Kazuo Funai

(1900-2005) Issei businessman

Coming to America (Japanese) First work in America (Japanese) Bad business deal (Japanese) Japan vs. the United States (Japanese) Company in Tokyo burned down (Japanese) Match-making (Japanese) Two race horses (Japanese) Buying violin (Japanese)

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Kazuo Funai, 104-year-old pioneer Issei from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, owned and operated a market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. In 1941, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Funai had made arrangements to move to Tokyo to set up a business enterprise. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was unable to travel to Japan and was financially ruined. In addition, he and his family were incarcerated in an American concentration camp. He survived these obstacles to later start several successful businesses.

Mr. Funai passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the age of 105. (August 16, 2005)

immigration family fishing migration business World War II arranged marriage match-making horse racing race horses music violin