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Central Coast Voices

The History of Santa Maria's New Japanese Community Center

By Lata Murti

Published June 25, 2026 at 3:44 PM PDT

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The City of Santa Maria's Japanese Community Center opened June 8, 2026 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Learn about the history and people who made it happen in this July 24, 2025 episode of Central Coast Voices with host Lata Murti and her guests, Jo Anne Nishino Spencer, President of the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center, and Wes Koyama, Santa Maria Japanese Community Center Vice-President.

Listen live Thursdays from 1-2pm on KCBX

Central Coast Voices

Lata Murti

Dr. Lata Murti is co-host of Central Coast Voices, heard every Thursday afternoon on KCBX from 1:00-2:00 p.m. After receiving her Ph.D. in American Studies & Ethnicity from the University of Southern California in 2010, Lata has dedicated herself to education, particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.

See stories by Lata Murti