Tidal wave relief, the Japan security treaty and a JACL convention ahead

Vol. 50, No. 24, June 10, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

A tidal wave on the Big Island of Hawaii led the June 10, 1960 issue. JACL launched a national fund drive for the victims, with a goal of $17,000 by August 15, and National President Shig Wakamatsu announced the Hawaii Disaster Fund. Japan was the other big subject. Bill Hosokawa and Mike Masaoka wrote about the demonstrations against the U.S.-Japan security treaty, and Masaoka also shared a letter urging Senate ratification.

The rest of the 8 pages looked ahead to the 16th Biennial National JACL Convention in Sacramento. Readers will find the slate of national board candidates, more Nisei of the Biennium nominees, advice on registration, lodging and what to wear, and a final report due from the evacuation claims committee. Chapter news covers scholarships, graduate honors and Judge John Aiso’s admission to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

What’s in this issue

Community

  • JACL Hawaii Disaster Campaign Underway, page 1. JACL launched a national fund drive to aid victims of the tidal wave that struck the Big Island of Hawaii. Chapters are asked to solicit funds with a national goal of $17,000 by August 15.
  • JACL Drive for Hawaii Tidal Wave Victims Started, by JACL News Service, page 1. National President Shig Wakamatsu announced a JACL Hawaii Disaster Fund for victims of the tidal wave on Hawaii. Donations are accepted at National Headquarters and forwarded to the Hawaii County board of supervisors.
  • Board of Directors Expanded in Salt Lake City JACL Credit Union, page 3. The JACL Credit Union in Salt Lake City expanded its board to seven members, adding Ichiro Doi and George Yoshimoto. Albert Oshita and Rupert Hachiya were also appointed to fill vacancies on the supervisory and credit committees.
  • Judge Aiso Admitted to Practice Before U.S. Supreme Court, page 3. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Aiso was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Following the ceremony, he lunched with Chief Justice Earl Warren.
  • San Francisco Nisei Passes State Bar Exam, page 3. George Yamasaki, Jr. of San Francisco was among roughly 80 Northern California candidates who passed the 1960 spring State Bar examinations. The list was released the previous week.
  • Three Challenges Keynote MDC Pre-Convention Meet in Milwaukee, page 4. Mike Masaoka, Mas Satow, and Shig Wakamatsu delivered speeches at the Midwest District Council pre-convention meeting in Milwaukee. The talks addressed U.S. relations with Asia, local integration programs, and the need to fund national JACL activities.
  • Long Beach JACL Entry in Oratorical Contest, page 4. Carol Kuwada of Cerritos College was selected as the Pacific Southwest District Council’s oratorical representative for the National JACL finals in Sacramento. Mitzi Yoshioka and Kenzo Okubo placed second and third.
  • Long Beach-Harbor to Introduce Harbor Queen, page 4. The Long Beach-Harbor District JACL will introduce its Nisei Week queen candidate at a dinner-dance on June 25 at the Lafayette Hotel. Proceeds and entertainment are being organized by chapter members.
  • Talk on Acculturation of Nisei to Be Repeated by Dr. DeVos, page 5. Dr. George DeVos, a lecturer at the University of California School of Social Welfare, will repeat his lecture on the acculturation of Japanese Americans at a San Francisco church. The program includes a film and an oratorical speech by Sandy Ina.
  • JACL Scholarship Deadline Extended, page 5. The deadline for nominations for the 1960 National JACL Scholarships was extended to June 30 at the request of several chapters. Scholarships include the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial and Tokichi Matsuoka awards.
  • Mt. Olympus JACL Reveals Candidate for Scholarship, page 5. Mt. Olympus JACL announced Bob Akagi as its candidate for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka memorial scholarship. Akagi ranks in the top three percent of his class and is active in sports, student government, and debate.
  • JACL Chapter Forms Anti-Bias Committee, page 5. The Mt. Olympus JACL in Salt Lake City formed a committee to address discrimination affecting Japanese Americans. Members were elected and confirmed unanimously.
  • Convention Delegates Urged to Reserve Accommodations Early, page 5. The Convention Board urged delegates to reserve hotel rooms early for the 16th Biennial National JACL Convention in Sacramento. A block of rooms has been set aside at the Hotel El Dorado, and recommended hotels and motels were listed.
  • Gresham Troutdale JACL to Honor Graduates, page 5. The Gresham Troutdale JACL will honor local graduates at a dinner-dance on Sunday. Chairman Jack Ouchida announced the event and the list of honored students.
  • Roy Inouye Presents Piano Recital in Alamosa, page 6. Ronald Inouye, a 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Inouye of La Jara, Colorado, presented a piano recital at Adams State College. He played works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy.
  • Sequoia JACL Enjoys Busy Weekend, page 6. The Sequoia JACL held a chapter pre-convention rally and a community beach outing with the Nichibei Kai over the weekend. The events drew active participation from members.
  • Nisei Drowns in Try to Rescue Lost Youth, page 6. Atsushi Matsuo, 24, drowned in Lake George while attempting to rescue two youths lost in the mountains. He was a chemical engineering graduate from MIT doing graduate work at NYU.
  • Sequoia JACL Workshop Features Medical Panel, page 6. Dr. Masako Baba led a Sequoia JACL career workshop featuring a medical panel and other professionals discussing job opportunities for local graduates. Speakers included dental, nursing, and pharmacy professionals.
  • Reedley JACL Presents Scholarship to Non-Nisei, page 6. The Reedley JACL awarded its scholarship to high school student Delbert Friesen. The award was reported in the Pacific Citizen.

JACL

  • Complete JACL Election Slate of 8 Revealed, by JACL News Service, page 1. Dr. George Miyake, chairman of the National JACL Nominations Committee, released the candidates nominated for national JACL Board positions by the District Councils. Further nominations may be made by petition, committee action, or from the convention floor.
  • Five More Candidates Nominated for ‘Nisei of Biennium’ Honors, page 1. Five additional nominees were named for the Nisei of the Biennium award, to be presented at the 16th Biennial National JACL Convention in Sacramento. The candidates include Denver Post drama editor Larry Tajiri, Union City mayor Tom Kitayama, judoist Masato Tamura, YMCA leader David Tatsuno, and singer Pat Suzuki.
  • Dr. Yatabe Testimonial, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The testimonial for Dr. Yatabe was moved to the National Recognition Luncheon on June 29 due to the many tributes planned. The change allows more time for the honors during the convention.
  • Convention Registration Clarified, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column clarifies which 16th Biennial National JACL Convention events require registration and which are open to the public. Events such as the Whing Ding, Saturday banquet, and Savonara Ball require registration.
  • Convention Clothing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sandra Sunada of the Sacramento Jr. JACL Convention Board suggests attire for youth delegates across convention events. Recommendations range from summer cottons and sport shirts for daytime to dressy outfits for the banquet and ball.
  • Elections Announced for Chapter Officers, page 5. Several JACL chapters and national committees announced elections and appointments, including a Midwest District Council representative and national committee leaders. The notices cover nominations and board positions for the coming biennium.
  • National JACL Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka urges delegates to the 16th Biennial National JACL Convention to set a clear long-range program and secure adequate funding. He warns that JACL risks withering without new objectives and a sound financial base.

Commentary

  • International Relations, by H.H., page 2. The editorial addresses confusion over a UPI report that JACL urged Senate ratification of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, and questions JACL’s standing with Japanese readers. It also raises concern about the safety implications of President Eisenhower’s planned visit to Japan.
  • From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on the Tokyo demonstrations against the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty and the Socialist opposition led by Premier Kishi. He recalls a 1958 interview with Socialist leader Sooji Okada about Japan’s neutralism and argues Japan is too strategically valuable to remain neutral.
  • By the Board, by Shirley Okura, Sec’y to Nat’l Board, page 4. Okura writes her final column as Secretary to the National Board, addressing the Class of 1960 graduates. She argues that adult moral standards, not youth, are to blame for juvenile delinquency and urges graduates to pursue success measured by peace of mind and service to others.
  • American Committee on Japan Urges Ratification of Security Treaty, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. The American Committee on Japan wrote to Senator Fulbright urging prompt Senate ratification of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The letter argues the treaty is defensive and that the demonstrations against it do not reflect the majority of Japanese opinion.
  • Anti-Americanism in Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka argues that the violent demonstrations in Japan are primarily an anti-Kishi movement rather than anti-American sentiment, and that communist elements exploit the unrest. He expresses confidence that the Japanese people remain friendly toward the United States.

Incarceration & Redress

  • COJAEC Final Report Due at Convention, page 3. Dr. Roy Nishikawa announced that the Committee on Japanese American Evacuation Claims will submit its final report at the 1960 National JACL Convention. The committee, formed in 1954, helped secure amendments to the Evacuation Claims Act and built the National JACL Endowment Fund to $242,000.

Military & Veterans

  • Chisato Ohara Sponsored Nisei Veterans Honored, page 3. Washington JACL chapter president John Yoshino placed a JACL wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns during a Memorial Day observance. The carnations used in the wreath were donated by the Eden Township Chapter.

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