Jimi Yamaichi is a familiar face in Japantown.

SAN JOSE — The Spirit of Japantown Award will be presented on the festival's main stage, located near Jackson and 4th streets, on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1:45 p.m. to Jimi Yamaichi, who has been instrumental in the historical and physical preservation of San Jose Japantown. Following is a brief biography:

Jimi Yamaichi is a retired construction manager, general contractor and cabinet shop owner. Most recently, he has been project manager of several overseas construction projects for Solectron.

During World War II, he was incarcerated in Pomona Assembly Center in California, Heart Mountain in Wyoming and Tule Lake in California. At Tule Lake he was in charge of construction and maintenance, overseeing many projects, including a jail that is still standing.

Yamaichi has been active on many Japantown boards and committees such as those of Fuji Towers (senior housing) and San Jose Buddhist Church.

Presently, he is actively involved with the Buddhist Church Advisory Board as well as the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj), the Obon Festival and Nikkei Matsuri. He is also an advisor to Boy Scout Troop 611.

Along with the Tule Lake Committee, Yamaichi is leading the effort to preserve and restore the site of the Tule Lake camp. He has been active with the Tule Lake Committee, planning and participating in the Tule Lake Pilgrimages for the last 10 years.

He speaks frequently to schools and civic groups and recently organized a 10-part lecture series on the Japanese American experience in Santa Clara Valley, held at the Buddhist Church.

For more information on the event, visit www.spiritofjapantownfestival.com.