Nisei Week, a veterans reunion and the JACL convention ahead

Vol. 47, No. 5, August 1, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

Two Los Angeles events set the tone for this August 1958 issue: the Nisei Veterans Reunion and the 18th annual Nisei Week Festival. An editorial on the front page looked at how the word “Nisei” was reaching a wider public, while Henry Mori previewed the festival and Harry K. Honda reported on General Mark Clark’s address to the veterans. Dore Schary, producer of Go for Broke!, was announced as speaker at the reunion’s Sayonara Awards banquet.

Much of the rest looked toward the JACL national convention in Salt Lake City. Rupert Hachiya, Masao Satow and Roy Yoshida wrote on convention plans and on JACL’s role in U.S.-Japan relations, a question that drew letters from readers. Nominees for Nisei of the Biennium were listed, and Bill Hosokawa recalled Seattle’s 1942 plan for its Japanese community. Larry S. Tajiri covered MGM’s interest in Japanese stories.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• The word, ‘Nisei,’ making double round, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Veterans Reunion and the Nisei Week Festival in Southern California are bringing the word ‘Nisei’ to wider public attention. The editorial argues that the celebrations showcase Nisei Americanism and Japanese culture alike.
• Northwest — Nisei queen, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa profiles Margaret Itami, the 18-year-old Queen of the Salt Lake City convention, who visited Seattle. He describes her family background, ballet talents, and roots in the Seattle community.

JACL

• Nisei of the Biennium nominations extended; Osaki and Ozawa nominated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Pasadena Californians, silversmith Harry Osaki and community leader Harris Ozawa, were nominated for JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium honor. The nomination deadline was extended to August 10.
• Seabrook scholarship student named EDC entry in national JACL oratoricals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pauline Nagao of Seabrook, N.J., was selected to represent the Eastern District Council in the 1958 national JACL oratorical contest in Salt Lake City. She is a high school honors graduate and a recipient of a $1,600 scholarship.
• Pasadenans listed for top ‘Nisei’ honor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several nominees for Nisei of the Biennium were listed for the 1958 JACL convention recognitions banquet. The list includes Tommy Kono, Harry Momita, Tom Shimasaki, Judge John Aiso, Frank Chuman and Mayor James Kanno.
• PNWDC selects Frances Sumida as oratorical entrant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frances Sumida of the Portland chapter was designated to represent the Pacific Northwest District Council at the national JACL oratorical contest. She is a student at Oregon State College majoring in medical technology.
• Canyon party for JACL convention delegates promises full day of fun, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Convention outing plans include a Sunday picnic at Brighton resort, fishing derby, games, and a dinner dance at the Old Mill Club. Delegates are advised to bring warm wraps for the evening.

Community

• Nisei on Hawaiian GOP candidates list, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaiian sources listed several Japanese Americans as tentative Republican candidates for the fall elections. Wilfred C. Tsukiyama was named as a likely candidate for Delegate to Congress.
• Fishing prospects fine; convention outing and choristers rehearse, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Salt Lake JACL members organized a fishing contest for the national convention at Silver Lake on August 24. Convention preparations also included a choir rehearsal and a successful family picnic at Lindsey Garden.
• Seabrook JACL chow mein dinner draws 1,000 for charities, by Frank Toughill, page 3. The Seabrook JACL chapter held its annual chow mein dinner, with proceeds going to local hospitals and cherry tree planting. A reporter from the Philadelphia Bulletin describes the Japanese American community’s achievements and civic virtues.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori previews the 18th annual Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles, including the coronation ball and planned events. He also comments on Japan’s Miss Universe contestant and her limited English skills.
• Seabrook farms chow mein dinner (continued), by Frank Toughill, page 7. The continued report describes Seabrook’s Japanese American residents, their adherence to the American creed, and community support from local businesses. The article notes most residents are citizens and emphasizes the community’s discipline and academic achievement.
• Two-year residency rule waived as orphan adopted by Nisei couple naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Jan Tachino, an 11-year-old adopted by a Nisei couple in Fresno, became a US citizen in a special ceremony. An amendment waived the two-year residency requirement for children of federal employees.

Commentary

• Stranded Japanese wife of sailor finds U.S. Navy has heart as red tape cut, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kuniko Kuhn, a Japanese wife stranded in Erie, Pennsylvania, received help from Chief Yeoman Al Lambert, who enlisted Navy and INS aid. She obtained expedited citizenship and later joined her husband overseas.
• Vacation Notebook, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa recalls Seattle’s 1942 plan to relocate its Japanese community to Moses Lake as an alternative to evacuation. He also describes a visit with Medal of Honor recipient Hershey Miyamura in Gallup, New Mexico.
• 15th Biennial underlines U.S.-Japan affairs, by Rupert Hachiya, page 2. Convention chairman Rupert Hachiya discusses the community setup in Salt Lake City and convention preparations. He introduces the issue of JACL’s role in U.S.-Japan relations, which the Editor notes is a topic of growing concern.
• U.S.-Japan affairs, page 2. A reader argues that JACL was founded as a non-political citizenship and educational organization and should remain so. He contends that involvement in U.S.-Japan relations should be left to individual Nisei rather than the organization.
• Director’s Report: National convention agenda, by Masao Satow, page 4. National Director Satow reports on preparations for the national convention, including committee appointments and chapter delegate designations. He also summarizes the oratorical finalists and special guests planned for the convention luncheon.
• U.S.-Japan affairs (Roy Yoshida), by Roy Yoshida, page 4. Yoshida examines the controversy over JACL’s 1954 international relations policy and calls for careful study before the convention. He urges that delegates be given discretion to resolve the split in opinion.
• Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda reports on General Mark Clark’s address at the Nisei Veterans Reunion warning of the Communist menace. Clark supported the Lebanon troop landing and urged that JACL policy on international relations consider the Soviet threat.
• U.S.-Japan affairs (letter), by Dr. Joseph D. Sasaki, page 6. Dr. Sasaki argues that JACL should not become politically involved in U.S.-Japan relations and suggests a separate committee for Asian understanding. He contends that Nisei should express their views individually to their congressmen.
• Washington Newsletter: Cold war maneuvering, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the Middle East crisis, the upcoming summit meeting, and Japan’s diplomatic role at the United Nations. He also reviews Congress’s agenda and the Republican outlook for November elections.
• House passes bill to aid alien not listed as legally admitted, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The House passed a bill extending the registry deadline for aliens who entered the US before June 28, 1940. The JACL supports the measure as humanitarian relief for Japanese aliens.

National

• Dore Schary to address Veteran Reunion dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dore Schary, producer of MGM’s Go for Broke!, was announced as speaker for the Nisei Veteran Reunion Sayonara Awards banquet. He will be honored for promoting understanding of Americans through the film.

Arts & Entertainment

• MGM looking for Japanese story, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. MGM is considering Japanese-themed projects after the success of Teahouse of the August Moon. Possible properties include Gwen Terasaki’s Bridge to the Sun and Shelley Ota’s novel work-in-progress.
• Wayakawa signed for Green Mansions, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Sessue Hayakawa was cast as a South American Indian chief in MGM’s Green Mansions. The article also notes his possible stage work and a Nisei author’s second novel about the Eta outcast community.

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