Scholarship nominees, evacuee claims and the Nisei Relays

Vol. 45, No. 1, July 5, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

A record 24 JACL chapter nominees for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka scholarship led this eight-page issue, with judges set to name a winner later in the month. Mike M. Masaoka’s editorial argued that Nisei were in a unique position to help Japan and America understand each other. The paper also covered evacuation claims: President Eisenhower signed a bill providing $2,424,119.77 for awards, and the Justice Department asked JACL for help finding 72 missing claimants. Harry Honda reported on the sixth annual Nisei Relays, won by the East L.A. Hobos.

Bill Hosokawa wrote about a Japanese Socialist’s visit and about the children’s book Crow Boy. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter looked at the civil rights showdown in the Senate. A Tule Lake renunciant, Morie Taga, was ruled to have kept her U.S. citizenship. Chapter news came from Marysville, Cortez, Cleveland, New York and Southwest Los Angeles.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Nisei in Unique Position to Help, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 1. The editorial argues that Nisei are uniquely placed to bridge understanding between Japan and America, since their acceptance depends partly on Japan’s standing among nations. It draws on Prime Minister Kishi’s pledge that Japan will side with the free world and urges Japanese Americans to promote mutual tolerance and respect.
• 24 Nominated for Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A record 24 candidates were nominated by JACL chapters for the 1957 Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka memorial scholarship. A judging panel will announce its decision later in the month, and supplemental awards to runners-up are being considered.

Commentary

• Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable to Issei Visiting or Residing in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL office reports that qualified Issei visiting or living in Japan remain entitled to monthly Social Security benefits under the US-Japan friendship treaty. Benefits may be suspended only if the treaty is canceled or the law changes.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reports on visits from Japanese Socialist upper house member Michiko Fujiwara and Asahi correspondent Mitsugu Nakamura. Fujiwara found reports of hardship among war brides exaggerated and praised the progress made by Nisei.
• Crow Boy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa praises Taro Yashima’s picture book Crow Boy, a tale of a shy Japanese country boy who finds his place in the world. He notes its universal appeal and the artist’s sensitivity to Japanese customs.
• Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 4. Takata discusses PC business efforts and a new subscription offer for readers. He also profiles the Southwest Los Angeles chapter and its plans for community involvement and youth guidance.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda recommends a 12-page report from the Chicago JACL forum on questions facing Nisei and Sansei, including discrimination, intermarriage, and identity. He notes the report is available for 25 cents.
• The Northwest Picture, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa recounts a Seattle Saturday in which he could not find his parked car and then found his new pocket wire recorder broken. He describes time spent with friends and their friendly banter.
• Race Amity Day Letter, by Alice Kasai, page 7. Alice Kasai urges observance of Race Amity Day, an event initiated by the Baha’i faith, and calls on Nisei to cleanse themselves of prejudice. She notes that Baha’i programs bring together people of many religions.
• Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Showdown, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports that a Senate civil rights showdown is looming over a moderate bill focused on voting rights that passed the House. A Southern filibuster is expected, and breaking it would require either a continuous session or 64 votes for cloture.

Sports

• East L.A. Athletes Dominate at 6th Annual Nisei Relays, by Harry Honda, page 1. East L.A. Hobos won both the open and junior division championships at the sixth annual JACL Nisei Relays, scoring 134 points to West L.A. JACL’s 108. Five records fell during the meet at Rancho Stadium.
• Nisei Relays Results Summary, by Harry Honda, page 6. The open and junior division results of the sixth annual Nisei Relays are detailed, including five records broken and the winning point totals. Frank Sumi of Huntington Beach won the open mile as a 14-year-old.
• Southern California PGA Pro-Nisei Golf Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Smiley Quick led individual pros with a 68 while Ralph Gordon and Jim Kado won team honors with a best-ball 62 at Fox Hills. Full results for the pro-am event were listed.
• Unseeded Japan Netter Upsets Fifth-Seeded Star, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Yoshi Minegishi of Redwood City upset fifth-seeded Warren Sisson in the California state junior tennis championships. He was later beaten in the quarterfinals by San Francisco’s Jim Watson.
• Kono Breaks AAU Light-Heavyweight Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tommy Kono regained his AAU light-heavyweight weightlifting title at Daytona Beach with a total of 970 pounds. The Olympic champion broke a national record in the two-handed press.

Military & Veterans

• President Signs Bill for Evacuee Claims Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower signed a supplemental appropriations bill providing $2,424,119.77 for evacuation claims awards. Government checks are expected to reach the claimants soon.
• Argentine-Born Nisei Wins Top School Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cadet Lt. Masao Murai, an Argentine-born Nisei, received the Toberman Achievement Award, the highest honor at Black-Foxe Military School in Los Angeles. He is the first person of Japanese ancestry to receive it and must complete a year of army duty in Argentina before college.
• GI Wins Five-Year Battle to Bring Home Japanese Bride, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sgt. Francis Luddy won a five-year fight to bring his Japanese wife Shigeko and their infant daughter to the United States after Congress passed a private bill. The Army had originally refused permission because of her tuberculosis, which had been cured.

Incarceration & Redress

• Whereabouts Sought by Justice Dept. of 72 Missing Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department asked JACL to help locate 72 evacuation claimants whose mail was returned without forwarding addresses. The Washington JACL office published their last known addresses and asked readers with information to contact the Japanese Claims Section.
• Tule Lake Renunciant Regains U.S. Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Federal Judge William Byrne ruled that Morie Taga, a San Francisco-born Nisei, did not lose her U.S. citizenship by renouncing it at Tule Lake. The case was close because she had spent most of her life in Japan.

Community

• Mo Marumoto Awarded College Citizenship Cup, by P.C. Staff, page 1. William Mo Marumoto of Santa Ana received the Walter Friar Dexter Award at Whittier College for distinguished college citizenship. He had served as student body president and was graduated June 8.
• Judge Aiso to Talk on Girard Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge John Aiso will present his views on the Girard Case at a non-political forum sponsored by the Japanese American Democratic Club on July 12. Seating is limited to the first 150 attendees.
• Cincinnati Athlete Accepted by Naval Academy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bob Shimizu of Cincinnati was accepted by the United States Naval Academy after nomination by Ohio Congressman William Hess. He was a standout athlete and top student at Western Hills High School.
• Nisei Businessmen Form Committees, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei businessmen in Tokyo took further steps to organize a group that will foster Nisei influence in Japanese society. The initial meeting was held at the invitation of Tokyo Governor Seiichiro Yasui, who plans a conference with Hawaii and mainland leaders.
• Southwest Los Angeles Chapter Profile, by Fred Takata, page 4. Fred Takata profiles the Southwest Los Angeles JACL chapter, which has grown to over 1,200 members and balances youthful social events with growing civic engagement. The chapter is developing a community center and a juvenile guidance committee.
• Combine for CL Membership Push, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Cleveland JACL chapter plans a fuller membership canvass with help from other Cleveland Nisei organizations. The chapter also showed a JACL film and is planning a Jr. JACL unit.
• Marysville Barbecue Honors Local Grads, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Marysville JACL hosted a barbecue at the Yuba County 4-H Camp honoring 1957 graduates from Sutter, Yuba, Butte, and Colusa counties. Over 200 people attended and enjoyed the day.
• Greeley Nisei Attends Colorado Boys State, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Ken Miyoshi of Greeley attended the ninth annual Colorado Boys State at the University of Colorado, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. He is a student at Greeley High School.
• Ronald Inouye Elected School Prexy, by Ida Tateoka, page 4. Ronald Inouye, son of Mt. Olympus JACL members, was elected student body president of American Fork High School in Utah. He is an accomplished debater and FFA leader.
• Hanford Youth Wins in Boys State Election, by P.C. Staff, page 4. George Omata of Hanford was elected county supervisor at the 20th annual California Boys State. He served on the board of one of seven mythical counties.
• New York JACL Installs New Board Members, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The New York JACL installed its new 12-member board at a dinner addressed by Roger Baldwin of the International League for the Rights of Man. Officers were named and four new directors joined.
• Cortez Fetes Graduates at Lake Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cortez JACL honored local 1957 graduates with an outing at Scott Island in Lake Yosemite on June 22. Over 200 attended and enjoyed food and boating.
• San Francisco Auxiliary Plans House Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Francisco JACL Auxiliary has scheduled a house tour of custom and contemporary homes in the Richmond area. The $2 admission covers transportation and a light lunch.
• Clers Hear Discussion on Three Investment Methods, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco JACL members heard talks on stocks, general insurance, and mutual funds at a chapter meeting at the Park Presidio YMCA. The evening was chaired by Yone Satoda.
• Osaki Designs Trophy for L.A.-Honolulu Yacht Race, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Pasadena silversmith Harry Osaki created an 18-inch sterling silver trophy for the L.A.-Honolulu Yacht Race in memory of Harry G. Steele. The 2,225-mile race started July 4 with 35 entrants.
• Bussei Plan Grants for Ministers Studying English, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Buddhist Churches of America will award scholarship grants from a $50,000 fund to Buddhist ministers and candidates to improve their English. Final distribution policies will be set at the next board meeting.
• Japanese Methodist Conference Holds Annual Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Coast Japanese Methodist Provisional Conference concluded its annual meeting in West Los Angeles with minor appointment changes. Delegates passed resolutions opposing nuclear testing and supporting immigration reform.
• Japanese Social Security Benefits Explained, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Washington JACL office explains that Issei qualified for Social Security can keep receiving benefits while visiting or residing in Japan. A reciprocal treaty protects this right, though work performed abroad can suspend benefits for those under 72.

National

• Japan Miracle Man Tsubaki Draws Crowds, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Reiju Tsubaki, a Hokkaido healer, has drawn public attention in Tokyo for reportedly curing physical ailments through spiritual strength. Scholars and foreigners have studied his claims, though his performances are hard to verify.
• AP Story on Progress of Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 8. An Associated Press story reports that Japanese Americans are finding acceptance, quoting JACL director Mas Satow that they are better off than ever. The story reviews the evacuation, relocation, and the $25 million paid in evacuation claims.

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