Mike Murakami

Mike Murakami was born in 1943 in Kaslo B.C. During the Second World War, his family was sent to the New Denver incarceration camp where his mother, Aiko Murakami, became principal of the Orchard School. His father, Dave Murakami, was appointed camp garbage truck driver and official photographer. After the war, they moved to Toronto via Hamilton and settled in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood.

Mike’s 37 years in industrial design included product design, corporate branding, consumer marketing for local and multinational firms and advocating for community groups. He believes in grounding the design process in human rights values.

He’s a founder of the John Humphrey Centre for Human Rights’ Human Rights City Project, executive committee member in Edmonton (2005-2007); and a cofounder of the Alberta Hate Bias Crime and Incidents committee (2004-2007) and Tora Magazine, a Toronto publication reflecting Asian heritage (1971-1973).

Mike has held board roles with the Edmonton Japanese Community Association (2004-2007); Centre for Race and Culture (2004-2007); Edmonton Japanese Community Association (1982-2006); and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (1972-1974).

At the national level, he’s been involved with the NAJC’s Human Rights, Endowment and Community Development committees. He initiated the Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi Human Rights Award (2011) and Digital Story Telling program with David Tanaka (2010). He coordinated the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation in Edmonton (2004/2007).

Other community projects included providing research for Portraits of Japanese Canadian Faith Journeys (2010-2012)and producing the Images of Internment travelling exhibit (2002-2003).

As a Toronto NAJC board member, he’s contributed to the 20th and 25th redress anniversary celebrations. Most recently, he facilitated the online version of Japanese Canadian Redress: The Toronto Story (2020).