Our Team
JCAAP
Izumi Sakamoto (Principal Investigator)
My name is Izumi (she/her) and I am a Shin-Ijusha/new immigrant who has been in Tkaronto since 2002. I was born and raised in Japan (Tokyo, Shiga), and moved to Turtle Island for graduate studies, obtaining MSW, MA (Psychology) and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.
show moreI have played taiko as part of the Raging Asian Womyn Taiko Drummers (RAW, 2005-2014) and Isshin Daiko (at Toronto Buddhist Temple, since 2018). It is through RAW I was introduced to the North American taiko movement – an exemplary cultural activism by Asian Americans and Asian Canadians since the late 1960s. Since 2017, I’ve been merging my professional interest in anti-oppression and social justice with my personal interest in cultural activism in a community- based research project, i.e., the Japanese Canadian Arts and Activism Project (JCAAP). I am currently an associate professor of social work at the University of Toronto.
show lessMomo Ando (Research Coordinator)
Hi, I’m Momo (she/her)! I’m a shin-nisei who was born in Vancouver, B.C. and raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. I did my undergraduate degree in Psychology at York University, and my Masters of Social Work at the Factor Inwentash School of Social Work of U of T. Aside from this research project, I am currently working as a therapist for kids, teens, and their families, as well as adults.
show moreGrowing up, I always felt very disconnected from the Japanese Canadian community, and my answer to this disconnect has always been to turn to Japan. But now, with this project, I have had the privilege to hear about, see, and be inspired by the many different ways folks are connecting to their JC identity here, in the country I was born in.
show lessAi Yamamoto (Senior Researcher)
My name is Ai (they/them/she/her), and I was born and raised in Tkaronto. My mother immigrated in the 1980s from Ainumoshir (colonially known as Hokkaido), and my father immigrated from Hikone, Shiga in the 1970s to meet his cousins, aunt and uncle who settled in the west coast in the 1920s.
show moreTheir stories and memories are my entry point to my family history in northern Turtle Island. I am working through processes of liberation via JCAAP, working with queer/trans/ace spectrum youth, and connecting with my ancestors in the everyday. I hold a BA (Hons) in Health & Society from York University.
show lessLisa Toi (Team Member)
My name is Lisa (she/her), I am a shin-nisei born and raised in the GTA. I recently completed my HBA at the University of Toronto, specializing in Peace, Conflict, and Justice with a minor in Philosophy. Through JCAAP, I hope to investigate my own identity as someone with connections to both Canadian and Japanese culture and values.
show moreAttending both a Canadian school and a Japanese school for the children of expats, I have always felt myself existing in a strange space between Canadian and Japanese. It is my hope that through listening to and interacting with the vibrant and inspiring Japanese Canadian community, I can continue to deepen my understanding of myself and how I can find my footing in the world around me.
show lessSofia Callaghan (Team Member)
Hello, I’m Sofia (she/her)! I completed my HBA at the University of Toronto with a double major in Philosophy and Sociology and am currently pursuing my MSW at York University. As a white-passing gosei I have a personal interest in the ways in which artists interpret and negotiate what it means to be Japanese Canadian.
show moreThrough JCAAP, I hope to delve into the relationship between identity and history, exploring how art as a form of activism can depict the past and shape our historically-effected consciousness.
show lessBoomba Nishikawa (Team Member)
Hi, I’m Boomba Nishikawa (any pronouns)! I am mixed Yonsei Japanese Canadian. I was born and raised in the so-called United States and am currently a forth year at the University of Toronto. I study Ethics, Society, and Law as well as Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity with a minor in Asian Canadian studies.
show moreI have a background in organizing, specifically around working class based environmental injustice in the region of Appalachia.
With JCAAP I am excited to apply my justice analysis and experience with organizing with my identity as a mixed Yonsei. I often feel that the Japanese Canadian community takes an apolitical position due to our history of internment, complacency in imperialism, and drive for assimilation. I am excited to subvert these predispositions and show how powerful our community is when we come together and fight for a future we want to live in.
show lessYuya Keyaki (Team Member)
My name is Yuya (she/her). I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and came to what is now called Canada in 2020 as an international student. I am currently completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto with a specialization in Women and Gender Studies with double minors in Sexual Diversity Studies and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity.
Before transferring to UofT, I had the privilege of working with the Japanese Canadian community in Vancouver, particularly by teaching Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) to Japanese Canadian children and adults. This experience allowed me to explore how arts can serve as a way of community building and storytelling within the community.
Through my involvement with JCAAP, I aim to continue this journey of learning by listening to fellow members and exploring how, as a newcomer to this land, I can connect with and contribute to the Japanese Canadian communities.
show lessPast members/contributors:
Erica Li, Mitsuko Noguchi, Shō Yamagushiku, Manaal Fahim, Jane Ku, Matthew Chin, Nazanin Zarepour, Caitlin Morishita-Miki, Kennes Lin, Eunjung Lee, Jane Middelton-Moz, Georgia Lin, XJ Ng, Michelle Zhong, Ruka Watanabe, Helen Kang, and Fateha Hossain.
BRAID JC
Izumi Niki (Research Coordinator)
My name is Izumi Niki (she/her). I was born in Tokyo and raised in Nagoya, Japan. I am currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto, Sociology Program. I have worked with seniors for many years as a Certified Care Worker in Japan as well as a Recreation Therapist for Japanese Canadian and Chinese seniors in Toronto, Canada.
show moreMy research interest is in paid and unpaid care work, ageing, gender, migration, and anti-oppressive practice. I have received a BA and an MA in Sociology from the International Christian University in Tokyo, as well as a Master of Social Work with a Collaborative Masters in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of Toronto. 2022-2025 SSHRC doctoral fellowship/2022-2023 OGS award holder.
show lessViveka Ichikawa (Senior Researcher)
My name is Viveka (she/her), and I am a mixed-race Shin-Ijusha/new immigrant Japanese female, born and raised in Tokyo. I came to Turtle Island first time in 2005 as an international student. I have lived in Tkaronto since 2017 as a mother, partner, friend, as well as a social worker, student and researcher.
show moreMy research interest is in paid and unpaid care work, ageing, gender, migration, and anti-oppressive practice. I have received a BA and an MA in Sociology from the International Christian University in Tokyo, as well as a Master of Social Work with a Collaborative Masters in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of Toronto. 2022-2025 SSHRC doctoral fellowship/2022-2023 OGS award holder.
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