Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/230/

Bad business deal (Japanese)

(Japanese) On Beverly Boulevard, I started a farmer’s market. I started it with a partner. But he wasn’t a very good person. My mother sent me 4000 yen/dollar (?) to me from Japan, and he used that money to buy stock to build a stock company building. He used somebody else’s money. He was a bad guy.

I*: What happened to your money?

My money? I gave him 4000 yen, and he only returned 2000 yen. Then he went back to Japan. He got cursed, and he died. He died. He was from Kagoshima.

* “I” indicates an interviewer (Eriko Yamamoto).


business economics management

Date: October 14 & 17, 2004

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Eriko Yamamoto

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.

Interviewee Bio

Kazuo Funai, 104-year-old pioneer Issei from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, owned and operated a market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. In 1941, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Funai had made arrangements to move to Tokyo to set up a business enterprise. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was unable to travel to Japan and was financially ruined. In addition, he and his family were incarcerated in an American concentration camp. He survived these obstacles to later start several successful businesses.

Mr. Funai passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the age of 105. (August 16, 2005)

Sam Naito
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Naito,Sam

Starting an import business after World War II

(b. 1921) Nisei businessman. Established "Made in Oregon" retail stores

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Bill Hashizume
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Hashizume,Bill

Father’s success in farm business

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

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Bill Hashizume
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Hashizume,Bill

Liaison between the Americans and the Japanese

(b. 1922) Canadian Nisei who was unable to return to Canada from Japan until 1952

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Bert A. Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,Bert A.

Getting involved in the family business at age 19

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

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Bert A. Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,Bert A.

A body, mind and spirit work ethic

(b.1944) Founder of Kobayashi Group, LLC

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Shunji Nishimura
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Nishimura,Shunji

Learning skills by watching others work (Japanese)

(1911-2010) Founder of JACTO group

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Shunji Nishimura
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Nishimura,Shunji

Repaying Brazil by educating the technicians (Japanese)

(1911-2010) Founder of JACTO group

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BJ Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,BJ

No question about going into the family business

Hawaiian businessman, developer.

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BJ Kobayashi
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Kobayashi,BJ

About Albert Chikanobu Kobayashi, Inc.

Hawaiian businessman, developer.

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Miyoko Amano
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Amano,Miyoko

Yoshitaro Amano’s Business in Japan (Japanese)

(b. 1929) President of Amano Museum

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Miyoko Amano
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Amano,Miyoko

Yoshitaro Amano’s Tuna Fishing Boat (Japanese)

(b. 1929) President of Amano Museum

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Hiroshi Sakane
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Sakane,Hiroshi

How Yoshitaro Amano got to South America (Japanese)

(b. 1948) Executive Director of Amano Museum

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Hiroshi Sakane
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Sakane,Hiroshi

Yoshitaro Amano continues his efforts in business in order to pursue his studies (Japanese)

(b. 1948) Executive Director of Amano Museum

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Harunori Oda
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Oda,Harunori

Getting started in America

(1927-2016) Shin-Issei businessman

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Harunori Oda
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Oda,Harunori

Learning the nursery business

(1927-2016) Shin-Issei businessman

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