Visas for Japanese refugees and a Nisei hero’s welcome home

Vol. 37, No. 11, September 11, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Japanese refugees and the new Refugee Relief Act led the news. Mike Masaoka, the Washington JACL representative, urged relatives, friends and prospective employers in the U.S. to tell qualifying refugees to register at U.S. consulates in Japan right away. The front page also followed Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura, the Nisei Medal of Honor winner, welcomed home to Gallup, New Mexico, by a crowd of over 5,000. Haruo Ishimaru described his reception in San Francisco. Elsewhere, the Midwest District Council convention in Minneapolis elected Harry Takagi chairman, and the JACL narrowed its Nisei of the Biennium award to one category.

Other pages cover a Hollywood testimonial for attorney Loren Miller, citizenship and English classes for Issei in Santa Barbara and Hayward, and sports, including Tommy Kono’s weightlifting exhibition in Denmark and the Lodi baseball tournament. Columns by Tamotsu Murayama, Tats Kushida and Harry K. Honda appear, along with an editorial asking whether JACL needs new blood.

What’s in this issue

National

• Japanese Refugees Urged to Apply Immediately for Visas to U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka urged relatives, friends, and prospective employers to inform qualifying Japanese refugees to register at U.S. consulates in Japan under the new Refugee Relief Act. He noted that visas are limited to 3,000 and that processing would take several months.
• Stowaways Still Big Talk in Hawaii, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. Two young Japanese men who swam ten miles to reach Hawaii after jumping ship remain the talk of Honolulu. Immigration officials say they may have to return to Japan to reapply legally, despite offers of sponsorship.

JACL

• Use of Biennium Award Reduced to Single Category, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Recognitions Committee will consider only distinguished community leadership when choosing a Nisei of the Biennium, as announced at the MDC convention. Nominees will be judged by a panel of Nisei and non-Nisei judges, with the award to be announced at the 1954 National Convention in Los Angeles.
• Midwest District Convention Attracts 150 Delegates; Harry Takagi of Minneapolis Elected Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The MDC biennial convention in Minneapolis elected Attorney Harry Takagi as chairman and approved a 1954 budget of $9,417. Delegates discussed JACL program goals, the 1000 Club, and chapter fundraising.

Community

• University of Oregon Gets Horyuji Temple Murals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Colleges and universities of Japan presented photographic reproductions of the Horyuji Temple murals to the University of Oregon as appreciation for American academic assistance. The gift was made through the Japanese University Accreditation Association.
• Seattle Plans ‘I Am an American Day’ Fete Sept. 17, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle JACL is holding an ‘I Am an American Day’ banquet on September 17 honoring some 150 naturalized Issei. The event features speakers including Senator Warren Magnuson and Governor Arthur Langlie.
• Santa Barbara CLers Start Citizenship Class, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Santa Barbara JACL chapter is sponsoring a citizenship class for more than 60 prospective Issei citizens beginning September 22. Instruction will be led by WWII veteran Frank Mori, with examinations expected the following February.
• Ex-Members of Three Proscribed Groups File Protest with Attorney General, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former officers of three prewar Japanese groups listed by the U.S. Attorney General filed affidavits protesting their inclusion, noting the groups have been defunct over ten years. The JACL says the list continues to unfairly discriminate against Japanese Americans.
• Kinsey’s Report on Sexual Behavior of Female Found Detrimental to Current Japanese-American Understanding, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama argues Kinsey’s report has spread the belief in Japan that American women are sexually promiscuous, damaging efforts to improve Japanese-American relations. He faults Kinsey for releasing the findings at a sensitive time.
• Southlanders in Grand Testimonial to Attorney Loren Miller of Civil Rights Fame, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Attorney Loren Miller, NAACP legal counsel known for winning the Masaoka alien land law case, was honored at a testimonial banquet in Hollywood attended by nearly 500 people. Also honored was social worker Arthur L. Bolton, who retired after years serving Japanese American public assistance clients.
• Chicago CL Prepares for Gala Oct. 24-25 Carnival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL is organizing a large carnival on October 24-25 as a fundraising event for the chapter. Committees have been appointed for the planned booths and activities.
• English Night Class for Hayward Issei Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eden Township JACL chapter will hold an English class for Issei beginning September 15 at San Lorenzo High School. The Tuesday-Thursday evening classes are conducted in cooperation with the Hayward Adult and Technical School.

Military & Veterans

• Parents Remember Son’s Birthday in $3,000 Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The parents of Elmer Yoshihara, a Nisei soldier killed early in the Korean campaign, donated $3,000 toward a new armory in Shelton, Washington. The gift was made on what would have been his 31st birthday.
• Hero’s Welcome Greets Medal of Honor Winner at Dockside, Home in Gallup, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura, Nisei Congressional Medal of Honor winner, was welcomed home to Gallup, New Mexico, by a crowd estimated at over 5,000. He had been released from Communist captivity and was honored with a day proclaimed in his name.
• Nisei PWs Being Flown Back to Homes in States, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei former prisoners of war, including Ray Hikida and Pfc. George Sakasegawa, are returning to the United States after release by North Korea. Sakasegawa, wounded by shrapnel, was transferred to Letterman General Hospital.
• Wyoming Nisei Promoted to Lt. Col. in Army Engineers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Frank M. Ikuno, a Wyoming-born Nisei and registered professional engineer, was elevated to lieutenant-colonel in the Corps of Engineers at Fitzsimons Army Hospital. He previously served with U.S. Military Government in Korea after World War II.
• Scene from Golden Gate: Return of a Hero, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Haruo Ishimaru describes the San Francisco welcome for Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura, including a dinner at the Marines Memorial Club with veterans groups presenting honors. He recounts the logistical challenges and the sergeant’s modest response.

Commentary

• Aiko Saita Returns Home, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Vancouver-born soprano Aiko Saita, once advised by Fujiwara to abandon dentistry for music, became a noted Nisei opera singer in Italy and Japan. She is now returning to Japan for concerts and opera appearances.
• Testimonials, by Tats Kushida, page 6. The writer praises the recent testimonial banquets honoring Loren Miller and Arthur Bolton and calls for more recognition of Nisei achievements, including Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura. Recognition is often given too late, the writer argues.
• Is JACL Getting Stale? Does JACL Need a Transfusion of New Blood?, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial argues that JACL leadership should be drawn from long-time members with proven service rather than newcomers. It notes that most current chapter presidents are recent arrivals to the organization.
• Big Business in Hate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial reviews the Anti-Defamation League report ‘The Troublemakers,’ which exposes organized racial and religious hatred in the United States. It warns that no minority is safe while discrimination flourishes and urges Nisei to support civil rights for all groups.
• Animals, Kinsey, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry K. Honda uses lighthearted anecdotes about animals to make a point about human superiority in thought and culture. He then criticizes Kinsey’s report for unscientific promotion and questionable publicity tactics.

Sports

• Sacramento Valley All-Stars Win Lodi Baseball Tournament Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sacramento Valley All-Stars won the first California state Nisei baseball tournament by defeating the Los Angeles Nisei Trading team 9-5 in Lodi. Yosh Hirano was named most valuable player.
• Kono Wins Exhibition Weightlift in Denmark, by P.C. Staff, page 6. World middleweight weightlifting champion Tommy Kono of Sacramento defeated Pete George and Jens Mortensen in an exhibition in Denmark, lifting a total of 869 pounds.
• Milwaukee Golfer Fires 73 to Win MDC Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Henry Hashimoto of Milwaukee won the best golfer honors at the MDC tournament held at Francis A. Gross golf course with a 73 gross score. Dr. George Nishida and Frank Yanari also took top places in their flights.
• Fishing Only a Year, Wins $350, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mrs. Rita Shiota, an Italian war bride who had fished only a year, won the Seattle Milk Fund salmon derby with a 24 lb. king salmon. She received $350 in prize money.
• State Nisei Golf Tournament Set for Pebble Beach, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The third annual California Nisei championship golf tournament will be held October 17-18 at Pebble Beach, sponsored by the Garden City Golf Club of San Jose. Defending champion John Naito is among the entrants.

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