Japanese Canadian Veterans A decade long journey
Stanley Park, City of Vancouver
July 24, 2026 at 11:00am
Please RSVP if you plan to attend
A Right to Vote plaque, honouring Japanese Canadian First World War veterans, will finally be installed at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial (Cenotaph) in Stanley Park on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m.
This plaque recognizes the courage and sacrifice of the approximately 222 Japanese Canadian veterans who enlisted and served in the First World War. Fifty-five made the ultimate sacrifice, and 92 were awarded military honours for bravery and distinguished service. Their military service and the advocacy of veterans through the Canadian Legion Branch No. 9, played a pivotal role in securing the restoration of the provincial vote for Japanese Canadians in British Columbia in 1931, laying the foundation for the restoration of full voting rights after the Second World War.
The plaque was created ten years ago through the efforts of David Mitsui, grandson of First World War veteran, Sergeant Masumi Mitsui and Linda Kawamoto Reid past chair of the Japanese Canadian War Memorial committee, but has remained in storage until now. We are delighted that it will finally be installed at the historic cenotaph where it belongs.
Representatives from the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, Parks Canada, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and the Japanese Canadian Legacy Society will be in attendance. The event will be hosted by the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee.
The installation ceremony will be approximately one hour in length.
A more formal public recognition of the plaque will take place during this year’s Remembrance Day reception at the Stanley Park Pavilion.
