Interview with Kim Wakabayashi

Kim Wakabayashi's interview was conducted on January 10, 2005 by Peter Wakayama. In the interview, Kim speaks about her arrival to Canada after marrying her husband, Tokujiro Wakabayashi that was arranged by Kim's parents. Kim talks about her difficulty settling in Regina, Saskatchewan in the early years being separated from her family and not being able to speak in English. Then, Kim and Tokujiro established the Mikado Store in Saskatoon in 1933 that sold household items and clothing. Her son, George, eventually took over the family business. The Wakayabashi family were not moved from their home during WWII as they did not live within 160 km from the Pacific coast. The city of Saskatoon, in recognition of the contribution of the Wakayabashi family, named a street, Wakabayashi Crescent.