Lawrence Michizu Nakamura, born in Vancouver, British Columbia, is currently a healthy 86-year-old residing in Tokyo, Japan, with his spouse and diplomat daughter who is assigned to the Embassy of Canada in Japan. He has lived in Canada for over 50 years but has also spent many years in Asia, including in Hamhung, Seoul and Tokyo.

Nakamura retired from practicing kendo in May 2008 after spending close to five decades teaching Kendo and Asian philosophy in Canada, United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Through Kendo, he has dedicated his life to increasing people-to-people exchanges particularly among the youth of Asia and North America.

Nakamura successfully organized numerous good will kendo missions in both directions by engaging senior representatives of governments in Canada, Republic of Korea and Japan, including the late former Prime Minister Hashimoto of Japan, who was also an avid kendoist. His achievements have undoubtedly played a significant role in raising awareness, not only in Canada and the United States, but in Asia as well, of the benefits – both physical and mental – which can accrue through participation in Asian martial arts.

His contribution to deepening the understanding between the people of Asia and North America is being recognized today.