Asian Heritage Month – A Highlight

Three cheers for Tokugi Suyama!

Toku or Toke Suyama, a Toronto NAJC Board member was a 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Asian Canadian Award. The award was presented at the Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario Banquet at the Premier Banquet Hall in Markham. This festive event was attended by six Toronto NAJC Board members and included special greetings, dinner and cultural performances. More than 300 guests were present, representing over 20 Asian Canadian associations at this multi-course banquet.

Born in 1926 Toku was one of ten siblings of hard working first generation Japanese immigrant parents and grew up in the village of Cumberland B.C. on Vancouver Island. Like many Japanese Canadian families during the war years, their lives were disrupted by unjust government polices which forced them to relocate to the interior of B.C.

When Toku’s family chose to return to Japan after the war, Toku alone, moved to Toronto. Despite many hardships he persevered and finished his high school diploma and went on to receive his Baccalaureate from  […]  the University of Toronto and a post-graduate degree in Social Work. He began his career with the Children’s Aid Society but eventually left social work to start a successful restaurant on Avenue Road and St. Clair. It was a thriving business for many years, indeed, even the infamous Conrad Black was a frequent guest.

In the early 90’s Toku retired and began to pursue other passions such as pottery and antique collecting. It was during this time that Toke began spending more of his time volunteering for the Toronto Buddhist Church, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and raised thousands of dollars by participating in the Toronto Challenge Walkathon and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In addition to this, he has been a long-time Director on the boards of the Toronto Chapter of the NAJC and Japanese Social Services. For many Toronto Sansei, Toku has been a mentor and a role model.

Quiet in demeanor, always sporting a stylish hat, our community has been enriched by the selfless work of this youthful elder. We are honored to have him as one of our own. Toku-san……. omedetou!

Bruce Tatemichi, President