In 1899, Seattle's earliest known Japanese newspaper, The Report, is issued. The Japanese YMCA publishes the paper and Reverend Shievesatta Hara, the Japanese Baptist Church pastor, is editor. It is issued until about 1904.
Seattle's Japanese language and Japanese community newspapers from 1899 to 2001 are as follows:
The Report (1899-1904)
Hokubei JiJi (The North American Times) (1902-1942). Founded in 1902. In 1906, the publisher of this pioneering newspaper was Dr. K. Kumamoto. The editor-in-chief was Shiro Fujioka. From no later than 1906 until it was forced to close in 1942, the newspaper’s office was located at 215 5th Avenue S, in the future International District of Seattle. In 1941 and perhaps 1942, Sumikiyo Arima was publisher and Sumiyshi Arima was managing editor. This paper was forced to close when Seattle's Japanese American community was forced away into internment camps during World War II. The last issue of The North American Times was issued on March 12, 1942.
Northwestern News (1904-1905). In 1904, a Japanese weekly called Northwestern News was issued by Ayawo Hattori. He worked at Furuya Company, a Japanese firm in the Pioneer Square district. The newspaper was produced at the rear of 410 Main Street until it ceased operations in 1905.
Asahi Shinbun (1905-1918). The Asahi Shinbun was the next Japanese newspaper issued in Seattle. The daily was issued from 1905 until 1918. In 1905, H. Yoshimura published and edited the paper. By the following year, J. Ito published the paper from 668 Dearborn and by 1908 changed the name to The Asahi News. It ceased publication in 1918.
Gei-Bi-Jin (or Man-Ji-Ho) (1907-1920). In about 1907, a former waiter, Jiro Iwamura, started issuing Gei-Bi-Jin, a monthly publication. He apparently started it at his residence at 705 Main Street and in 1910 moved to 314 12th Avenue S. In 1916 or 1917, the name was changed to Man-Ji-Ho and it was produced semi-monthly. It ceased publication in 1919 or 1920. In 1919, Jiro Iwamura was listed as manager of the Hotel Main at 208 Main Street.
Great Northern American Times (1909-1942). In 1909 another Seattle Japanese daily started publishing. From 507 Maynard Avenue, K. Takeuchi started editing and publishing the Great Northern Daily News. From 1909 until 1918, there were three Japanese dailies in Seattle: Hokubei Jiji (The North American Times), The Asahi News, and the Great Northern Daily News. After moving to a couple of other locations, in the early 1920s, the Great Northern Daily News relocated to 414 S Main Street. The daily was published there until April 21, 1942, just a few days before the U.S. Government forced Seattle’s Japanese American community to go to internment camps during World War II.
Kobushi (1910). In about 1910, publisher M. Suhara issued a Japanese periodical called Kobushi. The weekly’s office was located at 818 Washington Street. By 1911, it had ceased publication.
Donchike (1915). In about 1915, a Japanese monthly called Donchike was published in Seattle at 513 Maynard Avenue. D. S. Yamada was the editor. By 1916 it had ceased publication.
Japanese-American Review (1910s-1920s). From the early teens till the early 1920s, a weekly called the Japanese-American Review was issued in Seattle. The weekly was published at 673 Washington Street, Rm. A.
Japanese-American Courier (1928-1942). On January 1, 1928, a Japanese publication called the Japanese-American Courier distributed its first weekly. Jimmy Sakamato (1903-1955) was editor and publisher and promoted the paper as the “First Japanese-American Journal published all in English.” By 1930, its office was located at 317 Maynard Avenue and in the early 1930s moved to 214 5th Avenue S. By about 1940, it is possible that the paper was publishing daily. The newspaper ceased operations on April 24, 1942, just before the U.S. Government forced the entire Japanese American community into internment camps during World War II.
Hokubei Hochi (The North American Post) (1946-present: still publishing in 2001). After a four year suspension, on June 5, 1946, a Japanese newspaper was once again published in Seattle. The Hokubei Hochi (The North American Post) started as a weekly at 217 5th Avenue S. The publisher was Sadahiko Ikoma (or Ikonra). It soon used 215 5th Avenue S as its address. It was from this address that the Hokubei Jiji (The North American Times) had been issued as a daily from no later than 1906 until March 12, 1942.
This paper was forced to cease publication when the Japanese American community was rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. From 1946 to the end of 1948, the North American Post was issued weekly and then started issuing papers three times a week. In March 1950, it increased to a daily publication issued five days a week. On March 20, 1981, the newspaper reduced its frequency to three times a week. It was published at least until December 22, 1993.
Seihoku Nippo (1948-1952). In about 1948, the Seihoku Nippo, a daily Japanese newspaper, started in Seattle at 511 Washington Street. In 1951, M. K. Miyata was the proprietor of the paper. It ceased publication in 1952.
