Issei naturalization and the 5-F case, April 1954

Vol. 38, No. 17, April 23, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue

Naturalization for Issei was the main subject of this eight-page issue. The Denver office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service learned that the Harry Matoba 5-F case would not be appealed, which could free some 300 held-up Issei petitions in Colorado. Haruo Imaru described JACL volunteers helping process about 370 Issei in San Francisco, and Min Yasui wrote on the Colorado ACLU’s position in the Matoba case. Seventeen Issei were honored at a banquet in Moses Lake, Wash., and 118 people were admitted to citizenship in Fresno.

Elsewhere, Edison T. Uno reported the schedule for the 13th Biennial National JACL convention in Los Angeles, Sept. 2-6, and Mike Masaoka wrote about the Azuma Kabuki dancers. Smoky Sakurada covered a Chicago testimonial for 125 Nisei Korean War veterans, and Hawaii’s 442nd veterans prepared for a goodwill tour of Europe. Bill Hosokawa and Larry Tajiri contributed columns on page 8.

What’s in this issue

National

• Denver Office to Push 5-F Naturalizations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Denver office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service received confirmation that the central office would not appeal the Harry Matoba 5-F case. Roughly 300 Issei petitions held up by the 5-F question in the Colorado area were being reviewed for early processing.
• 5-F Decision Still Holds Up Denver Naturalizations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Denver naturalized 148 new citizens including 32 Issei, but Issei men still face delay until official confirmation on the Matoba 5-F case is received. The appeal deadline was May 2 and the Attorney General had indicated no appeal would be made.
• Japan Teetering Toward Communism, Envoy Feels, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Philippine envoy Carlos P. Romulo gave a television interview assessing communist advances across Asia and expressing concern about Japan. He named the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan as the bright spots.
• To Ease Double Tax in Both Countries, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan and the United States signed an agreement in Washington to eliminate double taxation of Americans and Japanese doing business across the Pacific. Americans in Japan would receive credit for taxes already paid to the United States.
• Japanese Consulate Tragic Note from Tamotsu Murayama, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Tamotsu Murayama reports on his mission as chief deputy to a Japanese Boy Scout delegation to the Philippines and reflects on Nisei who lost American citizenship during the war by expatriating. He describes the choices faced by Nisei drafted or detained in Japan and his view that Nisei can help US-Japan relations.
• Premier Yoshida’s U.S. Tour Delayed Again, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Premier Shigeru Yoshida’s round-the-world trip may be delayed until June, according to chief cabinet secretary Kenji Fukunaga. The trip was originally scheduled to begin May 20.

Community

• Columbia Basin CL Honors 17 Citizens-to-Be, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seventeen Issei were honored at a banquet in Moses Lake, Wash., for completing a 10-week course in Americanism. Certificates were presented by the high school and the newly formed Columbia Basin JACL chapter.
• Longtime French Camp Couple Celebrates Golden Wedding Jubilee Despite Earlier Misfortunes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mr. and Mrs. Yasutaro Itaya celebrated their golden wedding anniversary after surviving floods, evacuation, and economic depression. Their journey from field hand to respected truck farmer in French Camp is recounted along with their family’s celebration.
• 25,000 Japanese Head for Amazon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan and Brazil are cooperating to develop agricultural colonies in Brazil’s Amazonian territory, with hopes to settle 5,000 Japanese families. Settlers grow jute, black pepper, cocoa, rice and other crops.
• Cathay Post Commander Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Babe Tateoka, a mail carrier in Denver’s Japanese residential area, was elected commander of the American Legion Cathay Post No. 185. The election was held last week.
• Jean Kaita Resigns as Midwest Regional JACL Secretary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jean Kaita submitted her resignation as Midwest Regional JACL office secretary effective Apr. 15, according to the Chicago JACLer. A local committee is seeking a replacement.
• Two Sisters Reign as Queen, Attendant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shirley May Iwalani Hokama and her sister Patricia Ann were selected as queen and lady-in-waiting for the UH Pan-Pacific Festival from a field of 11 finalists. Both are freshmen at the University of Hawaii.
• Sacramento Nipponmachi Doomed by Capitol Mall Project, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sacramento’s Japanese business district faces relocation under a redevelopment plan called Capitol Mall Project. Attorney Henry Takeuchi opposed the plan, and the Sacramento JACL planned a public meeting to discuss forming an association to protect affected businesses.
• 100 Japanese Families in Richmond Housing Project, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 100 Issei and Nisei families remain in the Richmond housing project, which may be disposed of for new construction. The Senate Banking Committee was asked to approve legislation permitting the sale.
• Coffee Farmers in Comeback, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 3. Kona coffee farmers in Hawaii are benefiting from high worldwide coffee prices after years of setbacks. Expansion of coffee acreage is underway and may help diversify Hawaii’s economy beyond sugar and pineapple.
• Well-known Fresno Issei Among 118 Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fresno-area Issei including Setsugo George Sakamoto were among 118 persons admitted to U.S. citizenship before Judge Arthur C. Shepard. The list of new citizens includes Fowler residents.
• Shirakawa Defeated in Fowler City Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Councilman Tom Shirakawa lost his Fowler city council seat to William Margill. It was the first time a Nisei name appeared on a city government election slate in Central California.
• Japanese Farmer Says Japan Won War, Indicted in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kametoku Tomei, a 64-year-old Hawaiian farmer, was indicted for refusing to file an alien address report, insisting Hawaii is part of Japan. His children expressed embarrassment, and he finally accepted that the war was over after a consulate representative explained.
• Lodi Buddhist Church Building New Edifice, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A $55,000 new Lodi Buddhist Church will replace the existing structure at 23 N. Stockton. The new building will seat 200 with a maximum of 275 and include meeting rooms and a basement for recreation.
• Scene from Golden Gate, by Haruo Imaru, page 5. JACL volunteers helped the Immigration and Naturalization Service process about 370 Issei for citizenship in San Francisco during one week. The author thanks chapter volunteers and INS staff for the successful effort.
• Southwest L.A. Appliance Store in Eighth Year of Expanding Business, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tamura & Co., a Seinan district appliance store founded in Gardena in 1947, has grown under proprietor Katsumi Tamura. The firm now operates multiple locations and employs a staff of 15 full-time workers.
• Mountain Plains Region Meets 1000 Club Quota, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mountain Plains JACL region fulfilled its 50-member 1000 Club quota with the signing of Robert Nakadoi and his wife. Chairman James Imatani invited community-minded Nisei to renew memberships.
• S.F. JACL Olympics Set for Kezar Stadium June 6, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The second annual San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics will be held at Kezar Stadium on June 6. Entry blanks were sent to JACL chapters in three district councils.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. A memorial plaque will commemorate 24 Southland Nisei soldiers killed in the Korean War at Evergreen Cemetery. Henry Mori also reports on a chapter appreciation pin for Sam Furuta and the founding of an all-Nisei Optimist club.

JACL

• Knight of California to Address Clers at National Recognitions Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Gov. Goodwin J. Knight will be the main speaker at the National Recognitions banquet on Sept. 6 during the National JACL convention at the Statler Hotel. It is the first time the state’s highest ranking official has participated in a National JACL convention event.
• Two Schedules Released for National JACL Convention, by Edison T. Uno, page 6. Frank Chuman released the official events schedule for the 13th Biennial National JACL convention in Los Angeles, Sept. 2-6. The article also covers pre-registration instructions and the Pacific Southwest district queen contest.

Military & Veterans

• Air Force Academy Cadets Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congress approved an Air Force Academy with 300 cadets in its first class beginning July 1955, with California allotted 15 spots. Rep. Harlan Hagen invited qualified Nisei in Kern, Kings and Tulare counties to seek nomination through competitive examinations.
• Punchbowl Memorial for WW2 Dead Requested, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Brig. Gen. Thomas North requested before a House subcommittee a World War II memorial in the Punchbowl Military Cemetery in Honolulu. The memorial would honor those who lost their lives in the Pacific region.
• Hawaii’s 442nd Veterans to Invade Europe with Music and Hula Skirts, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Five 442nd veterans and two hula dancers will tour Europe on a six-month goodwill trip, visiting battlefields and entertaining former allies and foes. The group, called the 442nd Goodwill Tour Ambassadors, departs Apr. 25.
• Chicago Nisei Veterans Honored at Community Testimonial, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Over 800 attended a testimonial at the Morrison Hotel honoring 125 Nisei Korean War veterans from Chicago. Certificates were presented by the City of Chicago and tributes were paid to Medal of Honor winner Hershey Miyamura.

In-Depth

• Azuma Kabuki Dancers Win Praise in Washington and New York, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The Azuma Kabuki troupe received enthusiastic reviews in Washington, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Masaoka argues the performances offer Nisei a source of pride in their Japanese cultural heritage.
• Vagaries of Life, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa profiles Sadakichi Hartmann, a Japanese-German immigrant poet and critic, drawing on Gene Fowler’s book Minutes of the Last Meeting. The piece recounts Hartmann’s literary career and his later years as a Hollywood eccentric.

Commentary

• Attention on Our ‘Mailbox’, by Harry Honda, page 2. Harry Honda explains that longer letters to the editor have been published in small type and that letters deserve space regardless of length. He comments on a range of letter topics including politics, communism and the Yalta question.
• Coffee Farmers Returning to Prosperity, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kona coffee growers in Hawaii are recovering from years of low prices. Acreage is being expanded to meet worldwide demand.
• Clarify Misunderstanding, by Min Yasui, page 6. Min Yasui responds to Mas Yonemura’s letter about the ACLU, explaining the Colorado ACLU’s position in the Matoba 5-F case. He argues that the JACL’s national work was important in the Issei cases and that Nisei organizations remain necessary.
• Reward for Loyalty, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises the reunion of Valeriu Georgescue’s sons after Communist Romania released them, following his refusal to spy for the Reds. The editors present this as a sign of the worth of American citizenship.
• Cherry Blossoms, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial recalls the wartime debate over destroying Japanese cherry trees in Washington, D.C., and celebrates their survival as a symbol of renewed US-Japan friendship. It frames the blossoms as hope for peace.
• Who Should Decide, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial criticizes the National Democratic Party chairman for withdrawing support from two California congressional candidates on moral grounds. It argues that voters in those districts should decide who represents them.
• From the Frying Pan: What are Vacations for, But–, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa describes a family trip through New Mexico, visiting Bandelier cliff dwellings and Los Alamos. He reflects on how ancient and modern civilizations relate and on the children’s varied vacation memories.
• The Intelligent Spittoon, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Larry Tajiri profiles Sadakichi Hartmann, a Japanese immigrant poet and critic who achieved notoriety as a Bohemian figure and freeloader. The column draws on Fowler’s book to describe his life and legacy.

Sports

• Sportscope, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Arizona JACL bowlers held their sports awards banquet and Nisei golf results were reported from Southern California. Nisei athletes including Johnny Toya and George Wada posted notable results in local tournaments.

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