George Ishiyama (1914–2003) was a Japanese-American businessman who was president of Alaska Pulp Corporation (APC) in
Sitka, Alaska
russian: Ситка
, native_name_lang = tli
, settlement_type = Consolidated city-borough
, image_skyline = File:Sitka 84 Elev 135.jpg
, image_caption = Downtown Sitka in 1984
, image_size ...
between 1983 and 2003.
Biography
Ishiyama was born and raised in
Los Angeles, California, and graduated in Economics from the
University of California at Los Angeles in 1936. He and his family were interned during World War II at camps in
Utah and
Wyoming following the signing of
Executive Order 9066
Executive Order 9066 was a United States presidential executive order signed and issued during World War II by United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942. This order authorized the secretary of war to prescribe certain ...
. However, because Ishiyama determined ways to improve camps operations he was assigned to work in Washington, D.C., with the Department of Interior which had charge of the camps.
After the war, Ishiyama traveled to
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
to assist in its rebuilding, and to assist in mutual understanding between the United States and Japan. This became a constant theme of his life.
Ishiyama first established himself as a businessman in Japan, and in 1960, he arranged for the sale of
liquefied natural gas from the Phillips/Marathon plant on the
Kenai Peninsula to Japan. This contract enabled the plant to be built. In the 1970s, Ishiyama was a key leader in reclaiming and developing Tokyo Bay.
In 1976, Ishiyama arranged for a high level trade mission to Alaska headed up by
Toshio Doko
Toshiwo Doko (土光 敏夫 ''Dokō Toshio''; September 15, 1896 – August 4, 1988) was a Japanese engineer born in Mitsu District, Okayama, Manager, President and Chairman of Ishikawajima Heavy Industry (IHI) and Toshiba. Background
Dokō was a ...
, then the head of Japan's most powerful business group, the
Keidenren.
In 1982, Ishiyama took the lead in attempting to arrange for the export of Alaska oil to Japan.
In 1983, Ishiyama became President of Alaska Pulp Corporation.
Awards
In 1991, his contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and business relationships between Japan and other countries was recognized when he was awarded the
Medal of Honor, and was named to the distinguished
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight ...
by the
Emperor of Japan.
Tributes
*In honor of his contributions to the City of Wrangell, a street was named after him.
*On February 22, 2003, Alaskan Governor
Frank Murkowski announced the creation of a state holiday (''George Ishiyama Day'')
References
External links
Tribute by Gov. Frank MurkowskiOne of George's Act of Kindness is highlighted in "The Story" by NPR on May 29, 2009
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishiyama, George
1914 births
2003 deaths
American manufacturing businesspeople
Japanese-American internees
American people of Japanese descent
Businesspeople from Los Angeles
20th-century American philanthropists
20th-century American businesspeople