Vol. 22, No. 8, February 23, 1946. 8 pages. View this issue
Japanese Americans in Japan after the war were the subject of several stories on the front page. Nisei who were caught there when the war began were hounded by police, arrested and kept under surveillance, according to information received by the paper. Nisei soldiers with the U.S. occupation worked as soldiers, interpreters and technicians, and at the Showa air base they supervised the conversion of a Japanese aircraft plant to peacetime production. Saburo Kido, JACL national president, announced that wartime emergency powers would return to local chapters at the ninth biennial convention in Denver.
Also inside: Judge T. Blake Kennedy ordered seven draft case leaders released from prison, and more than 3,000 Tule Lake renunciants began receiving notices of release from detention. General Dwight Eisenhower spoke with T/4 Sagie Nishioka, a wounded 442nd Combat Team veteran. Other items cover the 442nd’s third anniversary in Italy, an Issei father who received his son’s posthumous Distinguished Service Cross, and a Nisei veteran’s waterfront job case.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Nisei Caught in Japan by War Hounded by Police, page 1. Nisei caught in Japan after the outbreak of war were harassed, arrested, and placed under police surveillance by the gendarmerie and special police. Informants reported that many students and others struggled with financial hardship and limited means of support.
- Seven Draft Case Leaders Win Release, page 1. Judge T. Blake Kennedy ordered the release of seven Japanese Americans serving prison terms for draft conspiracy after the U.S. moved to dismiss the case. The dismissal followed a recommendation from the attorney general’s office in Washington.
- Report Notices for Release From Detention Received by Some Renunciants in Tule Lake, page 2. More than 3,000 Tule Lake renunciants who appeared before the Department of Justice hearing board are receiving notices of release from detention. Those released may relocate anywhere in the United States.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Gls Have Difficult Occupation Duty in Japan, page 1. Japanese American soldiers serving with the U.S. occupation in Japan act as soldiers, interpreters, and technicians. Their service is described as valuable to the occupation effort.
- “Ike” Says Nisei Charged Too Many Nazi Machine-Guns, page 1. General Dwight Eisenhower chatted with T/4 Sagie Nishioka, a wounded 442nd Combat Team veteran, during a hospital inspection at Fitzsimons General Hospital. Nishioka reportedly told Eisenhower he charged machine-gun nests in Italy.
- Nisei War Veteran Wins Fight for Waterfront Job, page 2. Johnny M. Shultz, a Nisei veteran and longshoreman, won his case when arbitrator Dr. Rathbun ruled that denying him work on the waterfront was unjustified. The ruling upheld his right to employment despite his earlier registration issues.
- Nisei GIs Reconvert Japan Warplant to Peacetime Use, page 3. Eighteen Nisei soldiers at the Showa air base supervise the conversion of a former Japanese aircraft plant into a factory producing jeeps, furniture, and mess equipment for Fifth Air Force troops. Col. Ryder W. Finn praised their combined roles as soldiers, interpreters, and technicians.
- Japanese American Soldiers Supervise Manufacture of Goods at Showa Air Base, page 3. Japanese American soldiers serve as the management link in converting a Japanese war plant into a peacetime manufacturing facility. Their work has produced satisfactory production records under Nisei supervision.
- Issei Father Receives DSC Given Posthumously to Son, page 3. The Distinguished Service Cross awarded posthumously to a Nisei soldier was received by his Issei father. The honor recognized the son’s wartime heroism.
- 442nd Combat Team Celebrates Third Anniversary in Italy, page 3. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team marked the third anniversary of its activation while stationed in Italy. Members reflected on the unit’s service and achievements.
JACL
- JACL President Kido Will Relinquish Special Emergency Powers at Denver Convention, page 1. Saburo Kido, JACL national president, announced that the organization will return emergency wartime powers held by the national office to local chapters at the ninth biennial convention in Denver. The convention is described as a workshop conference focused on the organization’s expansion.
Community
- Chicago Group Makes Plans for Youth Activities, page 2. A Chicago Nisei group announced plans for expanded activities and special interest sub-groups in areas such as recreation and music. Organizers said the group’s popularity has grown and new programs are planned.
Commentary
- Nisei Speaks on Panel, page 6. Joe Grant Masaoka appeared on an interfaith and interracial panel before the Palo Alto Adult Education group. The panel discussed issues facing Japanese Americans.
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