A nonprofit organization Japanese Language and Culture School in San Francisco, CA
2031 Bush St, San Francisco CA 94115 | (415) 567-4383
About Us
Kinmon Gakuen is supported by dedicated board members and educators who provide guidance and oversight for its mission and activities.
Kinko Sakamoto
Honorary Chair
Retired business owner in San Francisco Japantown.
Board Member of Kinmon Gakuen since 2009 and served as Board President from 2015 to 2023. Appointed Honorary Chair in 2023.
Dr. Masahiko Minami
Education Director
Professor, College of Liberal & Creative Arts,
San Francisco State University.
Board Member of Kinmon Gakuen since 2016. Served as Head of School from 2020 to 2023 and has been serving as Education Director since 2023.
Mitsuhiko Fukuda
Director
Joined the Kinmon Gakuen Board of Directors in 2022. A retired business owner, he has been actively involved in a karaoke group for many years and continues to participate in community and cultural activities in San Francisco Japantown.
Shinichi Seino
Chair, President
Retired bookseller in San Francisco Japantown. Former President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (2005) and Tri-Chair of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (2017). Serving as Board Chair of Kinmon Gakuen since 2023.
Diane Matsuda
Director
Joined the Kinmon Gakuen Board of Directors in 2022. She has long been actively involved in community activities in San Francisco Japantown, including work with organizations such as the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California and the San Francisco Japantown Foundation.
Junichiro Ikeda
Director
Joined the Kinmon Gakuen Board of Directors in 2025. Branch Manager of the U.S. Bank Japan Center Branch.
Richard Hashimoto
Director
Joined the Kinmon Gakuen Board of Directors in 2014. He currently serves as Treasurer of Kinmon Gakuen and is President of the Japantown Merchants Association of San Francisco. He has long contributed to the San Francisco Japantown community and has been actively involved in community events, including the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Tetsuo Nishihira
Director
Joined the Kinmon Gakuen Board of Directors in 2022. A business professional with extensive experience in hospitality and international trade. After working with Western International Hotels (now Westin Hotels), he later became President of Shigyo America Corporation. He is currently the owner and president of his company, focusing on marketing, operations, finance, and import/export business in North America. He resides in Fairfield, California.