History
From the Archives | Rep. Inouye visits his ancestral home
By
Stars and Stripes Southern Japan Bureau Chief May 23, 2024
Staff. Sgt. Frank Ermence
Stars and Stripes Southern Japan Bureau Chief May 23, 2024
Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) greets one of the 400-some relatives in his ancestral village of Yokoyama, Japan. The Hawaiian congressman met many of the 2,200 villagers of Yokoyama — some 400 of whom are named Inouye. (Frank Ermence/Stars and Stripes)
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Oct. 05, 1960. It is republished unedited in its original form.
FUKUOKA, Japan — Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) Sunday visited the mountain village of Yokoyama — the birthplace of his father and where some of his uncles and cousins still live.
The Hawaiian congressman met many of the 2,200 villagers of Yokoyama — some 400 of whom are named Inouye.
During his 3½-hour tour, he visited his ancestral cemetery, where he prayed before the grave of his great-grandfather.
Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) admires the Samurai sword gifted to him by Yokoyama’s villagers. Congressman Inouye visited the mountain village of Yokoyama — the birthplace of his father and where some of his uncles and cousins still live. During his 3½-hour tour, he visited his ancestral cemetery and had lunch with some of his relatives, during which he received the sword. (Frank Ermence/Stars and Stripes)
Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) — surrounded by Yokoyama villagers and children — listens as one of the villagers addresses him. (Frank Ermence/Stars and Stripes)
Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) visited the mountain village of Yokoyama – the birthplace of his father and where some of his uncles and cousins still live, Oct. 2, 1960. The Hawaiian congressman met many of the 2,200 villagers of Yokoyama – some 400 of whom are named Inouye. Several relatives and some villagers joined the Congressman for a stroll through the village. (Frank Ermence/Stars and Stripes)
Marine pilot Klingman (left) helps Rep. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) climb out of a F9F8T jet trainer at Itazuke Air Base. Staff Sgt. Robert L. Bingham, 6143rd Operations Squadron, assists. Congressman Inouye came to Japan to visit visited the mountain village of Yokoyama — the birthplace of his father and where some of his uncles and cousins still live. Rep. Inouye is the first Japanese American to serve in Congress. (Frank Ermence/Stars and Stripes)
Inouye had lunch with a group of relatives during which he received a Japanese sword from members of the village assembly and a painting to mark his visit to Yokoyama.
Inouye was unaware of the news from Honolulu during his Yokoyama visit that he had been renominated Saturday [Oct. 1, 1960] to run as a Democratic congressional nominee.
Inouye, who returned to Tokyo Sunday [Oct. 2, 1960], is attending the 49th Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in the Japanese capital.