Japanese Canadian Veterans A decade long journey
Stanley Park, City of Vancouver
July 24, 2026 at 11:00am
The Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee is pleased to announce the long-awaited installation of the Japanese Canadian Soldiers of the First World War and the Fight to Win the Vote Plaque at Japanese Canadian War Memorial Stanley Park. Created ten years ago by David Mitsui and Linda Kawamoto Reid, this plaque honours the courage of over 200 Japanese Canadian veterans who enlisted and served in the First World War—including 55 who made the ultimate sacrifice. Only 6 came back uninjured.
They fought with valor and courage with 13 receiving the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Their remarkable service, combined with the dedicated advocacy of Canadian Legion Branch No. 9, played a pivotal role in obtaining the franchise for First World War Japanese Canadians veterans in 1931 in the province of BC and were the first group of Asian Canadians to vote in the province since 1895. It wasn’t until 1948 that the right to vote in BC was extended to include all Japanese Canadians. This marked the end of more than 36 years disenfranchisement in BC for Japanese Canadians.
The last line of the Japanese Canadian Soldiers of the First World War and the Fight to Win the Vote plaque reads: “Through their courage and resolve, these veterans expanded the concept of patriotism and advanced the development of citizenship rights in Canada.”
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.
A more formal public recognition of the plaque will take place during this year’s Remembrance Day reception at the Stanley Park Pavilion.
