Frances Hashimoto facts for kids

Frances Kazuko Hashimoto (August 26, 1943 – November 4, 2012) was a Japanese-American businesswoman and community leader. She played a very important role in the Los Angeles Little Tokyo neighborhood.

Frances Hashimoto led her family's business, Mikawaya, starting in 1970. She is known for inventing mochi ice cream. She also helped introduce this popular dessert to people across America.

Life Story of Frances Hashimoto

Early Years

Frances Hashimoto's parents, Koroku and Haru Hashimoto, owned a family business called Mikawaya. It was a traditional Japanese sweet shop, or wagashi store. They first opened it in Los Angeles in 1910.

During World War II, the family was forced to close their shop. Frances's parents, like many other Japanese Americans, were sent to special camps. These camps were set up during the war. They were sent to the Poston War Relocation Center in Arizona.

Frances Hashimoto was born in this center on August 26, 1943. After the war ended, her family returned to Los Angeles. They reopened Mikawaya in Little Tokyo on December 23, 1945.

Frances grew up in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. She went to Hollenbeck Junior High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School. In 1966, she earned a degree from the University of Southern California (USC). After college, she became an elementary school teacher.

Leading Mikawaya

Frances taught third grade for four years. Then, in 1970, her mother asked her to join the family business full-time. Her mother had become a widow. Frances thought about it for six months before deciding to leave teaching.

At just 27 years old, Frances became the chief executive officer (CEO) of Mikawaya. She worked hard to expand the family's business. In 1974, she opened a second bakery in Los Angeles.

Under Frances's leadership, Mikawaya grew a lot. They opened more locations in Little Tokyo, Torrance, California, Gardena, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii. The main store is still in the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo.

Mochi ice cream, created by Hashimoto.

Frances Hashimoto is famous for creating the popular mochi ice cream. She also helped bring it to the American market. Her husband, Joel Friedman, first thought of putting ice cream inside mochi. Mochi is a sweet Japanese rice cake.

Frances took this idea and made it even better. Mikawaya started making mochi ice cream in seven different flavors. This new product became a huge success with customers. It helped Mikawaya grow beyond traditional Japanese pastries.

Today, Mikawaya sells its mochi ice cream in many big stores. These include Whole Foods, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Ralphs, and Safeway. Mochi ice cream now makes up most of Mikawaya's sales.

Community Work

Frances Hashimoto worked hard to protect and improve Little Tokyo. She faced challenges like changes in the community and tough economic times.

In 1982, Frances made history. She became the first woman to lead the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. She helped raise money for the festival. She believed it was important for young Japanese Americans to learn about their culture.

She also arranged for the festival's queen and princesses to visit Nagoya, Japan. Nagoya is a "sister city" to Los Angeles. Frances also worked to build stronger connections between Little Tokyo and a part of Nagoya.

Frances was the President of the Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA) from 1994 to 2008. She worked to keep Little Tokyo's unique character. She also helped with new developments in the neighborhood. This included improving signs, housing, and safety.

A Los Angeles City Council member, Jan Perry, said Frances worked very hard. She protected the history and identity of Little Tokyo. It is the largest Japanese community in California. Frances was also on the boards of several Japanese American groups.

In 2012, the government of Japan gave Frances a special award. It was called the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. This award recognized her efforts to improve relations between Japan and the United States.

On September 19, 2012, the Los Angeles City Council honored Frances. They voted to rename the intersection of Azusa and Second Streets "Frances Hashimoto Plaza." This was to recognize her important contributions to the city. The new name was officially revealed at a ceremony on November 15, 2012.

Passing Away

Frances Hashimoto passed away at her home in Pasadena, California, on November 4, 2012. She was 69 years old and died from lung cancer. She was survived by her husband, Joel Friedman, their two sons, Bryan Koji and Ryan Koroku Hashimoto-Friedman, and her sister, Sachiko June Osugi.