Yoshimi Ishikawa, Author of ‘Strawberry Road,’ Dies at Age 77; Previously Won Oya Soichi Nonfiction Award

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:21 JST, August 21, 2024

Author Yoshimi Ishikawa, known for books such as “Strawberry Road,” passed away from a myocardial infarction on Monday at the age of 77.

Born on Izu-oshima Island, Tokyo, Ishikawa went to the United States to work on a strawberry farm after graduating from high school. After returning to Japan, he studied political science at Keio University, then graduated and returned to the United States to research the history of Japanese immigration, among other topics. In 1983, he published “California Story.”

In 1989, he won the Oya Soichi Nonfiction Award for “Strawberry Road,” based on his own experiences in the United States.

On Monday evening, he was attending a meeting and became ill while giving a speech.