Alan Nishio addresses the crowd during the 48th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, April 29, 2017, at the Manzanar National Historic Site. Photo by Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.

A lifelong educator and community activist, Alan Nishio passed away on December 27, 2023. He was 78 year-old. He was a prominent voice in efforts to ensure that the Japanese American experience is never forgotten, and a founding leader, board member, and trusted advisor to numerous Little Tokyo organizations.

Born in Manzanar concentration camp in 1945, Nishio began his political activism at the University of California, Berkeley, in the 1960s. After earning his master’s degree at the University of Southern California, he went on to found the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

Nishio had a strong commitment to the welfare of the Japanese American and other communities. For almost 40 years, he served on the board of directors of Little Tokyo Service Center, retiring just recently.  He also served on the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center board and the Kizuna Little Tokyo advisory council.

Nishio was a founding member of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (now Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress), and the Little Tokyo People’s Rights Organization.

He was a mentor for many activists in the Japanese American community, including those in the Manzanar Committee. Alan also was an active charter member of the Japanese American National Museum, where he regularly spoke in public programs and was honored at its annual benefit in 2008.

Alan had a 48-year career in higher education.  He was the associate vice president for Student Services at California State University, Long Beach.

Before CSULB, he was a founding staffer and director of the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA and was the assistant director Center for Social Action at USC.

Nishio is survived by his wife of 55 years, Yvonne, his two daughters, Angela Nishio and Mia Lockwood (son-in-law Gregory Lockwood), and six grandchildren, ages 14 to 19.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February10, 2024, at 2:00pm. at the Terasaki Budokan, 249 S. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles 90012.

In lieu of flowers or koden (monetary gift), please consider a donation to Little Tokyo Service Center.

To attend in-person Alan’s Celebration of Life, and for additional information, go to Give.LTSC.org/AlanNishio

The event also will be live streamed and the link will be available on the webpage.