday of the month 11:00am- 2:30pm
At the center since 1985

Long Beach Landscape Gardeners Association
Contact: Frank Harada (714) 821-3528
First organized in 1953 to promote the best interests of gardeners in the Long Beach area and further the knowledge of horticulture. They created the Japanese Garden at the center.