Rose Takayo Matsui Ochi was honored with the naming of the main lobby at the Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory, also known as the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center (HDFSC). Rose was the inaugural director of the California Forensic Science Institute, which was housed at HDFSC as a partner of the Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory. Rose helped to bridge the gap in forensic science between the University (California State University, Los Angeles) and the forensic practitioners of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Through her leadership, guidance, and mentorship at CFSI, she leaves behind a legacy of students and a program that focused on providing training, funding research and creating opportunities for many young forensic professionals.

Rose was honored with the naming of the intersection of First Street and San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo Downtown Los Angeles on May 4th, 2021.  

The ceremony was well attended by City and community leaders.  It included a blessing conducted by Rev. Alfred Tsuyuki, head minister of Konko Church of Los Angeles.  Councilmember Kevin de Leon of Council District 14, who introduced the motion to have the heart of Little Tokyo named "Rose Ochi Square" spoke of Rose and her unsung achievements and contributions to the community.  Darlene Kuba, along with Tom Ochi (Rose's husband) joined in unveiling of the official sign for Rose Ochi Square.  

A video of the entire ceremony is provided in this post (click on the icon to the left) along with many news articles and videos (links below). 

Rafu Shimpo

CBS Los Angeles

My News LA

MSN

Yahoo News

Daily News

KFI AM 640

On Saturday, April 10, 2021, Rose's family and friends gathered via Zoom to celebrate the life of Takayo Rose Matsui Ochi.  The hour and a half long celebration was recorded and has been edited to highlight the event as best possible. 

Thanks to the Rose Ochi Celebration of Life Committee members who made this event possible: Darlene Kuba, Joanna Law, Karen Narasaki, Dolly Gee and Jeanette Takamura

Special thanks to Tommy Ochi (Rose's husband) and Marlene Matsui (Rose's niece).

California Legislature adjourned in memory to celebrate the life of civil rights activist and attorney, Takayo Rose Matsui Ochi, led by Assemblymembers Chris Holden, Reginald Jones-Sawyer, and Al Muratsuchi.

FOX 11 NEW's article on Rose Ochi --> Attorney, civil rights leader Rose Matsui Ochi dies, LAPD says

LAist - "LA Loses Rose Ochi, Civil Rights Leader and City Hall Insider"

LA Times - Rose Ochi, trailblazer for civil rights and Japanese American causes, dies at 81

YAHOO NEWS - Japanese American Civil Rights Leader Passes Away at 81 After Getting COVID 2nd Time

PACIFIC CITIZEN - December Deaths of Ochi, Imura Leave 2020 on Down Note

LA Law Library honors Rose Ochi and Justice Elwood Lui for their 2020 Beacon of Justice Award. Watch the video HERE. 

Takayo "Rose" Matsui Ochi was born in East Los Angeles on December 15, 1938. During World War II, Ochi's family was sent to Rohwer . It was in Rohwer that a Caucasian teacher gave her the new name "Rose," which she has used ever since. After the war, Rose lived for a year in Nevada with an uncle while her parents fought deportation for failing to maintain their business visas during their wartime incarceration in Rohwer. They were ultimately successful, and returned to Los Angeles with their children.

If you would like to continue to read more about Rose from this artilcle , please feel free to visit: Densho Encyclopedia

President Reagan's at the Japanese-American Internment Compensation Bill signing on August 10, 1988

Video taken from Reagan Library's YouTube.  Listen in at about 3 minutes 50 seconds to hear President Regan mention Rose in his speech. 

De Leon calls for intersection to be named Rose Ochi Square  - (posted January 16, 2021)

TRIBUTES TO ROSE TAKAYO MATSUI OCHI (1938-2020) - (posted December 19, 2020)

ROSE OCHI, 81; ATTORNEY, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER - (posted December 17, 2020)

SOCIAL JUSTICE MUSEUM HONORS ROSE OCHI - (posted October 26, 2012)

Thank you Nichi Bei for this article on Rose Oci. 

If you would like to read the full article by Martha Nakagawa, please click HERE. 

In 2017, Rose was honored with an article and a series of interviews on Discover Nikkei

If you would like to read about Rose from this article, please click HERE. 

The full playlist of her video interview can be viewed on YouTube. 

Rose Ochi speaking at the Uniting for Social Justice Gala on October 20th, 2012 at the Pico House in Los Angeles. Rose Ochi is an attorney and civil rights activist. She was one of the honorees at this gala. Thomas Ochi introduces Rose Ochi. This event was hosted by the Museum of Social Justice. Please visit the website www.museumofsocialjustice.org

If you would like to read about Rose Ochi's story in the booklet developed by the park rangers at Manzanar National Historic Site in partnership with Rose, you may click HERE to download the full PDF.  

Rose Ochi was inducted into the RHSAF Hall of Fame for her role model status and achievements.

TakayoRose Matsui Ochi Revisits the Meaning of the Redress on the 20th Anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1998.