Vol. 37, No. 26, December 25, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Citizenship ran through this eight-page Christmas week issue. Every alien in the United States, Issei included, had to report an address in person at a post office during January 1954, and the paper explained how. Courts in Seattle and Honolulu restored the citizenship of Nisei who had been conscripted into the Japanese Army or had voted in a Japanese election. Mike Masaoka reviewed the first year of the McCarran-Walter Act, and an editorial praised the record number of Issei naturalized. JACL’s 1953 membership was reported at 10,600 regular members.
The holiday spirit appears too. Bill Hesokawa and Harry K. Honda wrote about Christmas, and Henry Mori reported on the Los Angeles Christmas Cheer program. Larry Tajiri covered Broadway, George Yoshinaga wrote about Nisei Athletic Union basketball, and Haruo Ishimaru surveyed Northern California chapters.
What’s in this issue
National
- Issei alien must return Address Report Form I-53 to P.O. in person, by P.C. Staff, page 1. All aliens in the United States must report their address to a post office during January 1954 using Form I-53. The form must be returned in person by the alien, and failure to comply may result in deportation and penalties.
- CL membership in slight decrease, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL membership for 1953 reached 10,600 regular members and 597 special members, a slight decline. The report was announced by National JACL director Masao W. Satow.
- Judge restores citizenship to Nisei conscripted into Japanese Army, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge William J. Lindberg of Seattle Federal Court ruled that Sadao Suetsugu, a Nisei conscripted into the Japanese Army, did not lose American citizenship. The court held his response to the draft call was under legal duress and therefore involuntary.
- Honolulu woman and three men regain citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Jon Wiig ruled that three men and a woman who had voted in a Japanese election regained their American citizenship. The court found their Japanese Army service and voting were involuntary.
- Utah senator sees no immediate change in Immigration statute, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Arthur V. Watkins said no early major revision of the McCarran-Walter Immigration Act is needed and that amendments would be unwise. He added that a majority of Congress opposed changes until the Act’s operation established the need.
Community
- Active D.C. community Issei leader becomes citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Barry M. Tsuda was naturalized in Washington, D.C. after a six-month course, and he described the feeling of becoming a citizen as overwhelming. He has been active in JACL anti-discrimination fund drives.
- New citizens sworn in at San Francisco and other Northern California courts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A total of 289 Issei from Northern California were sworn in as citizens on Dec. 9 before federal judges in San Francisco. Groups also came from San Mateo, Stockton, San Jose and East Bay cities.
- Ambassador Eikichi Araki on way home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ambassador Eikichi Araki prepared to depart Washington for Tokyo after 18 months of service. He was leaving the post.
- Visiting Fresno congressman views economic problems of postwar Japan, by Oakley Hunter, page 5. Congressman Oakley Hunter describes his visit to Tokyo and reviews Japan’s agriculture, trade barriers and farm controls. He concludes that Japan’s long-range economic problems have no easy solution.
- Christmas Cheer program raises record donations, by Henry Mori, page 7. The Los Angeles Christmas Cheer Committee distributed gift packages and reported a record $1,829.25 in donations. Volunteers from several JACL chapters and clubs helped deliver them to 289 needy families.
- El Camino JC site of third CINO statewide convention, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The third annual CINO statewide convention will be held Dec. 27-28 at El Camino Junior College in Gardena with about 250 Nisei collegians expected. Planned events include a queen contest, a convention dance, and basketball tournaments.
Incarceration & Redress
- Historical documentation of 33,000 Nisei in World War II prepared by Selective Service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Selective Service System released Special Groups Monograph No. 10 documenting Japanese American draft classification and service in World War II. The report credits the JACL as the only organization that protested discrimination against Nisei draft classifications.
Commentary
- First anniversary of the McCarran-Walter Act, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reviews the first year of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, citing naturalization of more than 2,000 Japanese and family reunifications. He concludes the law has brought concrete improvements for persons of Japanese ancestry.
- Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Harry K. Honda reflects on the commercialization of Christmas and praises the Los Angeles Christmas Cheer program for aiding needy Japanese families. He hopes the need for such programs will one day disappear.
- Our Christmas Institution, by Bill Hesokawa, page 4. Bill Hesokawa reflects on the commercial pressures of the Christmas season and the lingering warmth of greeting cards and holiday lights. He concludes that the spirit of peace and goodwill remains worthwhile.
- Uniquely American, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises the record naturalization of Issei following the McCarran-Walter Act and calls the public’s acceptance of Japanese Americans uniquely American. It argues that judging individuals by deeds rather than ancestry is central to the American identity.
Arts & Entertainment
- Catching up on Broadway, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Larry Tajiri reports on legal disputes over the film and stage rights to James Michener’s Sayonara and notes Japanese American performers on Broadway. He highlights Dorothy Maruki’s dramatic role in the television drama Dry Run.
In-Depth
- Scene from Golden Gate, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Haruo Ishimaru reviews the 1953 year in Northern California JACL chapters and lists their presidents and outgoing district officers. He credits KKD and chapter efforts in Issei naturalization.
Sports
- North-South NAU eligibility squabble, by George Yoshinaga, page 6. George Yoshinaga reports on a dispute between Northern and Southern California Nisei Athletic Union leagues over using non-Nisei players in the state basketball series. The San Jose Zebras demanded the right to sign non-Nisei players, and the league planned a vote.
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