Kenji Asa

Kenji Asa passed away peacefully on November 20, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 89.

Kenji was born on February 24, 1936, in Vancouver, B.C., to Kaname and Mitsuko Asa. Just prior to the Second World War, at the age of four, his family moved to Hiroshima, Japan. In 1945, Kenji suffered the tragic loss of his mother during the bombing of Hiroshima.

In November 1954, together with his brothers Roy and John, he returned to Canada and settled in Port Credit (near Toronto), where he worked at the Lever Mushroom Farm.

Kenji met his first wife, Jitsumi, at his brother Roy’s wedding, and together they had two sons, Richard and Anthony.

On June 10, 1959, the three brothers opened Asa Cameras, which later grew into the Japan Camera Centre chain and introduced the first 1-Hour Photo System in North America.

Kenji was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on October 15, 1994, and served as a Ministerial Servant and Full-Time Minister in the Japanese Congregation.

Kenji met Takako in 2002, and they were happily married on October 5, 2002. He retired from work in 2004 and returned to his birth city of Vancouver, where he enjoyed his remaining years.

Kenji loved golf and once achieved a hole-in-one. He also enjoyed playing tennis and ping pong.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Takako; his son Anthony (Cindy); his granddaughters Brittney (Matthew) and Bridgitte; his older brother Roy; and his younger sister Fumiko (Tak).

He is also survived by his stepsons, Kenji (Makiko) and Koji (Linda), who lovingly cared for him during his many health challenges.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son Richard, his younger brother John, and his first wife, Jitsumi.

Kenji will be remembered for being very studious, for his deep love for his family and friends, and for being a Jehovah’s Witness. He will also be remembered for always carrying a camera and taking pictures on every occasion.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3024 E 52nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5S 1T6.

Zoom ID: 822 8097 2750, Passcode: 242419.