Nisei loyalty and Issei citizenship at the 1955 EDC-MDC convention

Vol. 40, No. 14, April 8, 1955. 12 pages. View this issue

The joint Eastern and Midwest District Council JACL convention in Washington led this 12-page issue. Vice-President Richard Nixon greeted delegates and praised Nisei loyalty and the newly naturalized Issei. At the banquet, Ambassador Sadao Iguchi, Senator Warren Magnuson and Rep. Francis Walter credited the JACL with removing legal barriers, and State Department official William J. Sebald spoke at the luncheon. Mike Masaoka’s Washington column recapped the visits to Capitol Hill. On the front page, Larry Tajiri’s Vagaries took aim at a university textbook that repeated wartime charges of Japanese American treachery.

Elsewhere, a story on page 3 reported on the Hillings evacuation claims bill and a meeting led by George Inagaki. Oski Taniwaki wrote about Japanese war brides married to Negro soldiers, and Budd Fukei announced that The Northwest Times was suspending publication after eight years. Henry Mori covered a proposed gardener licensing bill, and the sports pages followed the Saints’ basketball title and Konno’s AAU swimming wins.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Pre-Pearl Harbor Charges Persist, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Tajiri criticizes Joseph Roucek’s textbook Modern World Politics for repeating discredited wartime charges of Japanese American treachery seven years after Pearl Harbor. He argues the claims about Hawaii sabotage, fishing boats, and farms have been disproven by officials and reporters.’
• Visitors from America, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama observes that American former Occupation personnel returning to Japan expect deference the Japanese no longer owe them, damaging Japanese attitudes toward America. He notes that pro-American sentiment in Japan has soured since the Occupation ended.
• Language No Barrier, by Harry Honda, page 8. The editorial praises Issei naturalization and argues that language need not prevent Nisei and Issei from active community participation. It stresses that sincerity matters more than perfect pronunciation.
• New Sounds in Living Room, by Harry Honda, page 8. Honda describes setting up a high-fidelity sound system and notes the growing home audio market. He reflects on how hi-fi equipment has enriched home entertainment beyond television.
• Washington Newsletter: EDC-MDC Convention Notes, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka recaps the joint EDC-MDC convention in Washington, highlighting Capitol Hill visits, congressional greetings, and the JACL’s respected standing with officials. He notes many delegates were impressed by the organization’s influence.
• Loneliest Brides in U.S., by Oski Taniwaki, page 9. Taniwaki describes the isolation of Japanese war brides married to Negro soldiers, who face rejection from both white and Nisei communities. Many spend their time alone or in small groups and write letters home in Japanese.
• Dateline Northwest, by Budd Fukei, page 10. Fukei announces the suspension of The Northwest Times after eight years of publication, reflecting on its founding to help Japanese Americans readjust after the war. He notes assimilation and failing health led to the decision.

JACL

• Vice-President Nixon Greets EDC-MDC Convention Delegates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vice-President Richard Nixon greeted delegates to the joint Eastern and Midwest District Council JACL convention in Washington, praising Nisei loyalty and citizenship. He also commended the newly naturalized Issei and recalled his 1953 trip to Japan, stressing good US-Japan relations.
• JACL Praised for Effective Legislative Work Ridding Racial Barriers at EDC-MDC Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ambassador Sadao Iguchi, Senator Warren Magnuson, and Rep. Francis Walter praised the JACL at the EDC-MDC convention banquet for removing legal barriers against Japanese Americans. Walter called naturalization for Issei a matter of simple justice.

Community

• Contributions of Nisei to Improve Understanding Between US-Japan Outlined by State Dept. Official, by P.C. Staff, page 2. State Department official William J. Sebald told the EDC-MDC convention luncheon that Nisei are uniquely positioned to strengthen US-Japan relations. He cited General Willoughby’s request for Nisei linguists during the war as an example of their contributions.
• Mixed Marriage Law Ruling Sought as White, Part-Nisei Pair Seek License, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Salt Lake County officials asked Utah’s Attorney General to interpret state anti-miscegenation law after a white person and a part-Japanese or part-Hawaiian couple applied for marriage licenses. The clerk declined to issue licenses pending the opinion.
• City Mayor Aids in Nisei GI Funeral, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles Mayor Poulson received a money order from the officers and men of a medical detachment in Germany to help bury Cpl. Frank Nakauchi, who died of pneumonia there. The letter praised Nakauchi’s devotion to duty.
• Shows in Fancy Surroundings, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka describes how Honolulu Nisei organizations now stage events in prestigious venues like the Waikiki Biltmore and Honolulu Academy of Arts. He credits the Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce Cherry Blossom Festival with raising the community’s standing.
• Watsonville Nisei Cited for Trimming Own Hedge to Rid Traffic Hazard, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Clifford Fujimoto was publicly praised in a Watsonville newspaper letter for promptly trimming his hedge to remove a driver visibility hazard. The writer urged other citizens to follow his example.
• Omaha Chapter Serves Sukiyaki to Quota Club, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Omaha JACL served a sukiyaki dinner to Omaha’s Quota Club, with Mrs. Lily Okura presenting the JACL story alongside Japanese dances and vocal performances. The event was organized by a committee of local women.
• Seattle Residents Affected by Freeway Splice Organize Study Group, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. Seattle’s Jackson Street community launched Operation Crossroads, a development study to plan for the area’s future despite a freeway that will divide it. Mayor Pomeroy and Council President Mitchell praised the self-improvement effort.
• Chicago Southside Residents to Talk on Redevelopment, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japanese American residents of Southside Chicago will meet to discuss problems raised by a redevelopment plan. The meeting is co-sponsored by the Chicago JACL and several churches and service organizations.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Gardeners May Be Licensed, by Henry Mori, page 7. Assembly bill A.B. 1671 would require gardeners to be licensed with examinations and a $25 annual fee, affecting roughly 10,000 state gardeners, most of Japanese descent. Critics say the requirements are too rigid for Issei workers.
• Fowler High Class of 1940 Schedules May 28 Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Fowler Union High School’s class of 1940, which included 35 Nisei, will hold a reunion dinner in Fresno on May 28. Reservations are being collected by class members.

Incarceration & Redress

• COJAEC Chairman Meets with Hillings Bill Officials, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Inagaki, chairman of the Committee on Japanese Evacuation Claims, met with White House and House Judiciary staff to discuss the Hillings evacuation claims bill. Mike Masaoka and Mas Satow also participated in the discussions.
• Senate Passes Private Bill for Denver Amputee, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Senate passed a private bill granting permanent residence to Okinawan double amputee Chokichi Iraha, now sent to the House. Rep. Byron Rogers pledged to push for House passage this session.

Sports

• San Francisco Chinese Saints Win Salt Lake Tournament for Fourth Straight Year, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Francisco Saints defeated the Los Angeles Stars 72-63 to win their fourth straight Salt Lake Nisei Invitational basketball title. Harvey Fong led the winners with 24 points while Kaz Shinzato scored 26 for Los Angeles.
• Konno Captures Double National AAU Swim Victories, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ohio State’s Hawaiian Nisei swimmer Konno won the 440-yard freestyle, just missing a world record, and Yoshi Oyakawa retained the 100-yard backstroke title. Both are graduating this summer.

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