Yuri Kochiyama

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Asian American or Pacific Islander, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Datneli Arriaga, Staff Writer

May 15, 2026

Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American activist, born in 1921 in San Pedro, who dedicated her life to standing up for civil rights and equal justice.

During World War II, her life changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Like many of the Japanese Americans, she and her family were forced into internment camps by the U.S. government. Her experiences exposed her to racism and injustice and inspired her to become an activist. After the war, Yuri moved to New York with her husband, Bill Kochiyama. She became more involved in actions supporting racial equality and human rights.

She worked alongside African American activists during the Civil Rights Movement and believes that all communities should unite to fight against discrimination. She fought for Asian American rights and reputation rights for Japanese Americans who had been imprisoned during World War II. She encouraged the youth to speak out against unfair treatment and work towards creating an equal society.

Today, Yuri Kochiyama is remembered as a powerful activist who spent her years standing up for equality and human rights.

About the Contributor

Datneli Arriaga, Staff Writer

Datneli Arriga is a student at Hoover High School. She is a kind and social person. In her free time, she enjoys doomscrolling on TikTok and going shopping. She is very family-oriented and enjoys spending time with friends. A goal she has is to pursue a career in journalism where she is able to speak out about her opinions and help address everyday issues. Additionally, she wants to inform the public with accurate news and maintain full transparency with the information. She believes that journalism acts like a voice for other people. In times of crisis, journalism provides immediate updates on breaking news, such as real-time reporting, and helps people make life-saving decisions. One thing she loves about journalism is the diverse range of journalism, including photojournalism, entertainment, art, and politics. Each one holds different pathways. The topic she wants to focus on is political journalism, which aims to inform the public about political events and hold those in power accountable. She believes political science is essential as it provides citizens with self-government, which means the government is run by its own people. One thing she is looking forward to in the new year is that she is excited to graduate high school and begin a new step in her life, and overcome challenges along the way. She can’t wait to start new memories this year with her friends, and is looking forward to grad night this new year. She wants to experience new opportunities, meet new people, and make new connections. She wants to enter this year with an open mind and exit this year with no regret.