Dear Friends and Family,

We are reaching out to share the devastating news that Kenji Oiwake passed away unexpectedly while visiting Los Angeles at the age of 66 on June 25, 2025. We are all saddened beyond words by this sudden loss, one that came much too soon.

Kenji is remembered by his loving wife, Susan, along with three beautiful daughters, Michelle, Christine and Rachel, as well as one grandson, Jaylen — not to mention countless other family members and friends whose hearts he has touched. He was a passionate, warmhearted soul who loved his family and worked his entire life to bring people together. He was a proud USC Trojan, a ramen-lover, and a true Beatles fan. Just one month ago, he was able to celebrate the marriage of his daughter Christine Oiwake to Mike Wang. Kenji still had so much to give and so much to do, from exciting new business projects, to weddings and grandchildren, to going to a Dodgers game with family and friends to watch Shohei Ohtani hit a home run.

His life was split between Japan and the United States, with most of his life based in Japan. With his sudden passing in the United States, it has become a complicated process and challenging coordination between the two countries. Kenji’s family wishes to honor him with two funeral services. The first will be in Los Angeles, where Kenji spent his final days visiting family and dreamed of building a new life bridging communities across the Pacific. The second service will be back in Japan, where he was born, raised, met Susan, raised their three daughters, and created so many meaningful connections. These two services – along with medical fees, cremation, legal procedures, transportation services, and more – have created a financial challenge for the family.

I have set up this GoFundMe page to represent the friends of the family who wish to help them through this unimaginably difficult time, not only from the pain of grieving but also the financial, physical, and emotional strain of pouring everything they have into planning multiple services to honor his memory.

No amount is too small, and any bit of contribution would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, sharing this message to others to help spread this effort would mean a lot to us.

Thank you so much,

Ryan Williams and Friends of the Oiwake Family