Half a Century Teaching Canadian Children: Gladstone Japanese Language School
In celebration of Gladstone Japanese Language School’s 55th anniversary, a biographical book, カナダっ子と共に半世紀 (A Half-Century with Canadian Children), was published. To honor Yoko and Harry Murakami’s generous donation to Nikkei Centre for this occasion, a bench in Nikkei Garden will be dedicated to them and the school.
YOKO & HARRY MURAKAMI
Photograph from 55th Anniversary of Gladstone Japanese Language School
Gladstone Japanese Language School was founded in 1971 by Yoko Murakami. The school started in her home on Gladstone Street with 20 to 30 students. As the student base grew into the hundreds, Murakami-sensei expanded a second floor in her home to accommodate. But even that was not enough, and the school had to move several locations. In 2000, Gladstone found a permanent home at Nikkei Centre.
The school grew over the years to include preschool, kindergarten, middle and high school, and summer school. It also offers cultural clubs and events and has organized many trips for students to Japan. Murakami-sensei’s guiding philosophy is to “teach with passion for education and love for students.” She wants to foster collaboration among students, parents, and teachers to deepen understanding of Japanese culture through the Japanese language, and support students in their personal growth.
In 2026, to celebrate the school’s 55th anniversary, a biographical book, カナダっ子と共に半世紀 (A Half-Century with Canadian Children), was published. The book is available in the Nikkei National Museum Gift Shop. Murakami-sensei and her husband, Harry Murakami, made a generous donation to Nikkei Centre to commemorate this occasion. A bench in Nikkei Garden was dedicated to honor them and the school.