Remembering Shigeru (Shig) Hirai
Shig & Akemi Hirai in Hawaii, 1993 NNM TD 1322
A Lasting Legacy of Generosity
In memory of Shigeru (Shig) Hirai, his wife Akemi Hirai and Shig made a generous donation to the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society’s Endowment Funds. Shig was a long time supporter of Japanese Canadian cultural organizations, and loved to share his passion of Japanese food with others, including at Robert Nimi Nikkei Home through the beloved Hi Genki Restaurant. Shig and Akemi’s endowment fund ensures that Nikkei Place can continue to bring Japanese culture to the community and be a place where people come to eat, laugh, and share stories.
Take a moment to remember Shig Hirai and his generous heart and spirit with us.
About Shig Hirai (1937-2025)
Shigeru (Shig) Hirai was born on September 9, 1937 near Powell Street in Vancouver. During the Second World War, Shig and his family were forcibly relocated to the internment camp at Lemon Creek in the interior of British Columbia. When the war ended, the Hirai family returned to Japan instead of moving farther from Vancouver, a home they were no longer permitted to return to. Shig endured many hardships as a “foreigner” in post-war Japan, where he struggled to learn Japanese and often went hungry. These early challenges would shape the resilience and determination that defined who he was throughout his life.
After returning to Canada at the age of 17, Shig worked on a sugar beet farm near Taber, Alberta to sponsor his family’s return. Eventually the Hirai family re-established themselves in Vancouver. Shig worked as a barber with his mother and brother Miki, but found himself gravitating towards the food industry after managing at his friend’s restaurant.
In 1962 Shig married Akemi Eto, his lifelong partner whose steady support and shared work ethic played a critical role in their future ventures together. They opened Maneki Japanese Restaurant on East Hastings Street in 1969, one of Vancouver’s earliest Japanese restaurants.
In 1977 Shig opened the first Fujiya on Powell Street. Initially a fish and seafood store, Fujiya later expanded into a full Japanese grocery. He also established a food processing factory, Ocean Delight Seafoods, which produced satsuma-age, kamaboko, and imitation crab. Fujiya would increase its locations throughout the 80s and 90s in Richmond, Victoria, Coquitlam and Surrey. Shig’s guiding philosophy was simple: treat every customer like they’re your only customer. Many would come to remember Shig for his friendly welcome at Fujiya and how he loved to talk to anyone who came to his store.
Of special meaning to Nikkei Place was the Hi Genki Restaurant that opened in 2002 at the Robert Nimi Nikkei Home. The restaurant was known for its welcoming atmosphere and Japanese homestyle meals. It became a cherished community hub, not only for Japanese Canadians, but also for locals who would come to enjoy delicious Japanese food at an affordable price. Shig was a firm believer in sharing his love of traditional Japanese foods with people of all cultural backgrounds. It wasn’t just a business to him, he truly wanted people to experience authentic Japanese food.
Beyond his entrepreneurship, Shig contributed in many ways to Nikkei Place and the wider Japanese Canadian community. He chaired the inaugural Nikkei Matsuri in 2000; served as a board member of Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre; and supported events through generous sponsorships from Fujiya. He and his wife Akemi regularly donated to Nikkei Place, community arts programs, and Japanese language schools. As an avid supporter of sumo, his group—the Sumo Aiko Kai—organized amateur sumo for many years at the Powell Street Festival. Shig was particularly proud of helping to bring professional sumo wrestlers from Japan for the 1998 Sumo Canada Basho at the PNE Coliseum.
Shig was honoured with the Nikkei Community & Business Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, acknowledging his achievements and countless contributions to the Nikkei community. He will long be remembered for his business excellence, community spirit, generosity, big heart and love of people. A devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather, Shig was fondly known as “boss” to many friends, colleagues, and employees. He loved telling stories surrounded by friends and family, together with good food and drinks. His memory will remain alive in our thoughts and endless stories.
In June 2027 an exhibit titled “Okome + Daizu” is planned to open at the Karasawa Gallery at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. Drawing on archives and select interviews, the exhibit will explore the living heritage of Japanese food in Canada through the twin foundations of rice and soy — okome and daizu. Historical objects from the museum’s collection will be presented alongside contemporary reflections on the heritage and legacy of food in the Canadian Nikkei community. Shig and Fujiya will also be paid homage to in this exhibit. Please look forward to celebrating and honouring Shig with us once more in the upcoming year!
Shig and Akemi Hirai’s wedding, Vancouver 1962 NNM TD 1322
Generosity that Continues in Perpetuity
Shig made many contributions to the Japanese Canadian community and was a man of generous heart and spirit. His support of Nikkei Place continues with his and Akemi’s contribution to the NNMCC and NSHCHS Endowment Funds. Their donation ensures the vibrant programs, services, events and operational costs at Nikkei Place are always supported.
Learn how you can help preserve community, culture, and a place for future generations through an endowment fund.