Newsweek’s Nisei letter, and the immigration bills in Congress

Vol. 42, No. 7, February 17, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

A letter in Newsweek, signed by Lincoln Yamamoto, claimed that Nisei consider themselves citizens of Japan. The Pacific Citizen answered on its front page with an editorial calling it a disservice to Nisei who fought and died for the United States. National JACL director Masao W. Satow telegraphed the magazine, and Tats Kushida’s column “How Low Can You Get?” took it up as well. Alongside it, Helen Mineta reported on the Watkins and Keating immigration bills, which would raise Japan’s annual quota from 185 to about 563, and on revised Lane-Hillings evacuation claims legislation before the House Judiciary Committee.

Elsewhere in these eight pages: chapter membership drives and installations, Jerry Enomoto’s column on Operation Mercury for the JACL convention, Harry K. Honda’s history of the paper since 1929, and Mike Masaoka’s immigration notes. Sports and community stories include a Nisei world spearfishing record and the March basketball tournament in Salt Lake City.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Great Disservice to Nisei Committed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Citizen condemns a Newsweek letter signed by Lincoln Yamamoto that claimed Nisei consider themselves citizens of Japan and praised Iva D’Aquino. The editorial calls the publication an irresponsible disservice to Nisei who fought and died for the United States.
• How Low Can You Get?, by Tats Kushida, page 4. Kushida condemns Newsweek for publishing the Lincoln Yamamoto letter as sensationalism. Investigations in Pasadena found no one by that name in local Yamamoto families.
• Japanese American Creed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column reprints the Japanese American Creed written by Mike Masaoka and read into the Congressional Record in 1941. It affirms loyalty, American citizenship, and commitment to fair treatment.
• Operation Mercury, by Jerry Enomoto, page 5. Enomoto explains Operation Mercury, the financial project of the 14th Biennial JACL convention, with prizes including a 1956 Mercury and an RCA color TV. The package deal covers convention events for $20.
• PC Background, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda traces the history of the Pacific Citizen from its origins as the Nikkei Shimin in 1929 through wartime publication to the present. He notes the paper’s role as the official JACL publication.
• Immigration Notes, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Masaoka reports on the Watkins-Keating immigration bills and related developments. He notes the growing importance of immigration reform for Japanese Americans.
• Congressman Walter Honored in Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Congressman Francis Walter returned from a trip to Australia and Asia and was honored by the Japanese government for his efforts on naturalization and immigration. He was named honorary member of the Japanese Lower House.

National

• House Judiciary Considering Lane-Hillings Bill Implementing Ike’s Immigration Message; Japan Quota Up to 563, by Helen Mineta, page 1. Revised Lane-Hillings evacuation claims legislation is before the House Judiciary Committee, while Administration immigration bills would raise Japan’s annual quota from 185 to about 563. The bills, introduced by Watkins and Keating, also include pooling of unused quotas and other reforms.
• Seek 3-Year Extension to 1953 Refugee Relief Act, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Albert Cretella introduced a bill to extend the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 for three years to 1959 and issue 3,000 special non-quota visas to Far East Asian refugees. The current law was set to expire December 31, 1956.
• Bill Implementing Ike’s Immigration Message Ups Japan Quota to 563, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Watkins-Keating bills would raise Japan’s annual quota to about 563 based on population formulas and create Asia regional quota pools. Other provisions would ease deportation, readmission, and visa rules affecting Japanese immigrants.

Community

• JACL Telegram Defends Nisei Loyalty to U.S. in Reply to Magazine Letter, by Masao W. Satow, page 1. National JACL director Masao Satow telegraphed Newsweek rejecting the Yamamoto letter as the fanatical views of one individual. He cited the wartime record of Nisei soldiers and JACL’s principle that loyalty belongs to the United States.
• Colorado Community Boasts 100% Naturalization of Eligible Issei Residents, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Longmont-Lafayette JACL honored 13 Issei who became citizens, representing all eligible Issei in the area. Local officials and speakers including Min Yasui attended the banquet.
• San Francisco JACL Signs 250 Members in First Week, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco chapter enrolled 250 members in the first week of its drive for 1,000. The chapter ranked third nationally with 711 members the previous year.
• Chicago Chapter Joins Citywide Civic Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL executive board voted unanimously to join the Citizens of Greater Chicago, a nonpartisan civic body. The group works for efficient municipal government and an informed electorate.
• Rev. D. Kitagawa Takes Church Position in Geneva, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Daisuke Kitagawa, former director of the Minneapolis Japanese American Community Center, accepted a position with the World Council of Churches in Geneva. He will be the first Oriental to hold a position on that council.
• Cincinnati-Dayton to Host May 26-27 Midwest DC Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Midwest District Council will meet in Cincinnati May 26-27 with Dr. James Takao in charge and Dayton assisting. Tentative plans include a Friday social and Sunday excursions.
• Cincinnati Outlines Calendar of Events, by Marvin Yoshikawa, page 2. The Cincinnati JACL announced its 1956 calendar, highlighted by hosting the May MDC meeting. Other events include a June picnic, August outing, October dance, and November election meeting.
• Retiring Detroit JACL President Hosts Cabinet, by Yoshiko Inouye, page 2. Outgoing Detroit JACL president Sud Kimoto hosted his cabinet members at a Chinese dinner. Cabinet members presented him with gifts.
• MIT Impressed by Nisei Record, Asks Prep School for Course of Study, by P.C. Staff, page 2. MIT wrote to Benson Tech in Portland requesting its course of study after Paul Okamoto’s outstanding record. Okamoto graduated second in his class and was reportedly already teaching at MIT.
• Sumitomo Shows Third Year Progress, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sumitomo Bank held its third annual meeting, reporting growth including a new Sacramento office and a net profit of $39,612. Officers and directors were re-elected.
• Parlier JACL Fetes 17 New Members, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Parlier JACL held a party for new members and newly naturalized citizens to conclude its membership drive. Seventeen new members and several new citizens were recognized.
• Cal-Neva Credit Union Declares 3% Dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Members of the Cal-Neva JACL Credit Union voted at their annual meeting to declare a 3 percent dividend. The report showed $11,934.78 available for loans.
• Canada Bussei Concludes 2nd Annual Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The second annual conference of the Buddhist Churches of Canada ended with hopes of strengthening the movement among Nisei and Caucasians. A rotating headquarters plan was established.
• Koyasan Scout Troop 379 Plans Old-Timers Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A reunion of prewar scouters of Koyasan Troop 379 is planned for February 25 to welcome August Narumi, a charter member. The troop anticipates its 25th anniversary this year.
• Southwest L.A. Shoots for 1,000 Members; Unique Point System Bared, by Tom Shimasaki, page 4. Southwest Los Angeles JACL set a goal of 1,000 members for 1956 and devised a point system to reward membership sign-ups. Top point-earners by April 30 will receive awards.
• Shigeru Hongo Elected 1956 Portland JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shigeru Hongo was elected to head the Portland JACL, succeeding Nobi Sumida. The chapter will install its cabinet at a Japanese-style dinner with national board secretary William Mimbu as speaker.
• CCDC Quarterly Meeting at Fowler, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The first quarterly meeting of the Central California District Council will be held in Fowler with the local JACL as hosts. Agenda items include chapter of the year, national nominations, and the district convention.
• Santa Barbara Chapter Installation Fetes Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Santa Barbara JACL installation dinner will install Tom Hirashima and his cabinet. A colored film, People, Products and Progress 1975, will be shown.
• Valentine Social Marks SLC Membership Drive, by Jeanne Konishi, page 4. The Salt Lake Chapter held a Valentine social to climax its membership drive, with prizes awarded to top recruiters. Entertainment included performances and a junior chapter skit.
• Taro Yashima One-Man Show, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Artist Taro Yashima opened his first one-man exhibit since arriving from New York at the Eastside Jewish Community Center. The show runs through March 2.
• Hawaiians Organize in Chicago, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 4. The Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago formed a club for Hawaiian Nisei in November, which has grown to 129 members. The club hosts dances and social events for newcomers from Hawaii.
• Southwest Los Angeles Nisei Chapter Installs 1956 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Southwest L.A. JACL plans include a fashion show, Olympic movies, and a Mardi Gras party. The cabinet discussed these events at its first meeting.
• National Director’s Report: Membership Drives and Installations, by Masao Satow, page 5. Satow reports on chapter membership efforts, installations, the national bowling tournament, and the NC-WN quarterly meeting. He praises the Richmond-El Cerrito hosts and the PSW clinic.
• Twice-Decorated Issei Honored, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Henry Heiji Okuda was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Japan. Okuda pioneered Seattle’s Japanese associations, language schools, and the 1921 Progressive Citizens League, and advocated for Issei naturalization.
• Salt Lake JACL Presents Home Again to Libraries, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Salt Lake JACL donated copies of James Edmiston’s historical novel Home Again to city schools, the university, and public libraries. The gift was presented to school officials and the former mayor.
• Salt Lake Basketball Series Set for Mar. 29-31, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The 21st national Nisei basketball invitational tournament will be held March 29-31 in Salt Lake City. The tournament is limited to eight teams with San Francisco Chinese Saints as defending champions.
• Nisei Kelp Tangler Spears 32-lb. Rooster Fish for World Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hank Nunokawa of the Nisei Kelp Tanglers speared a 32-pound rooster fish off Punta Penasco, setting a world spearfishing record. The catch broke the previous mark of 28 pounds.
• American Businessmen in Japan Launch Olympic Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan announced an effort to raise funds for the Japanese Olympic team bound for Melbourne. The group estimates 120 million yen is needed.
• Parlier Fish Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Kubo won the grand prize for the largest catch at the annual Parlier Fishing Club dinner with a 33-pound striped bass. John Kashiki succeeded Toichi Doi as club president.

Military & Veterans

• Sacramento Japanese Community Center to Receive Capitol Flag, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Congressman John Moss obtained a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol for the Sacramento Japanese community building. The flag commemorates January 28, 1943, when Nisei were allowed to serve in the armed forces.

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