George Ishiyama
Encyclopedia
George Ishiyama was a Japanese-American businessman who was president of Alaska Pulp Corporation (APC) in Sitka, Alaska between 1983 and 2003.
, 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
. 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
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
, 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.
, and was named to the distinguished Order of the Rising Sun
by the Emperor of Japan
.
Biography
Ishiyama was born and raised in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern 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
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. 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
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
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
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula jutting from the southern coast of Alaska in the United States. The name Kenai is probably derived from Kenayskaya, the Russian name for Cook Inlet, which borders the peninsula to the west.-Geography:...
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
Toshio Doko
Toshiwo Doko was a Japanese engineer born in Mitsu District, Okayama.* Manager and President of IHI* Manager and President of Toshiba* Chairman of the Japan Business Federation...
, 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 HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, and was named to the distinguished Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
by the Emperor of Japan
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
.
Tributes
- In honor of his contributions to the City of Wrangell, a street was named after him.
- On February 22, 2003, Alaskan Governor Frank MurkowskiFrank MurkowskiFrancis Hughes Murkowski is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He was a United States Senator from Alaska from 1981 until 2002 and the eighth Governor of Alaska from 2002 until 2006.- Early life and career :...
announced the creation of a state holiday (George Ishiyama Day)