RKO, the Kawakita case and a burial plot for Sgt. Kazuo Masuda

Vol. 27, No. 22, November 26, 1948. 8 pages. View this issue

RKO’s denial that it was making a film on the Tomoya Kawakita treason case led this eight-page issue, after protests from JACL and the American Friends Service Committee. The studio said its picture was a fictional melodrama with a Japanese-ancestry villain. Also on page one, Westminster Memorial Cemetery reversed its refusal and offered a burial plot for Sgt. Kazuo Masuda, a decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team hero. Editorials on page four took up both stories, and Larry Tajiri wrote about Hawaii’s statehood prospects.

Other pages report Senator-elect Paul H. Douglas and Rep. Adolph J. Sabath pledging support for Issei naturalization, and I. H. Gordon’s Washington Letter on why JACL and ADC remain necessary. Bill Hosokawa’s column looks at the day after Thanksgiving, and Den Morey’s short story “The Five-Dollar Bill” runs on page six. Chapter news, sports and a report on five Nisei veterans buried at Arlington fill the rest.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • RKO Studio Denies Producing Motion Picture on Tomoya Kawakita Treason Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. RKO studio stated it is not producing a film on the Kawakita treason case but will distribute a fictional Philippines-set melodrama with a Japanese-ancestry villain. The studio said the picture includes a sequence honoring loyal Japanese American soldiers, following protests from JACL and other groups.
  • American Friends Service Group Sends Protests Over Proposed Kawakita Movie, page 1. The American Friends Service Committee’s Race Relations committee urged its offices to protest a proposed RKO film on Tomoya Kawakita. It argued the film would be out of proportion to the contributions of other Japanese Americans and could incite anti-Japanese sentiment.
  • Masuda Family Gravesite Available for Hero of 442nd Combat Team, page 1. Westminster Memorial Cemetery reversed its earlier denial and offered the Masuda family the burial plot they wanted for Sgt. Kazuo Masuda, a decorated 442nd hero. The reversal followed public protest and intercession by JACL-ADC officials.
  • Report Japanese Americans Denied Burial Plots in Cemeteries in Chicago Area, page 1. The Midwest JACL-ADC office reported that Japanese American soldier dead and civilians are being refused burial plots in Chicago cemeteries. The Chicago JACL chapter announced a campaign to fight this discriminatory practice.

Military & Veterans

  • Ken Uchida Will Attend National Amvets Meeting, page 1. Ken Uchida, Utah’s alternate national committeeman for Amvets, will attend the organization’s national executive committee meeting in Little Rock. He is expected to present problems of Nisei veterans there.
  • Company C Veterans Hold Reunion in Los Angeles, page 1. Former members of Company C, 442nd Combat Team, living in Southern California held a reunion in Los Angeles on Nov. 20. Films of the Fifth Army in Italy were shown.
  • GI Language Program Trained 6,000 Nisei for Wartime, Occupation Work in Pacific, page 2. The Army Language School at Monterey, which trained over 6,000 Japanese American soldiers, will merge with the Navy Language school around July 1949. The article recounts the contributions of Nisei linguists throughout the Pacific war and occupation.
  • Five Nisei Veterans Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, page 8. Five Nisei veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including Pfc. Shichizo Toyota and Pfc. Victor Katsu Hada. JACL’s Ira Shimasaki spoke at the services, honoring their heroism.

Commentary

  • Federal Court to Hear Plea in Treason Case, page 1. Legal arguments on Iva Toguri d’Aquino’s motion to dismiss her treason indictment will resume in federal court on Dec. 13. Her attorney Wayne Collins contends the indictment fails to cite an overt act.
  • Washington Letter: Positive Need for Continuing Activities of ADC Noted, by I. H. Gordon, page 3. Gordon argues that JACL and ADC remain necessary even after current objectives are achieved, because prejudice can return in troubled times. He warns that minority groups must keep an organization ready to act.
  • Segregation to the Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes Westminster Memorial Park’s decision to bury Sgt. Kazuo Masuda but notes that restrictive covenants keep many Japanese Americans out of cemeteries nationwide. It calls on cemeteries to guarantee equal treatment in the future.
  • Living War Memorials, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges California communities raising funds for Nisei war hero memorials to build living memorials such as playgrounds, libraries and scholarships instead of only stone monuments. It argues these better honor the soldiers’ commitment to the Japanese American community.
  • RKO and the Kawakita Film, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial notes Hollywood’s history of spreading Nisei disloyalty myths and credits Pacific Citizen protests for RKO’s stated concern about portraying Nisei fairly. It says the studio’s assurances reflect public attention to the issue.
  • Nisei USA: Notes on the Forty-Ninth State, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri analyzes Hawaii’s statehood prospects after the 1948 election, noting Democratic gains and the likely loss of Sen. Hugh Butler’s committee chairmanship. He also examines Gov. Stainback’s use of the Communist issue and its racial overtones against Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
  • Letter-Box: Masuda Incident, page 4. A reader from Ogden, Utah writes to express sympathy to the Masuda family and to apologize for the treatment the family received. The writer honors Sgt. Masuda’s sacrifice in Italy.
  • The Day After Thanksgiving, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa reflects on how leftover turkey loses its appeal by the third day, comparing it unfavorably with other meats. He also discusses how Nisei benefit from two culinary traditions and how evacuees popularized fresh fish in the intermountain region.

Community

  • L.A. Group Will Sponsor Xmas Baskets, page 1. The Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapter appropriated $100 to provide Christmas assistance to needy Japanese American families in cooperation with the county Bureau of Public Assistance. The November meeting also featured a ballroom dancing session.
  • Give Party for New Immigrants, page 2. Japanese American groups in San Francisco hosted a party for new immigrant groups on Nov. 23 as part of a program to promote understanding. Entertainment included songs and presentations.
  • Japan-Born Brother Enlists, page 2. Watson Endo, a Seattle Nisei, missed his brother Robert’s funeral because he had already left for Army induction. Robert, a 442nd soldier killed in France, was returned for burial after his brother had been repeatedly denied enlistment.
  • Oakland Nisei Lists Western Pioneer Insurance Company Stock Offering, page 2. A stock offering advertisement for Western Pioneer Automobile Insurance Company lists dealers authorized to sell shares. Because this is a paid securities advertisement, it should be considered an advertisement and is excluded.
  • Convention Pies Buddhists Drive, page 2. Los Angeles County Supervisor Raymond Darby endorsed the B for Buddhists drive seeking Army recognition of Buddhism as a religion. He pledged that Secretary of Defense Forrestal would consider the request.
  • Report of Fruit Truck Collision in Berkeley, page 2. A fruit truck driver, Seiji Yamashita, was injured when his truck collided with an interurban train in Berkeley on Nov. 19. Traffic was delayed while police cleared the wreckage.
  • California Community Will Join National JACL, page 3. The Watsonville JACL unanimously voted to affiliate with the National JACL and adopted a conforming constitution. Members also approved participation in the Blue Cross hospitalization plan, which would extend to Issei as associate members.
  • Alameda JACL to Aid in Filing Evacuee Claims, page 3. The Alameda JACL selected a nominating committee for its 1949 officers and decided to assist residents in filing evacuation claims. Reports from the Northern California-Western Nevada district council meeting were also given.
  • Dudley Yatabe to Be Soloist with High School Symphony, page 3. Seventeen-year-old Nisei pianist Dudley Yatabe will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Marshall High School Symphony Orchestra in Chicago on Dec. 8. Tickets are available through Marshall students.
  • Yasutake Heads Chicago Resettlers, page 3. Jack K. Yasutake was named executive director of the Chicago Resettlers Committee. The brief announces the appointment.
  • Southwest L.A. Group Hold Elections, page 7. The nominating committee of the Southwest Los Angeles JACL proposed slates of candidates for the chapter’s officer positions. The incumbent president, Dr. Roy Nishikawa, is among those nominated.
  • Unanimous Vote Names Ken Uchida to Second Term as President, page 7. Ken Uchida was reelected unanimously as president of the Ogden JACL, and other officers and district chairmen were chosen. The chapter also voted to bid for the 1949 Intermountain District Council convention.
  • Salt Lake Chapter Makes Plans for New Year’s Dance, page 7. The Salt Lake JACL announced its 1949 New Year’s dance will be open to the public free of charge. Installation of new chapter officers will be held during intermission.
  • Cleveland JACL Plans Inaugural Fete, page 8. The Cleveland JACL will hold its second annual inaugural ball at the Hollenden Hotel on Dec. 11. Tak Toyota is general chairman of the event.
  • Court Grants Nisei Plea for Name Change, page 8. A Sacramento Superior Court judge granted a Nisei man’s petition to take his future wife’s surname upon marriage. The man has five daughters and wanted to preserve the family name.
  • San Jose JACL Group to Hold Annual Elections, page 8. The Santa Clara County JACL will elect officers at a meeting at the UCL building, with candidates nominated for president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. A film titled Nisei Story will be shown after the elections.

National

  • Sen. Douglas Supports Bill for Issei Naturalization, page 1. Senator-elect Paul H. Douglas assured JACL-ADC representatives he will support naturalization legislation for Issei in the 81st Congress. He praised Nisei G.I.s and called the 442nd Combat Team the greatest fighting unit in the Army.
  • Rep. Sabath Will Back Legislation for Issei Citizenship, page 1. Congressman Adolph J. Sabath pledged to support legislation granting naturalization to Issei and repealing the 1924 Exclusion Law. He noted he will become chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee.
  • Federal Court to Hear Plea in Treason Case, page 2. Legal arguments on Iva Toguri d’Aquino’s motion to dismiss her treason indictment will resume on Dec. 13. Her attorney contends the indictment fails to cite an overt act.
  • New Bill of Rights Urged at Chicago Intergroup Meet, page 3. A. Abbot Rosen urged the writing of a new Bill of Rights and early action on civil rights legislation at the Second National Conference on Intergroup Relations in Chicago. He noted that opposition to the civil rights program had been reduced.
  • Mariko Mukai Will Go to Japan to Join GI Husband, page 3. Nisei concert singer Mariko Mukai will leave Seattle in December to join her husband, Lieut. Tomomi Ando, in Japan. She has given concerts across the country and expects to sing in Japan.
  • Associated Press Says Judd Bill’s Prospects Bright in Coming Session of Congress, page 3. The Associated Press reported bipartisan support for removing racial bars to naturalization in the next Congress, through a bill by Rep. Walter Judd. The bill would also set small immigration quotas for Asia-Pacific countries and allow about 85,000 ineligible aliens to apply for citizenship.

Obituaries

  • Oldest Japanese Minister Dies in San Francisco, page 2. Rev. Zenro Hirota, the oldest Japanese Christian minister in the United States, died suddenly in San Francisco after a heart attack. He had served Methodist churches in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu.

JACL

  • Initiate Organizational Drive at Mountain Plains Meeting, page 3. Delegates from 20 communities in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico met in Denver to launch a JACL organizational drive. National officers Hito Okada and Masao Satow reported on the organization.

In-Depth

  • Life in the Crescent City, by Roku Suschore, page 5. The columnist describes New Orleans con games targeting tourists, including a fake card game and a bogus free zoo exhibit. He also notes the city’s friendlier pace and the honor-system cafe near Tulane.

Arts & Entertainment

  • A Short Story: The Five-Dollar Bill, by Den Morey, page 6. An elderly Issei named Masato Uyeda, homeless and jobless, is given a five-dollar bill by a kind Nisei named John Uyeno who invites him to Thanksgiving dinner. Masato is later arrested for passing a counterfeit bill and dies by suicide in jail, and John learns of his fate from the newspaper.
  • Bookshelf: American Me, page 6. The review recommends Beatrice Griffith’s book American Me, which chronicles discrimination against Mexican Americans and parallels the experiences of other minority groups. It notes the book helps readers understand race prejudice.
  • Chicago Church Will Give Annual Concert, page 8. The First Baptist Church in Chicago will present its fourth annual Christmas concert on Dec. 10, featuring excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. Several soloists will perform with the choir.

Sports

  • Unbeaten Sun Imps, page 8. Coach Bill Kajikawa’s Arizona State freshman football team remained unbeaten after defeating Pepperdine 27 to 25. Kajikawa, a former 442nd Combat Team veteran, also coaches the varsity basketball team.
  • Bowl Games, page 8. Herb Imanaka and Dutch Kawasoe of the College of Idaho will play in the Pear Bowl against Southern Oregon. Hawaii’s Jyun Hirota and Dick Mamiya will lead the University of Hawaii into the Pineapple Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.

More from Issue archive