KCETLink Debuts 'JAPANESE AMERICAN LIVES' in Recognition of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

BURBANK,

Calif. - April 28, 2014 - In recognition of Asian-Pacific American Heritage

7 p.m. PST on Link TV (DirecTV 375, DISH Network 9410) and Friday, May 9 at 9 p.m.

on KCET.

Presented by the Center for Asian

stories that go beyond the history books. From a 99-year-old female judo

master, and the complex

story of a Japanese immigrant family disrupted by WWII, to founders of the

Asian American jazz movement, and Japanese Americans helping to rebuild Japan after

the devastating tsunami and earthquake, the series is an important look at the inspirational

stories of Asian Americans who have made a difference.

Using rare archival footage, exclusive

interviews and plenty of on-the-mat action, director Yuriko Gamo Romer eloquently

brings to life the inspiring story of a remarkable woman and judo master. At a

time when women went from childhood home to wife and homemaker, Keiko Fukuda

made an unpopular choice and took a different path, saying. This hour-long

documentary beautifully showcases the life of 99-year-old Sensei Fukuda,

presenting her as not only a pioneer for women but as an inspiration to us all.

"Honor & Sacrifice" by

Lucy Ostrander tells the complex story of a Japanese immigrant family ripped

apart by WWII. The Matsumoto family included five sons -- two who fought for

the Americans and three who fought for the Japanese. The eldest, Hiroshi (Roy),

became a hero, fighting against the Japanese with Merrill's Marauders, an

American guerrilla unit in Burma.

"Don't Lose Your Soul" by

Jim Choi and Chihiro Wimbush showcases two unsung Asian Americans in the music

world. This intimate portrait follows two Asian American musical legends:

bassist Mark Izu and Grammy-nominated drummer Anthony Brown, both founders of

the Asian American Jazz Movement.

"Stories From Tohoku" chronicles survivors' stories of

courage and resilience three years after the devastating 2011 Tohoku

earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. This powerful documentary

featuring Olympic Gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, explores both the endurance

and frustration of survivors and the hope inspired by visitors. Told through

the voices of ordinary people, we meet survivors facing an uncertain future

with hope and strength, and Japanese Americans committed to help and support in

Japan's recovery.

ABOUT KCETLINK

KCETLink

is the national independent public transmedia organization formed by the merger

between KCET and Link Media. A viewer-supported 501c(3) organization, its

content is distributed nationally via satellite on DirecTV (375) and DISH

(9410), in Southern and Central California via broadcast, as well as through

various digital delivery systems. The combined organization reaches a wide

broadcast audience that includes Link TV's 33 million satellite subscribers and

KCET's 5.6 million households in Southern and Central California. KCETLink is

committed to driving public media innovation with smarter ways to access

content that engages all audiences with global storytelling. For additional

information about KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content, programming

schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.