Vol. 45, No. 6, August 9, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue
A racial slur and an old law shared the front page of this eight-page issue. Japan’s UN ambassador, Dr. Koto Matsudaira, apologized after accepting the word “Jap” in a television remark, and JACL protested in letters from Masao Satow and Mike Masaoka. Larry S. Tajiri and Bill Hosokawa each wrote columns on why the term stings. Harry I. Takagi wrote about Washington, the one state that still had an alien land law, and a committee studying repeal.
Also inside: Mike Masaoka on the Senate’s civil rights bill, which passed 72 to 18, and plans for the 1958 national JACL convention in Salt Lake City. Chapter news came from Omaha, Detroit, Pocatello and Monterey. Shonien’s $35,000 campaign, Nisei Week queen candidates, and three Nisei in the Shrine football game round out the issue.
What’s in this issue
National
- Alien Land Law of the Evergreen State, by Harry I. Takagi, page 1. Washington State remains the only state with an existing alien land law, a concern for the Pacific Northwest District Council and Seattle and Puyallup Valley chapters. The PNDC has formed a committee to study repeal, facing challenges in securing a two-thirds legislative majority and funding.
- Matsudaira Sorry on Acceptance of ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese UN Ambassador Dr. Koto Matsudaira apologized to reporters for his television remark accepting the word ‘Jap.’ The Japanese ambassador to the US, Koichiro Asakai, also agreed the term should not be used, in reply to JACL protest.
- Utah Passes CPA Exam First Nisei Woman in State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tayeko Okino became the only Nisei woman certified public accountant in Utah after passing the state CPA examinations. She is a 1949 graduate of the University of Utah.
- Senate Passes Civil Rights Bill by 72 to 18 Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate approved a watered-down version of President Eisenhower’s civil rights bill without a Southern filibuster. The JACL urged all senators to support the amended bill as a small first step toward civil rights progress.
JACL
- 15th Biennial May Blossom as Full Scale Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Plans for the 1958 national JACL convention in Salt Lake City, August 21-25, are being developed into a full-scale program. A convention theme is still being decided, with suggestions accepted until August 15.
- Amb. Matsudaira’s Acceptance of Use of Word ‘Jap’ Viewed as Setback in JACL National Campaign to Eliminate Racial Slur, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National director Masao Satow and Washington representative Mike Masaoka protested Ambassador Matsudaira’s acceptance of the word ‘Jap’ in a televised interview. The letters were also sent to US and Japanese officials, arguing the term is derogatory and insulting.
- Nat’l Director’s Report, by Masao Satow, page 4. Satow reports on Headquarters activities, including a Monterey NC-WNDC meeting, a Japanese-inspired fashion show in Oakland, and a letter praising a columnist’s suggestion to junk wartime films impugning Nisei loyalty. He also notes JACL Endowment Fund contributions surpassed $100,000.
- Protest Delegation Planned by Chapter on Use of Word ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. New York JACL leaders are considering a delegation to protest Ambassador Matsudaira’s acceptance of the word ‘Jap’ and possibly to meet with the New York Consul General. The chapter sent a letter stating the term is shockingly insulting.
- Midwest District Chapters to Consider Possibility of Bidding for Nat’l Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Midwest JACL delegates will discuss bidding for a 1960 national convention at the joint EDC-MDC convention over Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Agenda items also include a constitutional amendment for an additional cabinet post and election of officers.
- JACL Endorses Administration Move to Change Immigration Law, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL Washington office endorsed Administration proposals to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, including increased quotas based on the 1950 census and orphan admissions. The office estimated Japan’s annual quota would rise from 185 to 563 under the revised formula.
- Washington JACL Office Helps Check on Nisei Casualties in Mexico Earthquake, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Washington JACL Office worked with the State Department to locate Nisei travelers in the Mexico City area after earthquakes. No Nisei or American casualties were reported.
Commentary
- Thin Skins and Tender Beefs, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa argues that the controversy over the word ‘Jap’ reflects broader minority sensitivities that newspapers and media must navigate. He notes that while some usage stems from ignorance, the lingering sting of past insults justifies sensitivity.
- Epithet with a History, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri explains that ‘Jap’ is a racially derogatory term rooted in West Coast Yellow Peril campaigns and cannot be treated lightly. He criticizes Ambassador Matsudaira’s dismissive remarks and notes dictionaries classify the term as contemptuous.
- Jungle Heat Abuses Nisei Loyalty, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri warns that the upcoming United Artists film Jungle Heat, depicting Japanese American fifth column activity in Hawaii before Pearl Harbor, repeats discredited rumors. He notes the director promised revisions after objections from Kauai veterans of the 442nd.
- Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Honda recalls meeting Harry Takagi at the 1950 JACL convention and introduces Takagi’s article on eliminating Washington’s alien land law. He also notes the editorial policy of featuring national officers on the front page.
- Senate Civil Rights Bill, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the Senate-amended civil rights bill, which was reduced largely to voting rights provisions and jury trial guarantees. He explains that the House conferees and the President’s decision on signing could determine whether any civil rights legislation passes this session.
Arts & Entertainment
- New Opera: Twilight Heron, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ikuma Dan’s short opera The Twilight Heron, based on a Japanese folk tale, premiered in Zurich, Switzerland. The story follows a peasant whose heron-wife weaves cloth from her own feathers until he breaks a promise.
Community
- Reno Sansei Attends Girls Nation as State Representative, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Judy Aoyama of Reno, Nevada, was the only Japanese American at the 1957 Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. She was selected as one of two Nevada state senators among 85 candidates for her leadership and academic record.
- Shonien SOS Campaign Hits $35,000 Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Shonien Child Welfare Center received $35,789.15 during its two-month Support Our Shonien campaign. Board president Nobu Kawai said continued community support will make the new center a reality.
- Doctor Says No Fee if Fifth Son Arrives, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Masami Sugaya family of San Francisco welcomed a new daughter, Yoko Judy Sugaya, in July. Their doctor had guaranteed free delivery if the fifth child was a girl rather than a boy.
- Omaha: Members Donated Prizes, Pop for Chapter Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Over 100 people attended the Omaha JACL picnic at Mead’s Summer Resort, featuring fishing, swimming, and games. Members donated prizes, refreshments, and ice cream for the event.
- 500 Swarm Park at 11th Annual Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An estimated 500 people attended the 11th annual Detroit community picnic at Middle Rouge Park, sponsored by the local JACL and other groups. Thirty-seven prizes were awarded during the day’s games.
- Holiday Affair Theme of NC-WNDC Summer Parley, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Monterey Peninsula JACL is hosting the NC-WNDC summer quarterly session with a dance, golf tournament, business meeting, and banquet. Speaker Karel Vit, a Army Language School instructor, will describe his experiences behind the Iron Curtain.
- Intermountain CLers Favor DC Contest for Confab Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Delegates at the Intermountain District Council summer quarterly session in Salt Lake City supported a district-level queen contest to select a hostess for the 1958 national convention. They also backed reviving the oratorical contest despite financial concerns.
- Hobo Barbecue Attracts Good Size Attendance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. About 80 people attended the Pocatello JACL hobo barbecue picnic at Ross Park on July 24. Participants cooked their own meals wrapped in aluminum foil over charcoal.
- The Northwest Picture: Bon Odori Attracts Thousands, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Thousands of Seafair visitors attended the Seattle Buddhist Church’s two-day Bon Odori festival, which included flower arrangements and hand-embroidered displays. Ogawa traces the history of Seattle’s International Festival and praises the Buddhist Church for sustaining Japanese participation.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Nisei Week Queen, by Henry Mori, page 7. Six Nisei Week queen candidates were feted at the Consul General’s Pasadena residence before the 1957 festivities. The column also praises East Los Angeles candidate Sumi Takemura.
Military & Veterans
- Japanese Consul General Replies to Protest on Use of Word ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Consul General Nakamura of Los Angeles responded to a protest from Dr. Roy Nishikawa regarding Ambassador Matsudaira’s acceptance of the word ‘Jap.’ He expressed support for the campaign and agreed that the remark was unfortunate.
Sports
- Three Nisei Star in Shrine Crippled Children’s Benefit Game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Three Nisei high school football stars participated in the Shrine crippled children’s benefit game before 85,000 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Larry Iwasaki of Reedley ran nine times for 50 yards in the North’s 32-0 victory.
- Cincinnati Redlegs Sign Nisei, Plays for Mexicali, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Barl Minagawa, a 22-year-old Hawaiian Nisei third baseman, was sent to Mexicali in the Arizona-Mexico League after playing for the Visalia Redlegs. He was signed by Cincinnati scout Babe Pinelli last spring.
- Puget Sound’s No. 1 Golf Post Now Wide-Open Race, by P.C. Staff, page 6. With defending champion Erv Furukawa unable to compete, the Puget Sound Golf Club summer tournament to determine the club champion is now open. The first round is scheduled for August 18.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL Protests Separation of German and Japanese Vested Property Settlement, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL expressed concern over a White House announcement to submit a German vested property settlement before addressing Japanese assets. Masaoka argued that no favoritism should be shown between the two cases.
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