Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award
The purpose of the Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize and honour Nikkei business leaders who have built distinguished careers, elevated their fields or contributed to the community, region, or nation. It pays tribute to exceptional business leaders, past and present, who have created a lasting legacy that will inspire future Nikkei business leaders.
The award recipients are recognized annually at the Nikkei Place Foundation’s annual fundraising gala.
Awardees
2o20
Suki Takagi
founder of SUKI’s SALON
Suki Takagi started her hairdressing career at Gene Shacove salon, one of the most prestigious salons in Beverly Hills. In 1972, she relocated to Vancouver and founded Suki’s Salon. She faced numerous obstacles in the early years - including discrimination and sexism - but what began as a five chair salon has grown into five salons and the Suki’s Academy, with an estimated 180 employees.
Suki’s beautiful work has always had a strong foundation in both the geometric principles of architecture as well as the elements of design found in art. Led by her internationally recognized creative vision and entrepreneurial spirit, she has been setting the standard for hairstyles and exceptional customer experience in Vancouver and the hairdressing industry for over forty years.
In 1994, Suki was named the YWCA’s Woman of the Year in the Entrepreneur Category. In 2016, she received the Sans Bais Lifetime Achievement Award from Intercoiffuire, the most prestigious cosmetology industry organization in the world.
2o19
Shig & Akemi Hirai
founder of Fujiya & other businesses
We recognize the successful work and immense community support of Shig Hirai, and wife Akemi Hirai. For over forty years, they have found success as business owners; they opened Maneki Restaurant in 1969, the first Fujiya store on Powell St. in 1977 (expanding to more stores throughout the 80s and 90s), Ocean Delight Seafood in 1979, and Hi-Genki Restaurant in 2002 at Nikkei Home. With their success they have generously given back and supported not only Nikkei, but also sumo and community arts, festivals, and language schools.
2018
Hidekazu Tojo
Restauranteur & executive chef of Tojos restaurant
As a chef, Tojo began at the forefront of Vancouvers fine dining scene in the early 1970s, redefining the standards of sushi repertoire, when there were only four Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. His culinary genius is credited with the creation of the California Roll and the BC Roll dishes that can now be found in virtually every Japanese restaurant in North America. For over 40 years, Tojo has experienced rave reviews and critical acclaim for introducing the masses to original dishes that integrate the best traditions of Japan with fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients. 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of his restaurant Tojos, offering the citys best upscale Japanese culinary creations.