Remembering Alan Nishio (1945-2023)

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Visual Communications (VC) mourns the passing of Alan Nishio, VC's first Board President, community leader, activist, educator, and long-time friend. After battling cancer for over 17 years, Alan passed away on December 27. 2023.

VC STAFF RETREAT

Nishio was a giant in the Japanese American community, serving as a board advisor to several Little Tokyo organizations, an educator and administrator at UCLA’s Asian American Studies and CSULB's Department of Asian and Asian American Studies, and founder of National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR, now Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress).

July 1977 - Alan Nishio, hard at work at his desk at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center
Photographed by Kaz TakeuchI

“Alan is the light of the community. Visual Communications is grateful for his work in illuminating communities and their struggles for a just society. He was instrumental in uplifting VC through his support and service to the organization for over 50 years. Personally, as a student at CSU Long Beach’s Asian American Studies Program, Alan was instrumental in guiding me towards community-based work. It is not surprising that his life’s work reflected the sharing of this light with others. We hope to continue his legacy of making our world a brighter place”
— Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications

August 5, 1972 - Alan and Yvonne Nishio at Hiroshima/Nagasaki candlelight vigil in Little Tokyo
Photographed by Alan Ohashi

“Alan Nishio was fiercely committed to social justice. A fire burned deeply in his soul, but he always carried himself with modesty and in a gentle manner. He was a warrior in a profound and deeply moving way.”
— Eddie Wong, Co-Founder of Visual Communications

For decades, Alan has brought positivity, support, and warmth to the Little Tokyo community. Alan's contributions and impact will always be remembered. We honor and carry on Alan's legacy by supporting Asian Pacific American voices and stories that empower communities and challenge perspectives. Visual Communications sends our collective love and light towards Alan, Yvonne, and their families.

The Nishio Family (Alan, Yvonne, Mia, & Angela) behind-the-scenes of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER

Celebrating Alan Nishio and His Legacy

A Celebration of Life for Alan Nishio will be help on February 10, 2024 at 2PM at Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo.