In 1961, a group of eight community leaders—George Aratani, Edwin Hiroto, Kiyo Maruyama, Jim Mitsumori, Gongoro Nakamura, Frank Omatsu, Joseph Shinoda, and Fred Wada—had a vision to create Keiro, with the mission to enhance the quality of senior life in Our Community. Their vision to bring culturally-sensitive care to the Japanese American community started with the purchase of the Japanese Hospital and eventually included skilled nursing care, residential care, and community-based services. Reflecting on its six-decade-long history, Keiro continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of Japanese American older adults, wherever they call home.
