Vol. 37, No. 2, July 10, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Mitsuo Fuchida, the former Japanese Navy captain who led the Pearl Harbor attack, arrived in Hawaii as a Christian missionary, and Lawrence Nakatsuka reported on the strong reaction from veterans and families. Immigration law shared the front page. A Senate subcommittee approved a bill admitting 240,000 non-quota refugees, and JACL President George Inagaki named Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe to chair a new study commission on immigration and naturalization. Mass naturalization ceremonies for Issei were also covered, including 126 who took the oath at Seabrook, New Jersey, in a report by Ayako Noguchi Nakamura.
Mike M. Masaoka wrote in support of Hawaii statehood and gave a status report on JACL legislation as Congress neared adjournment. Elsewhere in these eight pages: a joint picnic of two Los Angeles chapters, a proposed Japanese shopping center in San Francisco, plans for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team reunion in Honolulu, sports pages, and Harry K. Honda’s column on anti-American feeling in Japan.
What’s in this issue
National
- Navy Pilot Fuchida Turns Missionary, Sparks Strong Reaction in Hawaii, by By Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. Mitsuo Fuchida, the former Japanese Navy captain who led the Pearl Harbor attack, is touring Hawaii as a Christian missionary. His visit has provoked strong criticism from war veterans and families, and the Honolulu Advertiser opposed his plan to lay a wreath on the USS Arizona.
- Revise 240,000 DP Bill to Include China Refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Senate subcommittee approved an immigration bill allowing 240,000 non-quota refugees, including 1,000 from Communist China. Delegate Farrington of Hawaii had urged inclusion of Chinese refugees in the measure.
- Statehood for Hawaii Deserves Support Today, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka testified before a Senate committee urging statehood for Hawaii, arguing its diverse population is fully American. He contended that statehood would advance American credibility in Asia and reward the contributions of Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
- Seabrook Holds Nation’s First Mass Naturalization of Japanese, by Ayako Noguchi Nakamura, page 2. At Seabrook, New Jersey, 126 Issei took the oath of allegiance before a special court, the nation’s first mass swearing-in of Japanese. Judge David Horuvitz presided over the emotional ceremony held at Seabrook School.
JACL
- Name Key Chairmen of JACL Study Commission on Immigration Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL President George Inagaki named Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe chairman of the National JACL Study Commission on Immigration and Naturalization. Other appointees include Thomas T. Hayashi as secretary and committee chairmen Edward J. Ennis, Thomas M. Yego, and David McKibbin.
- Status of JACL Legislation, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the status of bills of JACL interest as Congress nears its July 31 adjournment target. Several measures, including evacuation claims funding and Hawaii statehood, face uncertain prospects.
Incarceration & Redress
- Mass Naturalization of 176 Issei Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A mass naturalization ceremony for 176 Issei from San Francisco and San Jose was scheduled for July 20. The ceremony follows a record swearing-in at Seabrook, New Jersey, where 126 Issei took their oaths.
Community
- Sparklers Burn Down Nisei Market, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A two-alarm fire started by two boys playing with sparklers destroyed Chimes Market in Oakland, causing an estimated $50,000 in damage. The market is owned by George Nobori and Tom Fujimoto.
- Six Convicted Smith Act Violators Jailed in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seven Hawaii residents, including four Nisei, were convicted under the Smith Act for conspiring to advocate violent overthrow of the government. Six received five-year prison terms and $5,000 fines, while Mrs. Fujimoto received a lighter sentence.
- Summer Naturalization Classes at Hollywood High, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hollywood JACL chapter is offering summer Americanization classes at Hollywood High School on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Instructor Miki Moriwaki is accredited by the city board of education.
- JACL Legal Counsel Serves as Resource Leader at Loyola Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Frank F. Chuman, JACL legal counsel, served as a resource leader in a Loyola University Human Relations Workshop, discussing civil rights problems facing persons of Japanese ancestry. The workshop ran from June 22 to July 31.
- Two L.A. Chapters Plan Fun Day, by P.C. Staff, page 4. East Los Angeles and Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapters are holding a joint picnic at Streamland Park on July 19. Nisei Week queen candidates are scheduled to appear at the event.
- Japanese Center Proposal Drafted, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A proposal for an uptown Japanese shopping center, with stores resembling prewar Grant Avenue shops and Japanese restaurants, was presented in San Francisco. The plan targets part of the Western Addition redevelopment area.
- Chapter Memo, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Brief chapter news from Detroit, New York, Idaho Falls, and San Francisco JACL chapters, covering a departure, a graduates banquet, a picnic, and an Ice Follies night.
- San Francisco Coordinating Group to Be Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Eight Japanese American organizations in San Francisco unanimously agreed in principle to form a coordinating council to promote community welfare. Topics include juvenile delinquency, state legislation, and assistance to aged Issei.
Commentary
- Will History Repeat Itself?, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial notes growing anti-American sentiment in Japan and compares it to the earlier drift between the two nations before Pearl Harbor. It urges Japanese Americans to bridge the gap through understanding.
- Selective Service, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that the draft is imposing severe hardship on Nisei dentists and doctors in their forties who were previously rejected for service. It notes the burden of practices, mortgages, and families on these professionals.
- Very Truly Yours: Anti-Americanism, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda surveys rising anti-American feeling in Japan alongside political instability in Italy, France, and West Germany. He suggests such reports are common worldwide and that Nisei need not fear serious consequences for Japanese-American relations.
- George Collins: Man of Principles, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises California Assemblyman George Collins for decades of support for fair treatment of Nisei and other minorities. It highlights his opposition to discriminatory measures and his sponsorship of a bill barring racial discrimination in public real estate sales.
Military & Veterans
- Scout Jamboree Draws Nisei Youths From All Regions, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei scouts from California, including large delegations from San Francisco and Central California, are attending the National Jamboree at Newport Beach July 17-23. The San Francisco group includes 17 drum and bugle corpsmen from Troop 58.
- Honolulu 442nd Reunion Athletic Events Lined Up, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A full athletic program has been arranged for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team reunion in Honolulu, including golf, softball, and bowling tournaments. Events are scheduled for July 23-24.
- Go for Broke Tommy Discharged, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Cpl. Henry H. Nakamura, who played Tommy in the film Go for Broke!, was discharged from the Army after serving as an interpreter in Korea and Japan. He starred in Forever My Love while in Korea.
Sports
- In Praise of Sports, by P.C. Staff, page 6. An editorial-style piece praises sports as a way to build friendships and cooperation among Japanese Americans. It notes the difficulty Nisei have had working together compared to other ethnic communities.
- Bloomer Girls Lose Five Straight to Bluebirds, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Wilson-Jones Bloomer Girls, with Nancy Ito at shortstop, lost five straight games to the league-leading Bluebirds. Nancy hit her fourth homer of the season in one game.
- 20 & 5 Avenge Defeat of Chicago Enterprisers in Golf Duel, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 20 & 5 team avenged last year’s loss by defeating the Enterprisers in the annual Chicago golf match. Roy Morimoto took both low gross and low net honors.
- Bowling Tourney Plans Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The third annual Pacific Coast Nisei Bowling Tournament will be held in Los Angeles on August 15-16 with prize money estimated at $1,500. The Nisei Week women’s handicap event is also planned.
Obituaries
- Newsletter: Weddings, Births, and Deaths Notices, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This vital statistics column lists births, engagements, weddings, and deaths within the Japanese American community for the period. It includes notices from across the western United States and Chicago.
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