Naturalized Issei, alien land law repeal and a housing bias case

Vol. 40, No. 13, April 1, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue

Newly naturalized Issei were a thread through this eight-page issue. Chapters in Hayward and St. Anthony, Idaho, honored new citizens, a Berkeley gardener cleared a 1917 conviction that had blocked his naturalization, and the DAR sought to require English in citizenship exams. In Sacramento, the California Assembly approved bills to repeal the remaining alien land laws. Larry Tajiri’s column took up housing discrimination in light of the San Leandro case of Dr. Satoru Larry Aikawa, and Mike Masaoka wrote from Washington. Bill Hosokawa’s “From the Frying Pan” recognized three Nisei for enterprise.

Elsewhere in the issue, Tamotsu Murayama explained Japan’s constitutional debates over cabinet appointments. Harry Honda told the story of the cherry trees sent between Tokyo and the United States. Humphrey Bogart’s interest in a film role and two Oscars for Jigokumon were reported on page one. The sports page covered a state basketball title won in overtime, NCAA swimming and boxing, and Wally Yonamine’s rough tour of South America.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Recognizing ‘Enterprise’, by Bill Hosokawa, page 1. Bill Hosokawa profiles three Nisei whose enterprise is worth recognizing: Kiichi Saiki, who toured the mainland with his sons via a father-and-son judo and lecture act; Oski Taniguchi, who revived the Mile-Hi JACL Bulletin with a penetrating feature on war brides; and George Kuramoto, who organized a large judo tournament. Hosokawa praises their initiative as a rare quality worth celebrating.
• Overshadowing Question, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial asks whether the United States can avoid war with Red China as Communist China appears determined to conquer Formosa. It argues that yielding further ground would endanger free Asian nations and expresses hope that Mao understands American resolve.
• Tokyo Topics: Ministers of State Must Be ‘Civilian’, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama reports that Hatoyama’s cabinet appointed Arata Sugihara as defense director-general after Kichisaburo Nomura was overruled on constitutional grounds. The column explains the debate over whether a former admiral counts as a civilian under Article 66 and how military-related opposition shaped the cabinet.
• Anotherconstitutional Difficulty, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama discusses Article 89 of Japan’s constitution, which bars public support for religious and certain charitable institutions and has prevented the Boy Scouts from seeking official assistance. He notes the provision’s original intent and its unintended effects on civic movements.
• Cherry Blossoms: Touch of Spring, by Harry Honda, page 4. Honda recounts the cherry blossom season and the story of Yukio Ozaki’s 1912 gift of cherry saplings to the United States, which were returned in kind when grafts from Potomac trees were replanted along Tokyo’s Arakawa River in 1954. He reflects on the cherry’s cultural significance in Japan.
• Dog Gives Police Hard Time, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada reports on Rex, a German shepherd who repeatedly evaded Chicago police at an L station and bus before his owner William Masamitsu reclaimed him. The column also includes brief Chicago community notes on a Nisei pianist’s recital, jury service, and a basketball tournament.
• Southland Issei Go Traveling, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori reports on forty-six newly naturalized Southland Issei who left for a two-week educational tour of Washington, D.C. and other cities, sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. He notes the travel enthusiasm among new citizens.
• Shared by Thousands of Others, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Tajiri argues that housing discrimination against minority Americans remains widespread even though the Supreme Court ruled racially restrictive covenants unenforceable in 1948. He discusses Dr. Satoru Larry Aikawa’s San Leandro case and praises communities and agencies working to end residential bigotry.
• Washington Newsletter: Congressional Record, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka compares the legislative pace of the 84th Congress with earlier sessions and notes that Congress is spending over two million dollars on investigations. He also compares the divided leadership of the Japanese Diet with the U.S. government.

National

• Bogart Interested in ‘Home Again’ Movie Role of Relocation Officer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Author James Edmiston revealed at a JACL meeting that Humphrey Bogart is interested in playing relocation officer Sam Morgan in the film version of Home Again. Film rights have been sold to independent producer Sam Jaffe, with filming expected within six months.
• DAR Group Seeks All Citizenship Exam in English, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington, D.C. district of the Daughters of the American Revolution adopted a resolution urging Congress to require all naturalization examinations be given in English. The DAR seeks repeal of the 1952 Immigration Act waiver that JACL sponsored for elderly Issei, which the Washington JACL office notes will expire automatically once eligible aliens qualify.
• Sen. Magnuson Urges Nisei to Aid in U.S.-Asia Ties, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Warren Magnuson urged JACL to use its knowledge of Pacific peoples to build better international understanding, speaking at an Eastern and Midwest District Council dinner. He praised the League’s postwar record combating prejudice and the wartime record of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
• Alien Land Law Repeal Bill Handed Full Assembly OK, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California State Assembly approved bills to repeal the remaining alien land laws, including AB 842 and AB 841, with the latter placing repeal on the November ballot. Assemblyman Edward Elliott and JACL representative Haruo Ishimaru testified that the law was nullified by federal immigration law and state supreme court decisions.

Community

• Eden Township JACL Defends Hospitality of San Leandro, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eden Township JACL chapter wrote to San Leandro’s mayor defending the city’s hospitality despite a racial incident in which dentist Dr. Larry Aikawa was denied a home after a threatening phone call. The letter urged the mayor to use his office to rectify the situation.
• Samurai Sword Legend Recalled, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A samurai sword used to kill a Tacoma resident, Andrew Stolen, was identified as the blade that killed a Japanese officer on Iwojima, wielded by confessed slayer Harvey Collins, a former Marine. Police officer Russ Skattum, who served with Collins, recalled the legend that a samurai sword must draw blood once unsheathed.
• 1,100 Flock to WYBL Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegates to the 13th annual Western Young Buddhist League conference chose Sacramento as the 1956 host city, with 1,198 registered attendees. Honors included recognition of six Nisei leaders, installation of new officers, and scholarship funds for three Nisei studying Buddhism in Japan.
• San Francisco Adoption Group Endorsed by Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco Committee for the Adoption of Japanese Children received an endorsement from a similar Tokyo group, the American Joint Committee for Assisting Japanese American Orphans. The local group provides information to interested couples but does not arrange specific adoptions.
• Honolulu Newsletter: Beauty Angle in Promotions, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka describes Pan American World Airways hiring its first Nisei stewardesses from Honolulu and previews the third annual Cherry Blossom Festival, including the queen contest and the Takarazuka Revue performances. He notes the airline’s choice reflects good business and community relations.
• Name Claimants $2,500 Payment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The House Appropriations Committee disclosed 44 claimants whose evacuation property loss awards exceed $2,500 in the second Supplemental Deficiency Appropriations bill. The awards arise from JACL-sponsored evacuation claims legislation and now await Senate consideration.
• 38-Year-Old Court Obstacle Dismissed as Berkeley Issei Gardener Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Shinichi Yagi, a 70-year-old Japanese gardener in Berkeley, became eligible for American citizenship after a judge dismissed a 1917 probation-related larceny conviction. Superior Judge Chris B. Fox restored his civil rights, clearing the obstacle to his naturalization.
• Hayward Issei Citizens Honored by JACL Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Eden Township JACL chapter hosted a dinner in Hayward honoring about 100 newly naturalized Issei and pioneer residents. Local officials attended the event held at the Haycock Steak House.
• Yellowstone Chapter Honors Nineteen New Issei Citizens at Annual Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Yellowstone JACL chapter honored nineteen recently naturalized Issei at the St. Anthony, Idaho American Legion Hall. State Representative Steve Meikle urged active citizenship, and chapter president Kiyoshi Sakota took office.
• Downtown L.A. JACL Officer Stanley Uno Speaks on Nisei in Crime, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Los Angeles police officer Stanley Uno addressed the Downtown L.A. JACL chapter about his experiences and more than 100 arrests of Nisei he has handled. Uno also writes case presentations for the Dragnet television show.
• Site Selected for May 15 NC-WNDC Session Hosted by Berkeley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council will hold its second quarterly session May 15 at Hotel Claremont in Berkeley. The meeting includes a chapter workshop and a dinner-dance, with the bowling tournament organized separately.
• Placer County JACL Picnic April 17, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Placer County JACL’s seventh annual community picnic at its Recreation Park will feature big prizes including a 1955 Chevrolet, a washer and dryer, and a gas range. Organizers also plan a queen contest, an Issei entertainment program, and a picnic ball.
• Preparation for Nisei Week, by Henry Mori, page 7. Preparations for the 15th annual Nisei Week Festival are underway, with the Japanese American Optimist Club and the American Legion Post 525 sponsoring the coronation ball, queen contest, and carnival. Kiyo Yamato will serve as general chairman.
• Oregonian Killed in 3-Way Auto Accident, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Raymond A. Hashitani, a 38-year-old Oregon State graduate and OPS agricultural economist, died in a three-car collision on Highway 30 near Ontario, Oregon. His car struck a truck’s rear before colliding with an oncoming truck-trailer.

Arts & Entertainment

• Jigokumon Awarded Two Oscars by Movie Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Daiei’s color film Jigokumon won Academy Awards for costume design and Best Foreign Language Film of 1954. It was the second Japanese production to be honored by the Academy.

Sports

• Southern California NAU Win State Basketball Crown, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Southern California NAU champions Lords-Local 399 defeated the Northern California champion S.F. Protos 47-46 in overtime at Booker T. Washington gym. Kaz Shinzato’s steal and pass set up Yoneo Inouye’s game-winning hook shot.
• NCAA Featherweight Titlist to Defend Crown at Pocatello, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Seiji Naya, the 1954 NCAA featherweight boxing champion, left Honolulu to defend his title at the Pocatello, Idaho championship bouts. He was joined by fellow Honolulu boxers Cyril Okamoto and Thomas Shimabukuro and their coach.
• Straight Title in NCAA Swim Finals, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ohio State, the defending champion, won the NCAA swimming title by setting an American record in the 400-yard medley relay and taking eight firsts at Miami University. Yoshi Oyakawa and Ford Konno were double winners, with Oyakawa winning both backstroke events.
• Nisei Jockey Taniguchi Winds Up Apprenticeship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jockey George Taniguchi ended his apprenticeship on March 19 after a first year with 279 winners. His mount Noir won the Berkeley Handicap, paying $90.30.
• Tokyo Giants Tour of South America Nightmarish, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Honolulu Nisei Wally Yonamine of the Tokyo Giants described the club’s South American spring tour as the worst experience of his career due to substandard hotels, poor food, and many cancellations. Several players lost weight during the 30-game trip.

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