Asian American Journalists Association – Los Angeles and Little Tokyo Legacy Foundation host tribute dinner celebration “Voices That Endure: Honoring Ellen Endo & Gwen Muranaka” at Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Endo and Muranaka are trail-blazing journalists who recently departed the Rafu Shimpo. Featuring a special performance by kotoist June Kuramoto. Emcee’d by Susan Hirasuna, Fox 11 anchor/reporter.
Tickets are $50 with a non-host bar. Free parking
Ellen Endo
Endo spent over two decades at The Rafu Shimpo, where she served as English Section Editor and later as Managing Editor. She also contributes regularly to Pacific Citizen, further solidifying her reputation as a dedicated voice in community-based reporting.
In addition to her journalism career, Endo is the founder of Hapa Consulting Services, a firm that provides strategic planning and communications services to clients across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Her expertise in media relations has made her a sought-after consultant throughout Southern California.
Endo plays a vital role in shaping the future of Little Tokyo. She served as President of the Little Tokyo Business Association and co-chairs the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District (LTBID). Her influence extends further through board memberships with the Little Tokyo Community Council and Friends of Manzanar.
Gwen Muranaka
Gwen Muranaka was born in Torrance, Calif., and raised in San Pedro, Calif. She attended UCLA and after graduation moved to Japan to study Japanese at Waseda University.
Gwen started her journalism career as an assistant editor at the Pacific Citizen, where she focused on redress, civil rights and issues impacting the Japanese American community. She then moved back to Tokyo to be an editor at the Japan Times, the largest and oldest English-language daily newspaper in Japan. In this position, she created “Noodles,” a weekly cartoon of a young Sansei woman living and exploring her heritage in Japan. It was an integral part of the English section of the Rafu Shimpo.
In 2000, Gwen returned to Los Angeles and started working at the Rafu Shimpo. Throughout the past 24 years at the Rafu, she has been a recognized leader in both the Japanese American community and in her profession.
Gwen’s impact on the Japanese American community has been extensive and profound. As a journalist, she has ensured that all stories of the Japanese American community, both large and small, are published, and shared with the Japanese American community and the world. Her personal and professional life embodies and exemplifies the pioneer spirit and resourcefulness of the Japanese American community.
In 2023, Gwen was recognized with the Distinguished Journalist Award by the Society of Professional Journalists Greater Los Angeles chapter. She also published her “Drawing By Heart” book, a collection of her cartoons and portrayal of cross-cultural commentary that captures the unique experiences of the Japanese American community.
Gwen was involved with the Little Tokyo Community Council, the Nichi Bei Fujinkai, and the Zentoku Foundation. She strongly believes in participating and supporting the Japanese American community.
