The 1954 holiday issue: the Issei vote and the Anti-Discrimination Committee

Vol. 39, No. 25, December 17, 1954. 72 pages. View this issue

The Issei right to vote was the subject of this 72-page holiday issue. The front-page editorial called it the best story of the last fifty years, and chapter reports from across the country told how Issei took citizenship classes and honored new citizens. Bill Hosokawa wrote that it took guts for the Issei to stay in this country, Larry Tajiri and Frank F. Chuman looked back at the wartime forced removal, and the Washington Office printed the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee’s final report on its 1946 to 1952 work.

Also inside: Sam Ishikawa on anti-American feeling in Japan, a piece on the MGM film Go For Broke and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 1000 Club honor roll, and a Placer County baseball championship. About 53 of its pages carry holiday greetings, with chapter pages from Pasadena, East Los Angeles and Downtown Los Angeles among them.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Best Story in 50 Years: The Issei Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Citizen calls the Issei’s right to vote the best story of the last fifty years, honoring their pioneering contributions despite wartime evacuation. The editorial notes the Issei’s belated entry into American political life and their likely example to the Nisei.
• Christmas, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editors reflect on the secularization of Christmas while noting that its American aspect promotes human brotherhood. They extend holiday blessings to readers as the issue goes to press.
• It Took Guts for the Issei to Stay in This Country, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa reflects on how Nisei once judged their Issei parents harshly, then came to recognize courage, perseverance, industry, and love in their sacrifices. He concludes that Nisei today cannot give too much credit to the Issei.
• More Logical FDR Had Selective Evacuation in Mind, by Larry Tajiri, page 6. Tajiri reviews a new book blaming FDR and War Department leaders for mass evacuation and argues that Gen. DeWitt’s unfounded fears drove the decision. He concludes the evacuation was a betrayal that must not become a precedent for other minorities.
• Dr. Deutsch’s Address to the Berkeley JACL, by Dr. Monroe E. Deutsch, page 6. Dr. Deutsch congratulates the newly naturalized Issei and welcomes the expansion of citizenship and school rights. He urges Japan’s economic recovery, peace, and the right of all citizens to housing and employment regardless of ancestry.
• Can’t Find 100% Anti-American in Japan, by Sam Ishikawa, page 12. Ishikawa argues that Japan’s anti-American sentiment is more of a fashionable stance than deep conviction, and that Japanese generally value the US relationship. He examines Japan’s spiritual vacuum, the uncertain growth of democracy, and the roles of women, students, and unions.
• Japan Overdoing Good Thing, by Sam Ishikawa, page 12. Ishikawa warns that Japan’s eagerness to Westernize has produced a spiritual vacuum and muddled democratic ideals. He argues that Japan must reconcile its traditions with democracy to form a lasting creed.
• The Study of English in Japan, by P. M. Suski, page 16. Dr. Suski argues that English is taught poorly in Japanese schools through katakana, which obscures pronunciation and syllables. He contends the nation wastes enormous resources on a dead form of the language and should study English abroad.
• Season’s Greetings Notes from Editor, by Tats Kushida, page 28. The advertising and staff note thanks the many advertisers and JACL solicitors whose support made the Holiday Issue possible. It affirms that the proceeds benefit the JACL, a non-profit organization.
• Tokyo Topics: First Japanese Landed in California in 1610, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 37. Murayama recounts the 1610 Japanese mission that reached Mendocino, the Vizcaino embassy, and the Hasekura embassy to Rome. He suggests the anniversary could revive the romance of early California-Japan relations.
• Naturalization: Honolulu Naturalization Ceremony, by Seiko Ogai, page 72. Ogai describes the mass naturalization ceremonies in Honolulu, including the 1,000-plus Issei and others naturalized on Veterans Day 1954. The article notes the classes, court procedures, and the emotional experience of new citizens.

JACL

• About This Special Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editors explain the choice to devote the issue to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee’s final report and to honor the Salt River Valley Arizona community. They thank contributors and staff who met a tight production deadline.
• Salt Lake City JACL Greetings, by P.C. Staff, page 56. The Salt Lake City section lists chapter officers and member greetings. It reflects the chapter’s junior and senior membership.
• 1000 Club Aims: Another 1000 Members by 56, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 63. Wakamatsu, the 1000 Club chairman, reports that membership has tripled in two years and sets a goal of 2,000 members by the next convention. He credits the members’ sense of responsibility for the club’s success.

Community

• Honolulu Newsletter: Nisei at the Crossroads, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 5. Nakatsuka argues that Hawaii’s Nisei have been held back by a minority complex, though their population and electoral gains now give them real influence. He urges them to act as citizens of Hawaii first rather than as a racial bloc.
• Monterey Peninsula Chapter Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 13. The Monterey Peninsula section consists of holiday greetings from local businesses and members. It acknowledges chapter support in the community.
• Pasadena Spotlight: Six Outstanding Events in 1954, by Flo Wada, page 15. The Pasadena JACL recounts its 1954 year, including a successful community picnic for the pre-convention rally and an Issei recognition dinner. Wada highlights the leadership of Tom Ito and the chapter’s civic events.
• Ben Kuroki Story and Honolulu Scene, by P.C. Staff, page 16. Brief community news items round out the issue’s chapter reports. The section describes chapter events across the country.
• East Los Angeles Chapter Report, by Jim Higashi, page 18. The East Los Angeles JACL describes a busy year with membership drives, naturalization help, dance classes, and the chapter’s role at the national convention. Wilbur Sato’s footnote stresses democratic participation and esprit de corps.
• Sequoia Issues Paper to Keep Up Interests, by John Enomoto, page 23. The Sequoia JACL recounts a year of activities including a mimeographed newsletter, naturalization help, and youth programs. The chapter’s varied calendar kept members engaged throughout the year.
• Placer County Report, by Roy Yoshida, page 36. Yoshida profiles the Placer County JACL’s Issei Naturalization committee, which organized classes and helped over 120 Issei become citizens. He credits its chairman Kay Takemoto and other volunteers for the success.
• San Francisco JACL Report, by Alice Shigezumi, page 38. The San Francisco JACL outlines its 1954 events, including an honorary Issei banquet, voter orientation, and a Women’s Auxiliary. The chapter also sponsored plays and developed a Nisei-Issei orientation program.
• Gilroy, Youngest Chapter, Ends First Year, by Kimiko Okawa, page 41. The Gilroy JACL, formed in February 1954, reports on its first year of activities including installation, a community honor for Issei citizens, and a Thanksgiving dance. The chapter’s first president was Hiro Kunimura.
• Chapter Aids Issei Voting, by Don Duncan, page 41. The Puyallup Valley JACL helped Issei citizens prepare to vote in the 1954 general election, featuring the Mizukami and Sakahara families. The article describes their pride at finally exercising the franchise after decades of exclusion.
• Fowler Zooms to High Point as P.R. Gains, by Thomas Toyama, page 41. The Fowler JACL reports public relations gains including a blue ribbon at the fair and assistance with alien address forms and citizenship classes. It describes its growing community presence.
• Watsonville JACL Honors Issei Citizens, by Bill Fukuba, page 46. The Watsonville JACL held a dinner honoring 25 Issei who received citizenship papers, with political candidates and JACL speakers in attendance. The chapter sponsored a citizenship class that year.
• Richmond-El Cerrito Busy Through 1954, by Jim Kimoto, page 47. The Richmond-El Cerrito chapter reports a busy year with home-buying meetings, an Issei recognition night, a picnic, and a Halloween party. It also reports attending the national convention and a membership drive.
• Idaho Falls JACL Cabinet Highlights, by Mits George Kaneko, page 48. The Idaho Falls chapter summarizes its year, including a New Year’s party, the midwinter carnival, naturalization classes, and summer picnics. The article ends with the November cabinet installation.
• Oakland Chapter Holiday Greetings and News, by P.C. Staff, page 50. Oakland’s chapter section consists largely of holiday greetings and brief business notices. It reflects the chapter’s community presence.
• Denver Area JACL Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 61. Denver’s chapter greetings list members and businesses in the Mile Hi area. It reflects the chapter’s active social and business community.
• 1954 Honor Roll: 1000 Club, by P.C. Staff, page 62. The 1000 Club honor roll lists members by district and years of membership, with a photo of founders George Inagaki and Hito Okada. It affirms the club’s role as the major source of National JACL financial support.
• Downtown Los Angeles Chapter Report, by P.C. Staff, page 62. The Downtown Los Angeles chapter celebrates its successful 1954, with 114 1000 Club members and many convention committee roles. It also highlights its luncheon programs and speakers.
• Detroit Chapter Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 63. Detroit’s section consists mainly of holiday greetings and member listings. It notes local businesses supporting the chapter.
• Parlier and Sanger Chapter Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 67. The Parlier and Sanger section lists holiday greetings and local business supporters. It highlights the chapter’s community ties in the Central Valley.
• Salinas Valley JACL Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 69. The Salinas Valley section lists holiday greetings from local businesses. It shows the chapter’s regional business support.
• Pioneers Revisiting Old Country with American Passports, by P.C. Staff, page 71. Reprinted from the Box Elder Journal, this story describes Mr. and Mrs. R. Aoki’s trip to Japan after decades in Utah. It highlights their journey as naturalized citizens revisiting their homeland.

Military & Veterans

• Ben Kuroki Story, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The article recounts Ben Kuroki’s wartime air service and his speech before the Commonwealth Club of California, which drew an enthusiastic audience. It describes the speech as a turning point in American attitudes toward Japanese Americans.
• Japanese Parts of JACL Series Gallup, by S. Ruth Hashimoto, page 52. The Albuquerque JACL reports on its year, including the Nisei of the Biennium award to Hershey Miyamura and an Issei recognition banquet. Hashimoto highlights the chapter’s cabinet work and naturalization activities.
• Go For Broke Film Promotes Nisei Story, by P.C. Staff, page 68. The article describes the MGM film Go For Broke about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the JACL’s role as technical consultant. It says the film did more than any other work to build sympathy for Japanese Americans.

Arts & Entertainment

• Old Friend, Jimmy, by P.C. Staff, page 11. A Seattle Post-Intelligencer column about two ancient Shinto shrine figures at St. Vincent de Paul leads to a tribute to Jimmy Sakamoto, former JACL president. The article is a brief reprint highlighting Sakamoto’s prewar and postwar work.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Tropical Fish Fancier, by Henry Mori, page 17. Mori writes about his family’s hobby of keeping tropical fish, describing the costs, equipment, and enjoyment of aquarium keeping. He notes the growing national popularity of the hobby since the war.

Incarceration & Redress

• Two Years of Naturalization, by Seiko Ogai, page 16. Ogai reports on two years of naturalization after the McCarran-Walter Act, noting the surge of Issei applications in Hawaii. She describes classes, examinations, and the first papers system.
• Court Sanction of Evacuation Still Like a Loaded Weapon, by Frank F. Chuman, page 35. Chuman reviews the book Prejudice, War and the Constitution, which found that racial bigotry rather than military necessity drove the evacuation. He argues the Supreme Court’s wartime rulings still threaten civil liberties and that a new test case may be warranted.
• Final A.D.C. Report: 1946-1952, by Washington Office, page 53. This final report summarizes the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee’s six years of legislative, judicial, and public relations work. It covers the McCarran-Walter naturalization victory, evacuation claims, court cases striking down alien land laws, and the eventual closing of the committee.

Sports

• Placer JACL Nine Cops California Nisei Crown, by Homer Takahashi, page 58. The Placer JACL baseball team won the state Nisei championship at Lodi over Fresno, Lodi, and San Jose. Takahashi lists batting and pitching statistics and notes the team’s strong season.

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