Jujiro Wada traveled from Seattle to Dawson in 1902 and along the route he passed through Skagway. In July he made it all the way from Dawson to Nome aboard the Yukon river steamer Rough Rider, where he took employment as a cook. The scenery he probably saw during his breaks is described below. For more details on Wada`s travel see Life History.
Jujiro Wada Memorial Association (JWMA) received the 8th ” Rejuvenating Local Community Excellence Award ” in 2017.
This prize is awarded by an organization consisting of 46 local newspaper companies and Kyodo news annually to local organizations that engage in activities to enhance the awareness and rejuvenation of the community. JWMA was awarded for its contribution to the community by promoting valuable activities.
On February 9 (Friday), there was a ceremony at the City Cosmos Hall in Tokyo, and Mikio Ueoka received a certificate on behalf of JWMA, and it was also widely published in the Ehime newspaper of the local newspaper.
” Jujiro Wada was an explorer from Ehime Prefecture was active in North America, Alaska and Canada from the Meiji period to the Showa period. Our mission is to honor and pass on his accomplishments and filial duties to the next generation. Jujiro Wada Memorial Association, JWMA, cooperate with local volunteer groups to improve the lawn and banks around the “Jujiro Wada Honorable Monument” and make it a place for relaxation for townsfolk” (Ehime Newspaper)
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation to have such a proud prize.
In order not to be ashamed of this award, we would like to continue working on further activities.
We sincerely wish to express our sincere gratitude to you for your continued support.
In May 2015, Mikan Iza’s musical “Samurai running toward the Aurora” was performed in Anchorage. To commemorate his legacy, “Jujiro Wada honorific monument” was built in Seward City, Alaska.
Activities to raise awareness of Wada’s exploration is becoming international. Recently, a symposium introducing Wada was held in Fanano. This city in Italy is the hometown of Felix Pedro, who found a gold mine near Tanana River with Wada.
It has been over 80 years since Wada’s death and because many documents are missing, an international symposium was held at the “Saka No Ueno Kumo” museum in Matsuyama for scholars who research about Wada to preserve existing documents and share information about their findings and upcoming events on November 18, 2017.
The symposium was moderated by Ms. Setsuko Kaida, who is the director of Mikan Ichiza. In the symposium, active debate was made by Mr.Kazuhiko Tanaka of Jujiro Wada memorial association, JWMA, President, Mr.Tony Nakazawa of Alaska JWMA, Mr.Timothy Minezaki of Alaska JWMA Vice President, and Mr.Hiroyuki Matsuura of International coordinator. An active discussion was held on the future global development of international recognition activities by four men.
Finally, three separate organizations related to Wada based in USA, Canada and Japan had a signing ceremony to agree to cooperate on promoting research about Wada.
This symposium was broadcasted on Nankai local radio. It also aired on “News Channel 4” and NHK’s “HimePon.”
