Vol. 50, No. 13, March 25, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue
Immigration and citizenship ran through the front page and the back of this eight-page issue. The Immigration and Naturalization Service invited eligible aliens to apply for citizenship, and JACL’s Washington office, through Mike Masaoka, praised the Administration’s proposal to double immigration quotas and analyzed the President’s immigration proposals. William Maruyama’s “By the Board” profiled the Issei of the Eastern District Council, and the Detroit newsletter piece “Future of JACL” asked what the organization is for now. Mike Masaoka also reported on civil rights legislation in the House.
Elsewhere, Dr. Abraham Kotsuji, a Japanese Hebraic scholar, described his conversion to Judaism, and Larry S. Tajiri surveyed Nisei performers on Broadway. Columns by Richard Akagi, Elmer Ogawa and Shig Sakamoto filled the commentary pages, with news of the Sacramento convention and a Denver bowling tournament. A Sansei from Morro Bay was chosen for California Boys State, and San Jose approved a Japanese tea garden.
What’s in this issue
National
- Uncle Sam Invites Issei to Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Immigration and Naturalization Service is inviting eligible aliens to apply for citizenship as the number of resident aliens declines. The agency views the outreach as a way to encourage worthy aliens to become Americans.
- Nevada Invites JACL to Witness Capitol Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka attended the Nevada ceremony presenting Sen. Patrick McCarran’s statue to the nation’s Statuary Hall. Masaoka was invited for his role in securing the Asian provisions of the Walter-McCarran Act.
- Masaoka’s Immigration Bill Hailed as Step in Right Direction, by JACL News Service, page 1. JACL’s Washington office praised the Administration’s proposal to increase immigration quotas as a logical continuation of the Walter-McCarran Act. The proposal would double quotas, remove the Asia-Pacific triangle ceiling, and base quotas on the 1950 census.
- Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference Draws JACL Leaders, by JACL News Service, page 8. John Yoshino and Mike Masaoka represented JACL at the 12th annual National Civil Liberties Clearing House conference in Washington, D.C. The conference covered civil rights, obscenity and censorship, and law enforcement.
- JACL Washington Office Analyzes Immigration Proposals, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The JACL Washington Office analyzed the President’s immigration proposals, expressing preference for a regional pool approach and noting that Congress is unlikely to act this session. It also reported on Japanese quota implications and spousal immigration reforms.
Community
- Nisei Aeronautical Engineer Appointed to Guide Missile Production, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Takashi Tom Omori of Pasadena was named European manager for Aerojet-General’s planned Paris office overseeing production of the Hawk missile. He will lead production through a NATO arrangement involving several European nations.
- Nakatsuka Appointed Deputy Director of Social Service Dep’t, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Governor Quinn appointed Lawrence Nakatsuka deputy director of the new social services department after the Senate rejected his nomination as labor director. Nakatsuka will help develop the consolidated department overseeing welfare, institutions, and veterans affairs.
- Body of Missing Fisherman Found, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The body of fisherman Junichi Nakamura was found washed ashore about two miles from where his boat beached at Redondo Beach two weeks earlier. His billfold, jacket, and trousers were turned in to a lifeguard station by a surf fisherman.
- Morro Bay Sansei Chosen for California Boys State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David Kishiyama, a Sansei junior at San Luis Obispo High, was selected by the Morro Bay American Legion Post to attend the 1960 California Boys State. He is a varsity wrestler and was named to a Coast Babe Ruth League all-star team.
- San Jose OKs Building of Japanese Tea Garden, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Jose approved a Japanese tea garden with waterfall, arch bridges, and a ceremonial pot to be built in Kelly Park. Groundbreaking is scheduled for May 21 as part of the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Japan trade relations.
- Nisei Housing Official Speaks to Seattle Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tad Masaoka, intergroup relations officer for the Urban Renewal Administration, spoke to the Greater Seattle Housing Council on intergroup relations and urban renewal. The council is a voluntary organization of housing, civic, and intergroup agencies.
- Body and Fender Repair Work Never the Same, Says Reno JACLer, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Oscar Fujii, manager of Coachcraft in Reno, describes his career in auto body work from his Cleveland apprenticeship onward. He discusses repairing Renault Dauphines used during the Squaw Valley Olympics.
- West Los Angeles Completes Calendar for Coming Year, by Sumi Oshinomi, page 5. The West Los Angeles JACL board finalized its second-half calendar including the national convention, a barbecue, and Issei Appreciation Night. Committees also planned a boys fishing trip, track meet, and a community panel on teenagers.
- Cleveland JACL Honors Members at Recognition Event, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Cleveland JACL presented its biennial recognition awards, with Joe Kadowaki receiving the JACL Service Award. National President Wakamatsu praised the chapter and installed a new board including prominent community leaders.
JACL
- JACL Accepts Invitation for White House Conference on Youth, by JACL News Service, page 1. JACL President Shigeo Wakamatsu announced the organization accepted an invitation to the 1960 Golden Anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth. Masaoka and Yoshino will represent JACL, and the national convention will discuss a youth program for the coming decade.
- Life Members of the 1000 Club, by P.C. Staff, page 5. JACL Headquarters published the list of Life Members in the 1000 Club, which was created in 1947 to meet an emergency fund need. Chicago has the most Life Members in a single chapter with eight.
Commentary
- Future of JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Detroit JACL newsletter argues that the organization’s original objectives have largely been achieved and asks what purpose JACL serves now. It concludes JACL must both improve the group’s public standing and serve as a proving ground for individual growth.
- The Editor’s Desk: Mother Lode Country, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editor describes the historic Mother Lode towns travelers will pass en route to the Sacramento convention. He also praises Mrs. Charles Kamayatsu’s idea to preserve Issei pioneer life through a historical presentation.
- Bay Window, by Fred Takata, page 2. Fred Takata’s column corrects a colleague’s geography, notes achievements of John Sakayama and the Denver bowling tournament, and teases about the upcoming Sacramento convention menu. It also praises the Long Beach bay window contest.
- Letters: Wing Luke on Uncle Tom’s Kobun, by Wing Luke, page 2. Washington attorney Wing Luke writes to praise the P.C. article on Richard Akagi’s community relations work. He calls such persons examples of quietly improving group relations.
- By the Board: Issei of the EDC Area, by William Maruyama, page 4. EDC chairman William Maruyama profiles the Issei of the Eastern District Council, noting their professional achievements, community involvement, and high naturalization and voting rates. He concludes with a tribute to their dedication and warmth.
- East of the Sun, West of the Moon: No Point, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Richard Akagi reflects on his dislike of idle conversation and his youthful memories of gospel revival meetings. He recalls how Los Angeles Nisei visitors were bludgeoned with scripture by evangelists.
- Sacramento in ’60, by Shig Sakamoto, page 6. Shig Sakamoto recounts the bowling tournament in Denver, including a spaghetti dinner hosted by Dr. Bob Mayeda and Tom Ioka. He also comments on the awards banquet and the bowlers’ camaraderie.
- Northwest Picture: Business of Getting Around, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Elmer Ogawa reflects on how transportation has changed in his lifetime, from Model T outings to Sound steamers to jet travel. He argues that faster travel has not made people appreciate the countryside more.
Military & Veterans
- Japan Official, Nisei Guide Die in Miami-Bound Airplane Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Masami Nakamura, a Japanese police official, and Chiyoki Ikeda, his Nisei interpreter, died in a Northwest Airlines crash near Tell City, Indiana. Ikeda, a former Hawaii resident, had served with the 442nd Combat Team.
- Ex-Stockton Mayor Tells of Japan Trip, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dean De Carli, former Stockton mayor, spoke at the Stockton JACL installation dinner about his trip to Shimizu for the sister city ceremonies. Ted Kamibayashi was installed as chapter president.
In-Depth
- Dr. Kotsuji, Japanese Rabbi Scholar, Converted to Judaism, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Abraham Kotsuji, a Japanese Hebraic scholar related to the Imperial family, describes his conversion to Judaism in Jerusalem and his lifelong study of Hebrew. He recounts his wartime efforts to help Jewish refugees and his decision to remain in Japan.
Arts & Entertainment
- Broadway Tide Turns, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri reports that no new Broadway production this season offers Nisei performers, as Flower Drum Song and other Asian-themed shows tour or close. He surveys Nisei roles in film and the upcoming London production of Flower Drum Song.
Incarceration & Redress
- Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Probabilities, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Mike Masaoka reports that the House is likely to pass only minimal voting rights legislation in this election year. He describes procedural maneuvers in the House and Senate and expected Southern resistance.
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.