Consulate General of Japan Liaison/Kumiko Sakurama Curtis
I come from a very diverse background with a lot of Japanese cultural history, religious doctrines, political beliefs, and social ideologies. I was born in Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bombing took place. Both my parents are survivors of the WWII era. My father served in the Japanese Army/POW returned to Nagasaki after the war. Mom, age 23 at that time, is a direct survivor of the atomic bomb where she was able to shield herself from the blast and thermal radiation in the Nagasaki rugged terrain. I am a cancer survivor from the indirect effects from the atomic fallout.
My families are of the Samurai blood line. Mom’s grandfather family (lived in a Samurai Castle) was second in power during the Kumamoto Samurai period. Father’s families were also Samurai (farmers in surrounding mountains) much like what was illustrated in the movie “The Last Samurai”. (Known as the Japan Civil War Era).
After High School I was trained as a tour guide for City of Nagasaki and the “Glover House & Gardens” which later known as the “Madama Butterfly House” after Puccini wrote what has become one of the best world acclaimed opera’s. I even had to sing parts of this opera while giving these guided tours (Beautiful Day).
I married a U.S. Navy soldier and found myself in the United States where I earned my Accounting Degree from the University of West Florida (Graduated 1998). I have used my degree both working for the Navy Exchange and Sacred Heart Hospital. I have always given back my knowledge and caring nature through working and volunteering in community. I have worked part time with the Japan Center at the University of West Florida (Over 15 years). My volunteerism is numerous: Sacred Heart Children’s Miracle Network, Japanese-American Society, Double Bridge Run, Blue Angel Run, Diabetes Walk, Pensacola Spring Fest, Sister City Hagiwara/Pensacola inter-cultural exchange interpreter, Board Japanese American Society of Northwest Florida and more.
In January 2012, I was asked to develop a PowerPoint presentation for the members/performers/families of the Pensacola Opera as a community diversity educational event for Japan Center at the University of West Florida. The project was such a big success that others have asked to develop my presentation about “Madama Butterfly” story into a diversity training/educational program…..
March 2014, I was asked to serve as Liaison, for the Consulate-General Japan in Miami for the Pensacola/Northwest Florida region.
