Remembering Ruthann Kurose, “one of the unsung heroes” of redress for Japanese Americans

Ruthann Shigeko Kurose, a Seattle-born human rights activist and legislative aide who was instrumental in the Japanese American redress movement of the 1970s-80s, passed away on October 15, 2026 at her Mercer Island home. Kurose, who worked on congressional campaigns and lobbied for redress payments to Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II, later served the city of Seattle in international trade and tourism roles before focusing on community boards and mentoring. The King County Council will adjourn its October 20 meeting in her honor.