Mino Ohye recently returned from Japan where he was reunited with his brother, Hiroshi Kamimura
SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) was eager to see 86-year old West Sacramento resident Mino Ohye after he celebrated his birthday in Japan. She was one of the people who helped Mr. Ohye travel to Japan to see his younger brother, Hiroshi Kamimura, age 84, after 60 years of separation. By partnering with Eskaton's “Thrill of a Lifetime” program, Mino was able to fulfill a nearly life-long dream of seeing his brother again.
In January 2011, Eskaton Administrator, Debbie Reynolds, asked Assemblymember Yamada to attempt a video reunion for the brothers via the Skype program. Her office worked through the office of the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco to connect the two brothers. Instead, letters were exchanged and they agreed to meet in person.
Last October, Assemblymember Yamada once again partnered with Eskaton to help raise money for Mino's trip to Japan. Many small donors contributed to raise $5,000, including many of Mino's friends from the West Sacramento Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8762. Another donor provided a frequent flyer executive class Japan Airlines round trip ticket for the long flight. A Sacramento State alumnus in Japan stepped up to serve as Mino's interpreter and traveling companion. Yamada then coordinated a meeting with the Consul General of Japan, Hiroshi Inomata, and Thrill of a Lifetime director, Suzanne Strassburg to discuss Mino's trip to Japan on January 20, 2012. The tale of the reunited brothers became internationally recognized and their story was chronicled around the globe.
“On January 20, 2012, exactly one year after our first contact with Eskaton and Mino, he was on a plane to see his brother,” said Assemblymember Yamada. “Once Mino and Hiroshi embraced each other in Kyoto, it was as though those 60 years did not matter. After returning, Mino recounted his experience to me and proved that it was indeed a thrill of a lifetime.”
Mino Ohye shows Japanese Consul General, Assemblymember Mariko Yamada and Consul Tomotaka Kuwahara mementos from his trip to Japan to see his brother after 60 years of separation
The group of individuals who were instrumental in the “Trill of a Lifetime” trip for Mino Ohye, pictured from left to right: Suzanne Strassburg, Public Relations Associate, Eskaton; Tomotaka Kuwahara, Consul; Mino Ohye; Debbie Reynolds, Administrator, Eskaton Wilson Manor; Assemblymember Mariko Yamada; Takemichi Nagaoka, Consul; Hiroshi Inomata, Consul General; Scott Keene, Keene & Associates
Assemblymember Mariko Yamada and Mino Ohye, meeting after Mr. Ohye's trip to Japan to be reunited with his brother after 60 years of separation.
CONTACT: Rachel Linn, (916) 319-2008
