A CARDIGAN councillor has paid his own heartfelt tribute to one of the town’s great characters ahead of his funeral tomorrow morning.

Akira Shimazaki – who was known as ‘Jac Bara Caws’ after the popular café he opened in Pendre in 1973 – famously become the first person from Japan to be elected as a town councillor in Britain after standing for Plaid Cymru in the 2012 local elections.

“I am not proud to be the first native Japanese councillor in British history, but I am proud of people in Cardigan who chose me - they are great,” he said at the time.

However, five years later he quit the party he had supported since arriving at Aberystwyth University as a young student in 1969, claiming their policies were ‘out of touch’ with the Welsh public.

Mr Shimazaki passed away peacefully, aged 80, at Brondesbury Lodge Nursing Home on January 9.

“He was a great friend of mine,” Cllr John Adams-Lewis told the Tivy-Side. “He opened his café, Bara Caws, in 1973, having arrived in Cardigan the year previously.

“He became an active member of Plaid Cymru and the Plaid group met at his café.

“After closing his café he moved to work in Nigeria and Algeria with a British and Japanese catering company.

“Returning to Wales in 1999, he re-immersed himself in the traditions and culture of Wales, learning the Welsh language.

“He later taught Japanese in colleges, latterly ending his career teaching Japanese at Fishguard Community Centre.

“With his talented musical skills on the electric organ at social events, he became a popular and much-respected member of Cardigan Bowls Club.

“During my Mayoral year in 2016, I accompanied Jac to Japan for two weeks, visiting his native town about 200 miles north of Tokyo where I was introduced to the town mayor.

“His passing was a sad day for Cardigan – his jovial, quiet, friendly approach will always be remembered and missed by so many of his friends.”

A public funeral at St Mary’s Church, Cardigan, at 11am tomorrow will be followed by interment at St Brynach’s Church, Nevern.