Housing discrimination hearings and JACL’s next decade, 1960

Vol. 50, No. 5, January 29, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

Fred Takata and Frank Chuman were at the center of this eight-page issue, which reported on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights hearings in Los Angeles. Takata testified in Chuman’s place and described housing discrimination against Japanese Americans in Southern California. Chuman’s statement, printed on page 3, cited cases in West Covina, Canoga Park, Long Beach and Costa Mesa. Elmer Ogawa reported that National President Shig Wakamatsu named youth development as JACL’s key priority for the coming decade, and covered the Pacific Northwest District Council convention in Tacoma, where George Azumano was elected chairman.

Other items include Larry S. Tajiri’s review of Flower Drum Song, Mike Masaoka’s account of the signing of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, and Dr. Roy Nishikawa’s reply to questions about JACL leadership. Several chapter installations, the plans for the 1960 Nisei Week Festival, and a JACL statement to the Senate on federal voting registrars also appeared.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Column Left: Fred Takata Testifies Before Civil Rights Commission, by H.H., page 1. Fred Takata testified in place of Frank Chuman before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Los Angeles about housing discrimination against Japanese Americans. The column notes Nisei reluctance to complain about injustice stems from wartime experiences.
• Vagaries: Drum Song, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri reviews the Broadway production of Flower Drum Song, praising Pat Suzuki and Goro Suzuki’s performances. He discusses the show’s Nisei cast members and their careers.
• Response to Planning Commission Questions, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 4. Dr. Roy Nishikawa argues that JACL leadership is necessarily held by a few dedicated individuals and that critics of national leadership often spread misinformation. He offers suggestions for better communication between chapters, districts, and the national office.
• Washington Newsletter: U.S.-Japan Treaty, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka describes the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security at the White House. He notes Japan’s new status as a full ally and the role of Nisei diplomat Toshiro Henry Shimanouchi.

JACL

• Youth Program Fundamental Aim in JACL’s Next Decade, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. National President Shig Wakamatsu told Pacific Northwest District Council delegates that youth development is the key JACL priority for the coming decade. He also stressed maintaining the Washington office and civil rights leadership.
• JACL Hails Signing of U.S.-Japan Mutual Cooperation and Security Pact, by JACL News Service, page 1. JACL sent a message to Prime Minister Kishi praising the signing of the U.S.-Japan Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty. The letter hoped the pact would promote lasting peace and friendship between the two nations.
• Pacific Northwest District Council Convention Report, by Elmer Ogawa, page 4. George Azumano was elected chairman of the Pacific Northwest District Council at its convention in Tacoma. Speakers emphasized the value of the Washington office and combating member indifference.
• Director’s Report: Pacific Northwest Convention, by Masao Satow, page 5. Masao Satow reports on the successful Pacific Northwest District Council convention in Tacoma, highlighting the homecoming of Shig Wakamatsu. He also describes activities of the 1000 Club and an alien land law repeal campaign appearance.

Community

• Donates $500 to Annie Clo Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL is donating $500 to the Annie Clo Watson scholarship fund in recognition of Watson’s wartime assistance to Japanese Americans. Contributions are also being accepted from members.
• 1960 Nisei Week Set for Aug. 13-21, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eiji Tanabe was named chairman of the 1960 Nisei Week Festival, to be held August 13-21. Planned events include a Shrine Auditorium program featuring possible guest artist Hibari Misora.
• Roy Hashitani Drowns in Snake River Mishap, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Roy Hashitani, an active Snake River Valley JACL member and golfer, drowned when his fishing boat capsized on the Snake River. Two companions were rescued by a bystander.
• Capital Punishment Debate Set Tonight, page 1. Southwest Los Angeles JACL scheduled a debate on the death penalty featuring attorney A.L. Wirin and a deputy district attorney. The event was set for a general meeting at Denker Ave. Playground.
• Noby Yamakoshi First Chicago Nisei Elected to Kiwanis Club Helm, page 1. Noby Yamakoshi was elected 1960 president of the Lincoln Park Kiwanis Club, becoming the first Nisei to hold the post in the Chicago area. He is also active in several community and Buddhist organizations.
• Cortez JACL Names Frank Yoshida Again, page 1. Frank Yoshida was re-elected to a second term as president of the Cortez JACL chapter. Other officers were installed at a ceremony in Modesto.
• Central California District Council Names Committee Chairmen, by John Kubota, page 2. The CCDC met in Bakersfield and appointed committee chairmen for the coming year. Plans were made for upcoming quarterly sessions and the district oratorical contest.
• Active San Francisco JACLer Named to Bank of Tokyo Assistant Cashier Post, page 2. Joe Kubokawa was appointed assistant cashier at the Bank of Tokyo of California in San Francisco, breaking a barrier for Nisei at the institution. He is an active member of several civic and JACL groups.
• Nisei Voted to S.F. Civic Unity Board, page 2. Mrs. Tomoye Takahashi was elected to the board of directors of the Council for Civic Unity in San Francisco. The council reported on its housing opportunities program and fight against discrimination.
• Full Length Evening Gown Made of Wool Wins Prize, page 2. Marilyn Kawakami of American Fork, Utah, was named a winner in the Make It Yourself with Wool contest for her full-length evening gown. The contest is open to girls aged 14 to 22.
• Gloucester Scout Ken Nakamura Becomes First Eagle Scout in Elmer Area, page 3. Ken Nakamura of Elmer, N.J., became the first Eagle Scout in the history of the Elmer area in a ceremony honored by the Rotary Club. His parents were also recognized during the presentation.
• Judge Manwell to Address Mt. Diablo JACL Installation, page 3. Judge E.T. Manwell of Yuba County Superior Court will be the principal speaker at the Marysville JACL installation banquet. Officers to be installed were also announced.
• San Benito County JACL Celebrates 25th Anniversary as Dennis Nishita Installed, page 5. San Benito County JACL marked its 25th anniversary with an installation dinner where Dennis Nishita became president. National Director Masao Satow installed the new cabinet.
• Seattle Welcomes Prime Minister Kishi and National President Wakamatsu, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Seattle hosted a reception committee for Prime Minister Kishi and national JACL president Shig Wakamatsu at the airport. Wakamatsu reflected on his years in Puyallup Valley during a weekend of events.
• Yasuko Minami and Yoshiaki Sakamoto Named Scholarship Recipients, page 7. East Los Angeles JACL chapter scholars were announced at a school awards assembly. The article also covers the chapter’s community service award and fundraising activities.
• Cleveland JACL Recognition Fete; Gene Takahashi Elected, page 8. Gene Takahashi was elected chairman of the Cleveland JACL chapter at a biennial recognition event where national president Shig Wakamatsu was keynote speaker. Other board members and advisers were named.
• San Fernando Valley JACL Re-elects Uyehara, page 8. The San Fernando Valley JACL board re-elected its 1959 cabinet, with Sam Uyehara continuing as board chairman. The chapter plans to join the Los Angeles JACL Coordinating Council at an installation ball.
• Frank Kurihara Named Chairman of Southern California Japanese Chamber of Commerce, page 8. Frank Kurihara was selected as 1960 chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California. He is a real estate businessman active in the West Jefferson Democratic Club.

Incarceration & Redress

• Actual Instances of Discrimination in Housing Against Japanese Americans Cited, page 3. Frank Chuman’s statement to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights documented housing discrimination cases in Los Angeles area including West Covina, Canoga Park, Long Beach, and Costa Mesa. Most cases were resolved in favor of the Nisei families involved.
• JACL Urges Federal Registrars to Protect Voting Rights, page 8. JACL submitted a statement urging the Senate Rules Committee to provide federal voting registrars in areas where qualified citizens are denied registration. The statement cites the history of alien land laws and racial ineligibility for citizenship affecting Issei.

Obituaries

• Fred Nomura Honored by Oakland JACL, by Saburo Kido, page 5. Saburo Kido recounts the Oakland JACL installation banquet honoring Fred Nomura, a founding member of the chapter. Kido recalls Nomura’s contributions to fundraising and his prewar warnings about evacuation.

Military & Veterans

• Boy Scouts from Japan to Attend U.S. 50th Anniversary Jamboree, page 6. Japanese Boy Scouts will attend the 1960 jamboree in Colorado Springs with JACL assistance. The article discusses scouting ties between Japan and the Nisei community.

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