Hiroshi came to Canada alone in 1971 from Tokyo when he was 19 years old. He studied, worked, and raised his own family in Canada ever since, making him a “New Issei” among the Nikkei community in Canada. Hiroshi graduated from the University of British Columbia with an engineering degree and holds P.Eng., LEED AP, and Managing Broker professional designations. Hiroshi worked and retired from the commercial real estate industry in the end, including advising many companies and businesses from Japan during his tenure. He enjoys serving the Nikkei community by giving back what he had received from in the past, and he believes in passing on the history, knowledge, value, wisdom, and spirit of the Nikkei community to next generation. His passions are lifelong learning, cycling, walking, hiking and trekking through outdoor nature in Canada, US, and around the world.

Chris is a sansei from Vancouver. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology and a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of British Columbia. His career includes roles as a Distance Education Instructor at UBC, Research Technician with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Nutrition Manager for Skretting North America. He is currently the Production Manager at Coastwise Processors, a manufacturer of canned pet food. Chris has long supported the Nikkei community—helping organize the 1993 Pan American Nikkei Association meeting in Vancouver, co-founding the Japanese Canadian Youth Group (1993), chairing the Nikkei Centre Programs Planning Committee (1993–2001), and now volunteering with the Powell Street Festival Salmon BBQ and the Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society as Vice President.

MSW, Order of the Rising Sun Gold and Silver Rays (Japan)

Ruth Coles earned her BA from the University of British Columbia and MSW from the University of Toronto. With over 30 years in health care leadership at Providence Health Care, she has championed compassionate, culturally sensitive, and inclusive care. A founding member of the Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society (NSHCHS) since the 1980s, Ruth helped establish New Sakura-so and Robert Nimi Nikkei Home, and has remained deeply committed to Nikkei Place’s growth and community impact ever since. She has served as Vice President of the NSHCHS board, President (2010–2022), and now serves as a Director. In 2022, she received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for her contributions to the Japanese Canadian community and for promoting friendly relations between Japan and Canada. In 2024, Ruth was honoured with the Thomas Shoyama Lifetime Achievement Award from Nikkei Place Foundation for her foundational contributions.

Brian is a highly experienced immigration lawyer with more than 30 years of experience. He works out of Davis LLP’s Vancouver office. He speaks Japanese and English and has worked in Tokyo, Toronto and Vancouver. He has represented clients from more than 50 countries. Brian is a past national Executive Member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Immigration Section and a past Chairman of the CBA British Columbia Immigration Section. Brian is also President of the Nikkei Place Foundation.

Yuji is a lawyer in British Columbia whose practice areas include corporate/commercial, immigration, employment, real estate, and wills/estates. He earned his law degree from the University of Victoria and a Master of Laws Degree in International Economic and Business Law from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. He also interned at the Hague Conference on Private International Law in Netherlands. Fluent in Japanese, Yuji previously taught in Japan and holds M.A. in Japanese studies from UVic, and B.A. degrees in Asian Studies from UBC. He has served Vancouver’s Japanese community through various boards including GVJCCA, the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Kiyukai Vancouver Japanese Business Association.

After retiring from a marketing role at Yokohama Tire to raise her three sons, Patty stayed active in her community through school PACs, youth sports, and has managed her family’s construction company office since 1994. As the eldest daughter of Robert and Jane Nimi, she has long understood the challenges faced by Nikkei seniors in accessing quality care. Now supporting her mother’s care, Patty is proud to contribute to the Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society and work alongside directors she has known since its early days.

RN, BN, MS, GNC(C), NCA

A Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Medicine Program in Fraser Health, Marcia has been a registered nurse for over 40 years and in the last 20 years has been dedicated to geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry. She loves every moment of being in her profession, and as a director of NSHCHS, she is committed to providing the best care to Nikkei seniors. Marcia is also an adjunct faculty member with UBC, University of Victoria, SFU, and McMaster University.