Nisei from Hawaii, Memorial Day at Arlington and the 1958 JACL convention

Vol. 46, No. 23, June 6, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

Welcome for Nisei arriving from Hawaii led the news. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council pledged to help the newcomers in Southern California, where many had trouble finding jobs, housing and a warm reception, and Rev. Paul Nagano headed a tentative committee. Also on page one, Ira Shimasaki reported on the Memorial Day rites at Arlington National Cemetery, where JACL leaders honored Nisei soldiers of the 442nd, and Tooru Kanazawa reported Mike Masaoka’s warning about U.S. policy toward Japan.

Columns include Bill Hosokawa on Nisei who built new careers after leaving the West Coast, Larry S. Tajiri on Hollywood’s changing portrayal of Nisei, and Erni Uno on Sansei and juvenile delinquency. Inside are convention housing details for Salt Lake City, a Mike Masaoka newsletter on statehood bills, chapter news, graduates and an extended sports page.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Welcome Hand Extended to Nisei from Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council pledged to welcome Hawaiian Nisei arriving in Southern California, many of whom faced difficulties finding jobs, housing, and hospitality. A tentative committee led by Rev. Paul Nagano was formed to help them join churches, veterans’ groups, and civic bodies.
• Nisei Pilot Crash Lands, Avoids Homes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sacramento pilot John Inouye crash-landed a disabled surplus training plane on a railway embankment rather than endanger nearby homes. Neither he nor his passenger was injured.
• Horiuchi Up for National Jaycee Vice-Presidency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seiji Horiuchi, past Colorado Jr. Chamber of Commerce state president, was endorsed as a candidate for national vice-president of the U.S. Jr. Chamber of Commerce. The vote will take place at the convention in Los Angeles in June.
• Dr. Kambara Heads Eye Service at Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. George Kambara, formerly of Sacramento, was elected chief of the eye service at White Memorial Hospital. He is also an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology and a former Downtown L.A. JACL president.
• Shonien Houses First Group of Children, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shonien Child Welfare Center began caring for four children after receiving a state residential care license. The board thanked the community for its support of the Support Our Shonien appeal.
• Minneapolis Chapter Gains TV Cooperation Against Anti-Nisei Films, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Twin Cities JACL persuaded WTCN-TV to add disclaimers before scheduled showings of anti-Nisei films such as Air Force and Across the Pacific. The station agreed to announce that the films do not reflect on Japanese American loyalty.
• Teahouse Roles in Chicago Available, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago Park District is seeking about 25 Japanese Americans for walk-on and speaking roles in The Teahouse of the August Moon, to be staged at Fullerton Pavilion in August. Rehearsals are held weekly at Chase Park.
• Cleveland JACLer Named to Township Zoning Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. William S. Sadataki, an active Cleveland JACLer, was appointed to the Macedonia Township zoning commission. He is an architectural metals manager and previously studied at UCLA and Case Institute.
• Visiting Farm Trainees from Japan Welcomed at Eden Township JACL Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. About 75 people welcomed seven Japanese farm trainees at an Eden Township JACL dinner in San Leandro. The trainees, sponsored by a Japanese rural rehabilitation association, are studying modern agricultural methods in Alameda County.
• Watsonville JACL Hosts Graduates Barbecue, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Watsonville JACL is holding its annual steak barbecue for area graduates at Sunset Beach and sponsoring a queen candidate for the July 4 celebration. Other chapter events include a holiday dance and a benefit movie night.
• Sequoia JACL Sponsors Bridge Lessons, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sequoia JACL is offering weekly bridge lessons at the Palo Alto Buddhist Church, taught by local dentist Dr. George Hiura. The sessions are open to the public.
• Gilroy Community to Moot Claims Award, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Following a government award on evacuation claims to the Gilroy Community Center, a general community meeting is planned. The chapter also held Memorial Day services and honored area graduates.
• Contra Costa Graduates to Be Guests at Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Contra Costa JACL will honor high school graduates at a dance on June 21 at the Richmond Civic Center Plaza. Committees from both East and West Contra Costa are organizing the event.
• Japanese Cooking Class Offered by Hollywood JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mrs. Yoshiko Sakurai and her father Masujiro Hosoi will teach Japanese cooking at Christ Presbyterian Church on June 13. The class is sponsored by the Hollywood JACL.
• Pacific Southwest District Council Welcomes Nisei from Hawaii, by David Yokozeki, page 5. PSWDC Chairman David Yokozeki describes the district’s efforts to help Hawaiian Nisei settle in Southern California through Rev. Paul Nagano’s committee. He notes that chapters are working to integrate them into JACL and community activities.
• Juvenile Delinquency: Officials Seek CYO Help, by Henry Mori, page 7. Japanese American officials will approach the Catholic Youth Organization to address gang fights and violence among Nisei and Sansei teen clubs. They also plan a coordinating council of Nisei clubs with JACL support.
• Long Beach Keiro-Kai Honors Issei, by Henry Mori, page 7. The Long Beach JACL honored fifteen Issei over 80 at a keiro-kai dinner and entertainment program at the Harbor Community Center. Chapter leaders also performed a traditional ondo dance.
• Mitsu and Taro Yashima Hold First Joint Show, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mitsu and Taro Yashima are holding their first joint exhibit of drawings, watercolors, and oil paintings at the Whittier Art Galleries through June. Taro Yashima will also address the Whittier Art Association.
• Two to Compete in Salt Lake Oratoricals, by P.C. Staff, page 7. James Aoki and Emiko Tokunaga will compete in the Salt Lake City JACL oratorical contest. The winner will represent the chapter at the Intermountain District Council speech contest.
• Seattle Lass Earns A’s, Scholarships and Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Marjorie Omori of Garfield High School received a Phi Beta Kappa award and a scholarship for academic excellence. She plans to study mathematics at the University of Washington.
• Younger Sister Follows Brother as Valedictorian, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nancy Fujita was named valedictorian of Petaluma High School’s 1958 class, following her brother Gary’s similar honor. She also received the Standard Oil and Doyle scholarships and plans to study English and teaching.

National

• U.S. Policy on Japan Affecting Nisei with Biased Undertones, by Tooru Kanazawa, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka told a New York audience that U.S. policy toward Japan undermines an ally and carries prejudice that affects Japanese Americans. He urged Nisei to resist complacency and isolationism and to speak up on Japan-related issues.
• EDC Favors No Reduction in ’59-’60 JACL Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Eastern District Council voted to maintain its current share of the national JACL budget for 1959-1960 and to continue the Washington office. Other actions included urging JACL representation in New York and changing the 1000 Club chairman to a national board seat.

Military & Veterans

• Sacrifice, Contribution of Nisei GIs Recalled at Rites, by Ira Shimasaki, page 1. JACL leaders honored the Nisei war dead at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, placing flowers on the graves of twenty Nisei soldiers. Speakers including Dr. Roy Nishikawa and Masao Satow stressed the 442nd’s sacrifices and the continuing duty to guard against prejudice.
• Sacrifice, Contribution of Nisei GIs Recalled at Rites (continued), by Ira Shimasaki, page 3. The Arlington services concluded with a rifle salute and taps, after Harry Takagi spoke and carnations from Eden Township JACL decorated the graves. National leaders then visited each Nisei grave.

JACL

• Eisenhower Lauds Theme of JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Eisenhower sent a message praising the 15th Biennial JACL convention theme, ‘Past Is Prologue,’ for the convention in Salt Lake City. The telegram was forwarded through Mike Masaoka.
• 15th Biennial Convention Underlines Housing and Booklet Ads, by Rupert Hachiya, page 2. Hachiya reports on convention housing options at Hotel Utah, Hotel Temple Square, Newhouse Hotel, and Motel Sierra Rancho. He also notes booklet ad deadlines and convention planning progress.

Commentary

• Success Story, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa profiles Newton K. Wesley, a Nisei optometrist who developed improved contact lenses and co-founded Plastic Contact Lens Company in Chicago. He notes that many Nisei forced from the West Coast prospered elsewhere and enriched their new communities.
• The Expatriates, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa describes Nisei professionals, including Dr. Wesley, who left the West Coast after wartime removal and succeeded in Chicago, Hawaii, Iowa, and Minnesota. He argues Portland lost valuable talent because prejudice denied them opportunity.
• Sansei and Juvenile Delinquency, by Erni Uno, page 2. Uno responds to concerns about juvenile delinquency among Sansei, arguing that most young Nisei and Sansei are succeeding in school and community life. He calls for early discipline, Big Brother mentoring, and parental responsibility.
• More Sympathetic Treatment, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri traces how Hollywood has shifted from wartime anti-Nisei films toward sympathetic portrayals of Nisei and Japanese characters. He discusses recent TV and film productions, including The Kurishiki Incident and Dateline Tokyo.
• Maybe $1 PC Rate for JACLers Possible, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Editor Harry K. Honda explains the financial case for and against adding a $1 Pacific Citizen fee to JACL membership dues. He notes the paper’s budget depends on advertising, subscriptions, and the holiday issue.
• Washington Newsletter: Statehood Bills, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the House passage of the Alaska statehood bill and the uncertain Senate prospects for both Alaska and Hawaii. He describes parliamentary maneuvers and opposition from Senator Eastland.

Sports

• Golf Club Memberships, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Ogawa reports on Seattle park golf clubs that restricted membership and tournament qualification, and on the Park Board’s response requiring open participation. Councilman Paul Alexander and sportswriter Royal Brougham criticized the clubs’ exclusionary practices.
• JACL Nisei Relays Results at Rancho Cienega, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Hobos team won both open and junior team titles at the JACL Nisei Relays, with Tom Sano setting a new shot put record and Victor Mitsuno improving his quarter-mile mark. Injuries to several West L.A. athletes affected that squad’s chances.
• Art Nishiguchi Tops Don Carter, Marty Piraino in Masters, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nevada bowler Art Nishiguchi upset top bowlers Marty Piraino and Don Carter in the 1958 ABC Masters before losing in the third round. His performance drew attention across the bowling world.
• Hirayama Tallies to Keep Carps in 27-Inning Game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei third baseman Fibber Hirayama scored in the sixth inning of a 14-inning game for the Hiroshima Carps against the Kokutetsu Swallows. The contest was called by time limit after a continuation of a previous tie.
• Sansei Swimmer Ties School Backstroke Mark, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Roy Hatanaka of Los Angeles High tied his school record and set a league record in the 50-yard backstroke at the Southern League finals. Ten other Sansei competed in the meet.

Obituaries

• Vital Statistics, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This listing includes births, weddings, and other vital statistics from Los Angeles and Cleveland. It is a routine record of community announcements.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.