From the day I started at The Bulletin as editor in the fall of 1993 it struck me that the ongoing question we seek to answer in these pages is, “what does it mean to be Japanese Canadian?” Even if we choose not to hyphenate the phrase, the hyphen exists just the same. As individuals we are left to choose which side of the hyphen we emphasize. Are you balanced like a teeter-totter in a state of perfect stasis? Or do you lean towards the Canadian? Or the Japanese? Chances are, if you’re reading this you have at least some interest in things Japanese Canadian – whether through birth or not.
The question above has no answer of course – but it is the search for answers that is important, for in searching we uncover truths about ourselves and peel away the layers to reveal, hopefuly, an identity, however amorphous.
A publication of the Greater Vancouver JCCA, The Bulletin has published continuously since 1958, a rather impressive run, I think. Over the years, The Bulletin has developed an identity and provides content that is unavailable elsewhere. We provide, I hope and believe, a valuable service to the community.
The upcoming JCCA AGM, to be held at 2pm on Saturday March 15 at the JCCA office at Nikkei Centre is your chance to come out and support the JCCA and The Bulletin. In these uncertain times we are looking for support so that we can continue to fulfil the role we play in the community.
This month we say goodbye to Kazuko Takahashi, our Japanese editor, who has been steering the ship on the Japanese side for many years. It has been a pleasure working with her and on behalf of our small crew I wish her all the best.
Next month I look forward to introducing readers to our new editor.
