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2023 JAVA Scholarship Program

12 Scholarships Totaling $21,500 Awarded!

The Japanese American Veterans Association  announced 12 winners of JAVA’s annual scholarship award program for 2023. Outstanding students from around the country applied for the scholarships. The candidates for the JAVA scholarships were incredibly talented and accomplished, and all applicants would be worthy of receiving a JAVA scholarship to continue the legacy of the Nisei service to country. 

The $3,000 Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship honoring the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service was awarded to Elaine Oyama, of San Antonio, TX. The granddaughter of George Oyama, 442nd RCT, Elaine is pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas, San Antonio. As evidence of her commitment to her professional goals, Elaine has served as a Peer Mentor as well as a Victim Advocate at the Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center

The $3,000 Ishio Founder’s Scholarship named for JAVA’s founder, the late Colonel Phil Ishio, his wife Constance, and their son Douglas Ishio. It is awarded to a student who has completed two or more years of college/university. The Ishio Founder’s Scholarship was awarded to Justin Abe, of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, the great-grandnephew of Seichi Tsugawa, 442nd RCT. Currently, Justin is attending medical school at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi. 

The Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship, a $2,000 award in honor of a longtime patron of JAVA, is awarded to a student who has completed at least one year in college/university.  This scholarship was awarded to ToriAnn Abe, of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. She is the granddaughter of Frank Tokio Inouye, 100th Battalion, Company C. ToriAnn is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications at the University of Southern California and hopes to work in Occupational Therapy.

The following JAVA Memorial Scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors, each in the amount of $1,500:

Cody Gima received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Dr. Americo Bugliani and his liberator, Paul Sakamoto, 442nd RCT. Cody is the grandnephew of Shinye Gima, 308th Intelligence Service Department/MIS. Cody is from Kula, Hawaiʻi, and will attend the University of Portland, Oregon, in the fall.

Carlos Shimabukuro received the Tak Furumoto Scholarship sponsored by JAVA member and Vietnam veteran Tak Furumoto. Carlos is the son of JAVA member LCDR Carlos A. Shimabukuro, USNR, and is from Stafford, Virginia. He will attend the College of William and Mary and plans to study Business.

Jameson Johnston received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Ranger Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, MIS. Jameson is the son of JAVA member George Johnston. From Culver City, California, Jameson will attend Santa Monica College in California and plans to study Environmental Science. 

Ian Yogi received the Izuno Family Scholarship, in honor of JAVA member and Korean War veteran, Dr. Takumi Izuno, who served in the U.S. Army 511th Military Intelligence Service. The grandnephew of Matsuichi Yogi, 442nd RCT, Ian is from Mililani, Hawaiʻi. He will attend the University of Portland in the fall. Ian plans to study Biology and eventually attend medical school. 

Brian Kamemoto received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of U. S. Army Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, a three-war veteran - WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Brian is the grandson of Harry Ishibashi, 442nd RCT, and is from Seattle, Washington. He will attend the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and plans to study Business Administration.

Emi Goto received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Sergeant Ben Kuroki, a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 505th Bombardment Group. Emi is the daughter of JAVA member CAPT (Dr.) Mark Goto, MC, USN (Ret). From Gulf Breeze, Florida, Emi will attend the University of Texas at Permian Basin (Odessa) where she will study Business.

Brayden Lawrence received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Victor Matsui, MIS, and his wife Teru Matsui. Brayden is the great-grandson of Tadashi Frank Mouri Inouye, 442nd. From McKinney, Texas, he will attend the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre.

Mischa Mikami received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Robert Nakamoto. Mischa is the granddaughter of Joe Mikami, 442nd RCT, and is from Sacramento, California. She will attend the University of California, Berkeley, and plans to study Data Science.

Kyle Yamazaki received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Major Orville Shirey, 442nd RCT, and his wife Maud Shirey. Kyle is the great-grandson of Dave Kawagoye, 442nd RCT. From Torrance, California, he will attend Chapman University in Orange, California, and plans to study Business and Finance.

JAVA thanks the Scholarship Committee - Mrs. Chris DeRosa, Chair; Ms. Dawn Eilenberger, JD, former Deputy Director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; MAJ Kay Izumihara, USAR; Mr. Kaison Tanabe, Friend of JAVA; CAPT (Dr.) Cynthia Macri, MC, USN (Ret); and LTC Robert Vokac, USA (Ret).

Click here or here to watch a recording of the Scholarship Awards Ceremony!

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