Gate of Hell and the push on evacuation claims

Vol. 40, No. 11, March 18, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Japanese films winning prizes abroad opened this eight-page issue. Larry Tajiri wrote in his Vagaries column about Gate of Hell, Seven Samurai and Sansho, and how their success led American distributors to look for more Japanese pictures. The front page also reported that the Hillings bill to amend evacuation claims legislation was referred to a House Judiciary subcommittee, with a report by Mike Masaoka, and that Southern California claimants planned neighborhood meetings in support of new legislation.

Other pages followed the JACL. Masao W. Satow reported on early 1955 membership, Haruo Ishimaru covered two California bills, and Mike Masaoka previewed the joint EDC-MDC convention in Washington. Bill Hosokawa reviewed the film Bad Day at Black Rock, and the sports pages covered Yoshi Oyakawa and Ford Konno in Big Ten swimming. The front page also announced that the Northwest Times would suspend publication on March 30.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Prize-Winning Nippon Films, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Japanese films such as Gate of Hell, Seven Samurai, and Sansho have won international prizes and are finding American audiences. Their success has prompted US distributors to seek more Japanese pictures.

National

• Hillings Claims Amendment Bill Referred to Lane Subcommittee, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. The Hillings bill to amend evacuation claims legislation was referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Claims. Chairman Lane requested the Justice Department’s views, a process that may take a long time.
• Far East Asst. Sec’y of State to Address EDC-MDC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. William J. Sebald, deputy assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, will speak at the joint EDC-MDC convention luncheon in Washington. His background in Japan makes him a well-suited speaker on Japanese American relations.
• Congressional Slowdown, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The 84th Congress had enacted only two measures of significance more than two months into its session. The column argues Democrats must accelerate their legislative work to succeed in the 1956 elections.
• Chinese Aliens Being Checked, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The FBI is reportedly watching Chinese aliens in the United States for possible sabotage or espionage should war break out over Formosa. Nisei hope lessons from wartime internment will prevent mistreatment of Chinese Americans.

Community

• Northwest Times Calls It ’30’ With Mar. 30 Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northwest Times, the only all-English Nisei vernacular in the Pacific Northwest, will suspend publication March 30. The semi-weekly cited the declining need for a newspaper devoted exclusively to Japanese Americans and the personal sacrifice involved as reasons.
• Southland Claimants to Support New Committee Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Committee on Japanese American Evacuation Claims has scheduled neighborhood meetings across Southern California in March and April. Chairman George Inagaki seeks support for legislation to expedite evacuation claims payments.
• Hint Grudge Angle in Shooting of Oakland Grocer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Grocer Henry Ukai was shot and critically wounded in his Oakland store, and police are investigating whether a grudge motivated the attack rather than a robbery. No money appeared to have been taken.
• Support of Onion Sale Curb Urged by Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joe Saito urged onion growers to contact their congressmen in support of a bill to regulate onion market trading. The bill would move onion trading under the Commodity Exchange Commission.
• Colorado Issei Called to Federal Jury Duty, by P.C. Staff, page 1. John T. Horie, a Brighton community leader and recently naturalized Issei, was called for federal jury duty in Colorado. He is believed to be the first naturalized Issei summoned for federal jury service.
• Ambassador Iguchi Accepts Invitation to Speak at EDC-MDC Conference Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ambassador Sadao Iguchi of Japan accepted an invitation to speak at the joint EDC-MDC convention banquet in Washington. The convention program also includes business sessions, a luncheon, and a Capitol Hill sightseeing day.
• Issei, Roomer Admits Starting Fire, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A fire at the Lind Hotel in Portland killed five people, including Issei hotel operator George Nunotani. A roomer later admitted he started the fire by smoking in bed and attempting to extinguish it himself.
• Expect 800 Delegates at WYBL Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The three-day Western Young Buddhist League conference in San Francisco is expected to draw about 800 delegates from 44 chapters. The event includes a board meeting, a queen contest, and a banquet.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry Honda, page 4. Harry Honda argues that juvenile delinquency is rooted in weak family support and compares the US unfavorably with Canada’s family allowance program. He calls for larger tax exemptions for children to strengthen families.
• Chicago Corner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL held a March meeting featuring photographer Harry Shigeta and announced an upcoming April program. Several chapter members and community events were also noted.
• Scene from the Golden Gate, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Two JACL legislative objectives advanced in California, with committee approval of a bill granting old-age assistance to Issei unable to naturalize and a bill to remove the alien land law from the state constitution. The column also outlines the proposed Fair Employment Practices law and urges chapters to support it.
• Sonoma County JACL Tops 200 Mark for Record Enrollment, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL chapter set a new membership record of 207 members. Chapter leaders and volunteers were credited with the successful campaign.
• Coachella Valley Chapter, by Tats Kushida, page 6. The Coachella Valley JACL chapter, which has 100 percent membership, is recognized for Nisei leadership in local civic affairs. The column profiles several past presidents and active members in community organizations.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. A construction contract was awarded for a new Shonien children’s center in Los Angeles, marking the first modern facility of its kind built by Japanese Americans in Southern California. The board still needs to raise about $45,000 to complete and equip the building.
• Mile-Hi Bridge Club Sessions at Yasui’s, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Mile-Hi JACL Bridge Club will hold its next two sessions at the Min Yasui residence. A club tournament is also scheduled for mid-April.
• Hana Matsuri Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Southland Buddhists will observe Hana Matsuri, celebrating the birth of Buddha, with a ball and morning services. Ben Jinkawa, president of the Los Angeles Buddhist Coordinating Council, announced the event.

Commentary

• Love of Country, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Japan’s Ministry of Education has introduced a new manual stressing patriotism, which has drawn criticism from leftists fearing a return to prewar fanaticism. The author argues that postwar Japan has lost respect for traditional values and that such education is needed.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa reviews the film Bad Day at Black Rock and praises Spencer Tracy’s performance and its depiction of prejudice. He also recounts a visit with Clark Garman, a former educator and missionary who helped Japanese Americans in Colorado.
• Washington Newsletter: EDC-MDC Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. The joint EDC-MDC convention in Washington marks the first cooperative biennial convention between two JACL district councils. The newsletter outlines the program, guest speakers, and post-convention activities.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Engineer Named to Nuclear Science School in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George H. Nakamura, a Convair mechanical engineer, began a special seven-month nuclear science course at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. He is one of forty-two students selected for the new program.
• Washington-Born Nisei Wins Citizenship Case, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Federal Judge William M. Byrne ruled that Edward S. Sori did not lose his US citizenship despite taking an examination for a Japanese Army reserve officer post during World War II. The court found the service was under duress and coercion.
• Buddhist Prayers Offered First Time in T.H. Legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Buddhist priests were invited to give opening prayers at Territorial House sessions in Hawaii for ten days. Majority leader Daniel K. Inouye said the rotation demonstrates religious tolerance and democratic values.

Arts & Entertainment

• Japan and Korea Movie Premiere, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A west coast premiere of Nipponcolor travelogue Japan and Korea will be held at the Wilshire Ebell Theater with Col. Homer Kellems presenting. Hollywood personalities and consular officials are scheduled as guests of honor.

JACL

• The National Director Reports, by Masao W. Satow, page 4. JACL reported strong early membership sign-ups for 1955, with several chapters already surpassing 1954 totals. The report also covers chapter clinics, convention planning, and the claims program.
• Membership Climbs to 500 Mark, Seeks 750, by Sumi Honnami, page 5. San Francisco JACL’s 1955 membership drive has passed 500 members and continues toward a goal of 750. The chapter’s vice-president in charge of the campaign reported the total.

Sports

• Oyakawa, Konno Shatter Big Ten Swimming Records, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Yoshi Oyakawa and Ford Konno set new Big Ten records as Ohio State won its seventh straight conference swimming title. Oyakawa broke records in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke, and Konno won the 440-yard freestyle.
• Kajikawa Named Border Conference Basketball Coach of the Year, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Arizona State coach Bill Kajikawa was named Border Conference coach of the year after leading a comeback from an early slump to finish third. The honor came despite repeated injuries and military losses to his roster.
• Draft Nisei to Be Coxswain, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Carl Ogawa, a 5-foot-6 University of British Columbia student, was selected as coxswain for the UBC crew heading to the Henley Regatta. He had no athletic experience before being recruited by the team manager.
• East Bay Nisei Bowlers Win 1957 National Tournament Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The East Bay Nisei Bowling Association and Berkeley JACL were awarded the 1957 National JACL Bowling Tournament. Captains also voted on rule changes including three-day tournament scheduling and revised voting rules.
• Placer JACL Tiny Begins Practice, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Placer JACL softball club began practice in preparation for the upcoming season. The team returns much of its championship roster, with two players expected back from military service in May.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.