Vol. 45, No. 5, August 2, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue
A television remark set the tone of this 8-page issue. When Ambassador Matsudaira appeared not to object to the word “Jap” on a New York program, JACL’s long campaign to remove the slur from public use took a setback. Dr. Roy Nishikawa wrote on the front page that the term is derogatory and can only be ended through education and public relations. Mike Masaoka sent a protest letter to Ichiro Asakai at the Japanese Embassy, and the paper printed the interview transcripts. Masaoka also reported on the Senate’s cuts to the civil rights bill, which was reduced to voting rights.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa reviewed Shohei Ooka’s novel Fires on the Plain and wrote about arm-wrestling and a backyard garden. Larry S. Tajiri covered Nisei performers on stage. Chapter news came from Idaho Falls, Mile-Hi, Gardena Valley and San Francisco. Page 8 reported $523,037.46 in evacuation claims awarded in June.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Should Our Children Be Called ‘Japs’?, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. National JACL’s campaign to eliminate the word ‘Jap’ was set back when Ambassador Matsudaira seemed not to object to it on television. The editorial argues the term is derogatory and must be eliminated through education and public relations.
- Fires on the Plain, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reviews Shohei Ooka’s novel Fires on the Plain, a grim account of starving Japanese soldiers in the Philippines. He notes its powerful anti-war message for Japanese readers.
- Muscle Bending, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa recalls arm-wrestling with his father as a teenager and later being bested by his own son. The personal column reflects on a father’s mix of regret and pride as his child grows up.
- Backyard Drama, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes the struggles of his backyard vegetable garden against blight, insects, and weather. He compares the seasonal garden contest to a dramatic play.
National
- Text of ‘Night Beat’ Interviews on Use of Word ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Transcripts of two New York television interviews show Ambassador Matsudaira saying he did not care if the word was used, while Professor Earl Reynolds stated he disliked the term. JACL obtained the recordings to document the exchanges.
- JACL Calls on Senators to Reject Further Substantive Change to Civil Rights Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. After the Senate struck broad enforcement provisions from the House-passed civil rights bill, JACL urged senators to oppose further amendments that would weaken it. Mike Masaoka argued that limiting the bill to voting rights and requiring jury trials would make enforcement ineffective.
- TV Interviewer Quizzes Ambassador, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka sent a protest letter to Japanese Embassy official Ichiro Asakai over Ambassador Matsudaira’s remarks on the word ‘Jap.’ Masaoka explained JACL verified the broadcast before protesting.
- House Shelves Hawaii Statehood Bill; Senate Group to Consider, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate Interior Committee unanimously approved the Hawaii statehood bill, but House action was postponed until next session. JACL has long supported statehood and testified before both committees.
Community
- Wide-Eyed Youngster Points to U.S. Sub, Hollers ‘It’s a Jap!’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Berkeley boy called a U.S. Navy submarine a ‘Jap’ after watching wartime-era anti-Japanese films rerun on television, as reported by columnist Glen King. King urged stations to reexamine programming that fosters racial prejudice.
- Japanese Nationals Helping County’s Farmers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Patrick Hillings inserted into the Congressional Record a Los Angeles Times article on Japanese temporary farm workers in Orange County. The article reports the program supplements Mexican labor without displacing American workers.
- Dinner Honoring Ex-Gov. Sprague Set for Aug. 25, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Portland and Gresham-Troutdale JACL chapters will honor wartime JACL sponsor Ex-Gov. Sprague with a scroll at a dinner in Salem. Sprague could not attend when other Oregonians were honored earlier this year.
- Success Story Spotlights Nisei Workers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A feature article reprinted in Congress describes temporary Japanese agricultural workers in Orange County. The piece highlights how the program is operating satisfactorily.
- Speakers Club Along Toastmasters Format a Big Hit With Male JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL Speakers Club, modeled on Toastmasters, has drawn about 20 members since its March founding. National program chairman Jerry Enomoto recommended the format to all JACL chapters.
- Peck Park Site of Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Gardena Valley JACL and allied groups will hold a community picnic at Peck Park on August 4 with honored guests including Miss Japan 1957. Organizers also invited regional and local leaders.
- Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 4. Takata reports on JACL’s participation in the 10th anniversary of the Community Service Organization and visits to a Friendship Day Camp in Griffith Park. He also summarizes a Whittier Institute talk on housing discrimination against a Negro naval officer.
- This Is Hollywood, by Paul ‘Kaz’ Kawakami, page 4. Kawakami describes the Hollywood JACL chapter’s efforts to build community ties, including a co-published newsletter with the Hollywood Community Center. He also reports on a successful door-to-door Shonien fund drive.
- Idaho Falls Convention and 1000 Club Reunion Preparations Underway, by Yoshie Ochi, page 5. The Idaho Falls JACL is preparing to host the Intermountain District Council convention over Thanksgiving, which will also mark the 1000 Club’s 10th anniversary reunion. The chapter has also been active in community service and youth scholarship nominations.
- Mile-Hi Chapter Deserves 7 Stars in Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Min Yasui argues the Mile-Hi JACL deserves seven membership stars for consistent growth since 1949, with one year missed. The article includes the chapter’s membership totals from 1949 to 1957.
- Speakers Club and Chapter News Roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Several chapters reported activities including a Salt Lake hamburger fry, a Pasadena brewery tour, and a Fowler JACL return to Fresno Fair planning. Other items noted Sacramento Valley baseball and a Chicago summer outing.
- 1000 Club Frolics at First San Francisco Get-Together, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Over sixty San Francisco 1000 Club members and friends enjoyed a picnic, steak barbecue, and entertainment at Morton’s Warm Springs. Barbershop quartets and hula dancers highlighted the program.
- Storm Drain Hazards in Leimert Park, by Henry Mori, page 7. Japanese American residents of Leimert Park petitioned the county over dangerous open storm drain excavation on Norton Ave. The county responded by installing a four-foot fence around the site.
- Nisei Accepts Head Physician Post, by Henry Mori, page 7. Dr. Lloyd T. Iseri, a Los Angeles native, accepted positions as head physician at Rancho Los Amigos and associate clinical professor at the College of Medical Evangelists. His practice will focus on internal medicine and cardiology research.
- Washington Newsletter: Voting Rights Bill, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports the Senate reduced the civil rights bill to voting rights only after a 52-38 vote. He warns that proposed jury trial amendments would weaken enforcement against registrars who refuse to register Negro voters.
Obituaries
- Harry Makita Fatally Injured in Head-On Collision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco JACL public relations vice-president Harry Makita died after a head-on collision in Marin County while driving to a chapter event. He is survived by his wife, children, parents, siblings, and was active in the Nisei VFW and Pine Methodist Church.
JACL
- Protest Envoy Acceptance of ‘Jap’, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. JACL sent a protest letter to Japanese Embassy official Ichiro Asakai objecting to Ambassador Matsudaira’s remarks accepting the word ‘Jap.’ The letter argued the term carries racist implications and that the ambassador’s reply undermined JACL’s national campaign against it.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL Campaign Against ‘Jap’ Hampered by Ambassador’s Remarks, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL explains its long campaign to remove the word ‘Jap’ from media, textbooks, and government use. It argues Ambassador Matsudaira’s remarks make this work harder and calls for Japan’s official objection to the slur.
- Awards Made in June on Evacuation Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The government awarded $523,037.46 in evacuation claims in June, averaging $4,287 per claim. Several non-profit Japanese church and school corporations were among the awardees made eligible by a JACL-backed amendment.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei Behind Footlights, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri reports on Nisei performers in Broadway and touring productions of Teahouse of the August Moon and The King and I. He also notes new casting calls for Nisei actors in California and Denver productions.
Sports
- Tanizaki Wins Yellowtail Derby Fishoff, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Diego JACLer Kats Tanizaki landed a 21 lb. bluefin tuna in the final Yellowtail Derby fishoff, winning a station wagon. He used a fiberglass rod and spinning reel to bring in the fish in the closing minutes.
- Seven C.L. Bowlers Compete in Kosof Endurance Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Seven Pocatello JACL bowlers will compete in the third annual Maxie Kosof endurance classic in Ogden, with a $2,500 first prize. The team includes local bowlers Ace Mori, Tuff Nelson, and Joe Sato.
Military & Veterans
- Seafair Pageantry Brings Summer Events to Seattle, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Ogawa describes Seattle’s Seafair festival, highlighting the Japanese community’s Bon Odori and the Nisei drum and bugle corps. He also recalls the JACL picnic at Gaffney’s Lake Wilderness.
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