Rafu Shimpo was founded in 1903 by Rippo Iijima, Masaharu Yamaguchi, and Seijiro Shibuya as a one-page, mimeographed Japanese-language newspaper in Los Angeles. The founders recognized the need for a dedicated news source to serve the growing Japanese immigrant community in the area. In 1922, H.T. Komai became the publisher, beginning a family dynasty that continues to this day. Currently, the newspaper is owned by the Los Angeles News Publishing Co., with Michael M. Komai serving as the publisher. Today, Rafu Shimpo is a bilingual Japanese-English newspaper based in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. It covers a wide range of topics including local and international news, politics, community events, sports (particularly Japanese American sports leagues), entertainment, and cultural affairs. The newspaper also provides extensive coverage of issues relevant to the Japanese American community in Southern California and beyond. Rafu Shimpo publishes both print and digital editions, with the print version coming out four times a week. **One interesting fact**: During World War II, the Rafu Shimpo was forced to cease publication due to the incarceration of Japanese Americans. However, thanks to the foresight of Akira Komai, who hid the printing equipment under the floorboards of the building, the newspaper was able to resume publication in 1946, becoming the first Japanese American newspaper to restart operations on the West Coast after the war.