"Stories From Tohoku" Documentary Begins Airing on PBS Nationwide in May

"Stories From Tohoku" Documentary Begins Airing on PBS Nationwide in May

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Los Angeles (May 8, 2014) – "Stories From Tohoku" will begin airing on PBS stations across the country in May, as part of "Japanese American Lives," a special 3-episode series that explores the diverse history of Japanese Americans, hosted by Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.

Presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), "Japanese American Lives" explores the rich and diverse stories of Japanese Americans that go beyond the history books.

"This is an exciting opportunity to share personal stories from the survivors of the Tohoku disaster," said co-director Dianne Fukami. "It allows the PBS audience to better understand how the survivors are coping and how they’ve become an inspiration to many Americans of Japanese descent who’ve undergone transformative experiences as they volunteered to help out."

"Stories From Tohoku" spotlights the northeast region of Japan, where a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster took place in March 2011. The documentary had its world premiere at the 2014 Center for Asian American Media’s CAAMFest on March 15 and 19 in San Francisco and its Southern California premiere at the 2014 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) on May 6 and 7 at the Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum.

"Stories From Tohoku," episode 3 of "Japanese American Lives," will air in Southern California on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. on Link TV and Friday, May 23 at 9 p.m. on KCET. "Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful," "Don’t Lose Your Soul" and "Honor & Sacrifice" will also featured during the series. Check your local PBS listings for when episodes of "Japanese American Lives" will air in your area.

More information the documentary can be found at www.StoriesFromTohoku.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Stories From Tohoku

Stories From Tohoku is a one-hour documentary, produced by Japanese Americans, Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi, that chronicles survivors’ stories of courage, resilience and re-discovering joy. Told through the voices of ordinary people, the documentary follows the survivors of the tragic triple disaster in the Tohoku region of Japan in March 2011 as they face an uncertain future with hope and strength, and of Japanese Americans committed to help and support in Japan's recovery. Stories From Tohoku is a Bridge Media, Inc. production, and directed by Dianne Fukami and Eli Olson.

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