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I was born and raised in Sendai, Japan. When I was a high school junior, I came to the US (a suburb of Boston) for a year as a Rotary Club Exchange Student. It was a most amazing year in my life.

After graduating from a high school in Sendai, I returned to the US, this time to Seattle. I graduated from the University of Washington (psychology) and Shoreline College (nursing), and became an RN with Operating Room Nursing Certificate. I moved to Minneapolis and worked as a surgery nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. But nursing was not my forte. I became a lawyer after working as a nurse and attending evening programs first at William Michell and later at Golden Gate University School of Law when we moved to SF.

I moved back to Minneapolis with my family from San Francisco in 1986. I now have 35 years of international and immigration lawyer experience. Until 2019, I worked at Dorsey & Whitney law firm for 30 years and led the immigration team and represented corporate clients worldwide including many Japanese companies. My accolades include “The Best Lawyers in America,” “Super Lawyer,” “Leading American Attorney” and “Leading Minnesota Women Attorneys.” I served as the Chair of the Immigration Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association and taught U of M Law school classes as a visiting professor. I was a member of their human rights committee and attorneys of color. The highlights of my legal career was working closely with late Mr. Walter Mondale, my most invaluable mentor, colleague, and friend.

I am not sure if I am officially “retired” yet, but since Covid, I might as well be. On a personal level, I love music (mostly Rock, R&B, and Jazz), movies, arts, food, traveling and politics. We have two adult daughters, a granddaughter in NJ, and a wonderful cat. I am a certified Sake and Shochu advisor, but I love wine the most.

I have been a JASM member for many years and I have the utmost respect for the Society’s passion and contribution. I am a team player, and I very much look forward to contributing to the JASM board as a member of the board. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!


Contact Us

 jasm@mn-japan.org


P.O. Box 26639

Minneapolis, MN 55426


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