Sei Soga

was a Japanese activist and community leader in Hawaii. Her penname was Shigano Urako.

Early life Soga was born Sei Tanizawa on September 30, 1882 in Fukui prefecture, Japan. She was one of four children born to and his wife, Yasu. The family moved to Otsu in 1887. Soga's mother and brother died when she was eleven years old, so she took on the responsibility of managing a household at a young age. She graduated from high school in 1898. During high school she also helped in her father's campaign to be elected to the Diet. Once he was voted in, she went to Tokyo with him when the Diet was in session.

Hawaii Soga married Yasutaro Soga on January 9, 1911. After arriving in Honolulu later that year, Soga joined several social organizations including the Japanese Women's Society, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and the Pan-Pacific Women's Organization. As part of the Japanese Women's Society, Soga served as head of the committee that supervised the organization's kindergarten for Japanese children born in Hawaii.

Soga was well-known for her outspoken personality and commitment to Japanese traditions. While she assimilated into American society, she maintained her Japanese New Years' traditions, acted as a nakōdo for young couples, and had Shigeo and his wife live with her after they married.

Soga became an American citizen in 1954. She was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1968 for her leadership in Hawaii's Japanese community. She died in Honolulu on August 8, 1970.