Vol. 51, No. 8, August 19, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue
An early push for 1961 JACL memberships opened this eight-page issue. With Pacific Citizen subscriptions now combined with membership, chapters were urged to start in August, and the national dues increase from $2 to $3 needed explaining. Also on the front page, James Peck reported on engineer Jack Yamashiro, who was offered a house in Tujunga after a Los Angeles Examiner story. The 20th Nisei Week Festival in Li’l Tokio crowned Penny Akemi Tani queen, and the JACL-Hilo Tidal Wave Disaster Fund neared $10,000.
Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka wrote a Washington Newsletter on the special session of Congress and reviewed Judge Dalip Singh Saund’s autobiography. Fred Takata, Harry K. Honda, Richard Akagi and Elmer Ogawa contributed columns. Denver’s sister city tie with Takayama, Japan, and Capt. Robert S. Utsumi’s assignment to fly the F-106 also made the news.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Early push for 1961 memberships, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters are urged to begin 1961 membership drives early in August because PC subscriptions now combine with membership and terminate March 31, 1962. The national dues increase from $2 to $3 will require careful explanation to members.
- Voter registration promoted in California for November elections, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Brown and Secretary of State Frank Jordan urged Californians to register before the September 15 deadline for the November 8 general election. Over 4,000 deputy registrars are working in Los Angeles County, including JACL regional director Fred Takata.
- Emphasis on Japanese culture taking over Nisei Week festival, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 20th annual Nisei Week Festival in Li’l Tokio featured a parade of over 1,000 ondo dancers and a mikoshi gifted by Nagoya to Los Angeles. Penny Akemi Tani of the Downtown L.A. JACL was crowned queen, and the festival honored past queens and Issei pioneers.
- JACL Tidal Wave disaster fund nearing $10,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Combined contributions to the JACL-Hilo Tidal Wave Disaster Fund reached $9,921.20. Checks totaling $6,040.50 have been sent to the Hilo Tribune-Herald, and donations may still be mailed to JACL headquarters.
- San Jose JACL barbecue at Alpine Park tomorrow, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Jose JACL annual family barbecue will be held at Alpine Park with swimming, chicken barbecue, ping-pong, dancing and bridge. Chairman Milton Hamasaki announced prices of $2.35 for adults and $1.15 for children.
- Nisei Week notes, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reports on the large turnout of Sansei children for the Nisei Week Ondo Parade and the lower Coronation Ball attendance this year. He also comments on the Olympics and Nisei athletes participating in the Games.
- Fred Takata: Pointing Southwestward – Hail the new queen, by Fred Takata, page 4. Takata congratulates Penny Tani on winning the 1960 Nisei Week queen crown and praises the other candidates. He also defends the queen selection process against rumors of rigging.
- Northwest picture: Bristol Bay salmon fishing, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Ogawa reports on the successful Bristol Bay red salmon season and easing tensions over Japanese salmon fishing near the Pacific Rim. He describes the boom economy among Alaskan fishermen.
- Denver, Takayama sister cities, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Denver formally affiliated as a sister city with Takayama, Japan. Japan Times representative Tamotsu Murayama delivered greetings and gifts to Mayor Batterton.
- Takayama sister city affiliation announced, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Denver’s affiliation with Takayama, Japan was formally announced with a presentation of greetings and gifts. The exchange includes cultural goods and a Denver Dollar given to the Takayama mayor.
- Nisei Week festival events staged this year, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Nisei Week festival included historical tableaux, a Japanese pop singer, and judo and goh demonstrations. Organizers noted slipping attendance at the Coronation Ball and fashion show.
- Pediatrician heads Stanford researchers studying mystery of how heart pulsates, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Kenneth Tsuboi of Stanford is leading research into how nucleotide molecules release energy that drives heart muscle contraction. The team uses radioactive tracers to study the process.
National
- Examiner story aids in offer of better home, by James Peck, page 1. After a Los Angeles Examiner story about engineer Jack Yamashiro being denied a home purchase in Tujunga, builder Cliff Mauzey offered him a house two doors from his own. The Yamashiros are set to move in within about a month, saving Jack an hour of daily driving.
- Director’s Report, by Masao Satow, page 5. Satow reports on the 1961 membership campaign plans, the Hawaii tidal wave fund, and the 1960 National Scholarship judging. He also updates on the 15th National JACL Bowling Tournament planned for San Jose.
- Congressman from India, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews Judge Dalip Singh Saund’s autobiography, a book about the first Asian-ancestry person elected to Congress. He highlights Saund’s view that Asians need equal treatment rather than instruction in democracy.
- Washington Newsletter: Special session politics, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the partisan maneuvering in the special post-convention session of Congress, including failed civil rights and minimum wage tests. He notes the House Rules Committee’s blocking of key bills.
- Urges U.S. supported group to fight Communists in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Lawrence T. Kagawa, a Nisei businessman, proposed a U.S.-backed organization to fund anti-Communist groups abroad. He said recent riots revealed a strong subversive element in Japan.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei pilots F-106, world’s fastest plane, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Capt. Robert S. Utsumi of Oakland was assigned to fly the F-106 Delta Dart, the world’s fastest all-weather interceptor. A former UC student, he previously piloted the Sabre Jet in France.
- Nisei veteran helps rehabilitate Japan’s communications field, in top government post, by William T. Kawai, page 8. Henry T. Masuoka, a Sebastopol-raised Nisei engineer, rose through Army service and postwar work in Japan’s communications rehabilitation to attain the GS-15 civil service grade. Kawai profiles his career with GHQ SCAP and the Mutual Security Office.
Obituaries
- Mt. Olympus JACL president dies of heart ailment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kiyo Takita Matsumori, president of the Mt. Olympus JACL, died unexpectedly of a heart ailment. She had served the JACL in many capacities and was also active in PTA, church work, and scouting.
- Pioneer orchardist dies, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hango Uratsu, a pioneer orchardist and father of Contra Costa JACL member Marvin Uratsu, died suddenly of a heart attack. He had operated an orchard in Placer County before evacuation.
Commentary
- Letter from Senator Oren E. Long, by Oren E. Long, page 2. Senator Oren E. Long wrote to praise the August 5 Pacific Citizen, singling out the President’s Corner, Pointing Southwestward, East of the River, and the Washington Newsletter. He expressed admiration for Mike Masaoka’s thinking.
- Overdue slum clearance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This editorial column addresses the need for slum clearance in Japanese American communities. It urges action on long-deferred redevelopment efforts.
- Pacific Citizen reader letter on Nisei Week and Mike Masaoka’s writing, by Oren E. Long, page 2. A reader praises the publication’s columns and Mike Masaoka’s vigorous thinking. The letter was sent from Washington, DC.
- Japan: Voters counter rioters, by Christian Science Monitor, page 3. An editorial argues that provincial election results show Japanese voters reject the extremism of Tokyo rioters. It suggests that the quiet electorate, not the demonstrators, reflects the nation’s mood.
- A conversation to Midway, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Akagi recounts a Chicago cab ride in which the driver discusses politics, Catholicism among Black Americans, and his family’s Japanese connection. Akagi reflects on the shared sense of identity behind the exchange.
In-Depth
- Pony Express carried news of arrival of Kanrin Maru, Grand Embassy in U.S., by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama recounts the 1860 Pony Express run that carried news of the Japanese embassy’s arrival in San Francisco, and the 1960 centennial re-run. He notes the historical significance of the Japanese embassy for Issei and Nisei.
JACL
- Over 400 frolic at Contra Costa picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Contra Costa JACL picnic at Wild Acres drew over 400 people and netted $737.01 for the chapter. Organizers thanked contributors and the committee.
- Chapter raising dues explains ‘why’ to members, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sequoia JACL newsletter explains national budget needs, including Washington office costs, and why local dues are being raised to $5. It urges members to understand the financial picture behind the national program.
Sports
- Judy Sakats named to all-American women’s bowling team, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Judy Sakats was named to the JACL All-American Women’s Team after a standout season including several tournament wins. Nobu Asami and Mats Ito were also named to the third team and honorable mention.
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