Nixon and Kennedy on television, and JACL honors the Issei

Vol. 51, No. 14, September 30, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

The first televised debate between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy opened this issue, with a front-page editorial arguing that the format fell short of a true face-to-face debate. JACL news followed. Shigeo Wakamatsu and other leaders presented a citation to Robert K. Gray at the White House, and Wakamatsu announced that the Issei Story project would be recommended for expansion into a history of the Japanese in America. K. Patrick Okura wrote on public relations and the Nisei image, and Mike Masaoka urged support for Congressman Dan Inouye’s re-election.

Elsewhere in these eight pages, Lorry S. Tajiri reviewed two films, Bridge to the Sun and Hiroshima, Mon Amour. Saburo Kido wrote on progress for minorities in California. Fred Takata reported on a Los Angeles conference on the needs of aging Issei. Chapter news from San Francisco, Alameda and Oakland included plans to honor local Issei, and committees formed to back both Kennedy and Nixon.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Not Much Debate in Monday’s Telecast, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nixon-Kennedy televised debate was a historic first but its format fell short of the original Lincoln-Douglas style of face-to-face debate. The next debates are planned as split-screen news conferences, which the editorial views as a super news conference rather than a true debate.
• Kore Wa Nihongo Desu, by Howard Imazeki, page 2. The columnist describes teaching Beginning Japanese at UC Extension to a large and growing class of professionals and Nisei. He reflects on his own humble beginnings as an accidental teacher and his upcoming trip to Japan.
• Progress for Minorities, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Saburo Kido praises California’s progress on race relations and the work of the Department of Employment and the FEPC. He reflects on prewar discrimination and notes that employment progress has been significant.
• Shibboleth, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column questions what it means to be a ‘better American,’ arguing that JACL members too often equate Americanism with material comfort. It urges the Nisei to embrace the skeptical, dissenting tradition of American democracy.
• Washington Newsletter: Re-election of Dan Inouye, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka urges support for Congressman Dan Inouye’s re-election, citing his service in Congress and his international work. He notes the difficult campaign ahead against a well-funded Republican opponent.

JACL

• White House Aide Cited by JACL, by JACL News Service, page 1. JACL presented a special citation to Robert K. Gray, Secretary to the Cabinet, for his cooperation and aid in promoting equality and opportunity for Americans of Japanese ancestry. The presentation was made at an informal White House ceremony by Shigeo Wakamatsu and other JACL leaders.
• Confab Suggestion to Youth Taking Root, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A suggestion by Mike Masaoka to junior JACL members at the national convention in Sacramento is taking root in San Francisco. A youth group plans to correspond with students at Waseda University in Tokyo, a project that has now become a reality.
• Urge ‘Issei Story’ Be Expanded to Include Nisei, by JACL News Service, page 1. After meetings in Washington, Shigeo Wakamatsu announced that the Issei Story project will be recommended for expansion into a history of the Japanese in America. The expanded project would combine the histories of the Issei and Nisei covering 1850 to 1960.
• By the Board: Public Relations and the Nisei Image, by K. Patrick Okura, page 4. National First Vice President K. Patrick Okura argues that recent riots in Japan challenged the Nisei image JACL built and calls for stronger chapter-level public relations. He describes a new structure of district and national public relations committees.

Military & Veterans

• Ambassador MacArthur II Lauds Nisei for ‘Doing Their Full Share’ to Aid U.S.-Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. U.S. Ambassador to Japan MacArthur II praised Americans of Japanese descent for helping strengthen U.S.-Japan ties in a message read at a Hawaii Japanese emigration anniversary event. He described Hawaii as a vital link between East and West and cited Nisei contributions to the islands.
• Bridge to the Sun, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri reports on the MGM film adaptation of Gwen Terasaki’s biography about a Tennessee woman who married a Japanese diplomat. He discusses the difficulty of casting the Japanese lead and the film’s planned production with Carroll Baker.

Community

• Salt Lake Nisei Picked for Specialist Teaching Job, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kumiko Iwamoto, a University of Utah graduate, was chosen for a two-year intern scholarship from USC to train as a specialist high school teacher. The program is supported by a Ford Foundation grant and conducted with Los Angeles city schools.
• Minister’s Daughter Mariko Kosaka at Armstrong College, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mariko Kosaka, daughter of the Japanese Foreign Minister, is now a student at Armstrong College in Berkeley. The brief item notes her enrollment.
• Whiz at Winning Essay Contests, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Melanie Toyofuku of Honolulu has won several essay contests, including a $25 runner-up prize and a $50 brotherhood contest prize. She also won a trip to New York and was selected for a film role.
• Mari Lynn Shimamoto Wins State Fair Flower Display Prize, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sacramento Nisei flower arranger Mari Lynn Shimamoto was among the first prize winners at the State Fair flower show. The item briefly reports her award.
• UC Japanese Alumni Plan ‘Big Game’ Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The UC Japanese Alumni plan to discuss affiliating with the California Alumni Association at a reunion before the Big Game on Nov. 18. Reservations are being accepted through Tsune Baba in San Francisco.
• Grand Juror Called, by P.C. Staff, page 2. John N. Nishimura, an active Legionnaire in Woodland, was sworn in as one of 19 members of the 1960 Yolo County grand jury. The brief announces his service.
• Tojo’s Daughter Assists U.S. Foreign Service Workers Training, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kimie Tojo, daughter of the wartime Japanese prime minister, serves as a teaching assistant in a Syracuse University overseas training program. She helps US Foreign Service workers learn Japanese customs and language.
• Education Stressed in Talk on Job Opportunities, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dave Rightman of the State Department of Employment spoke on job opportunities for minority groups in California. Fred Takata reported that the emphasis on education was especially noteworthy for Nisei students.
• March of Dimes Grants Scholarship to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dori Yuriko Kono of Oakland received a $2,000 four-year March of Dimes scholarship to study nursing at UC Berkeley. The brief notes she is one of twelve children.
• Dinuba Radio Station to Change Frequency, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Radio station KRDU, which broadcasts Japanese-language programs, will move to 1130 kc and increase power to 1000 watts. The change is announced by station owner Egon Hofer.
• Nisei in 7th Year as City Orchestra Member, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Clarinetist Eiji Uyemaruko has been a member of the Fresno Philharmonic since its founding and is the music teacher at McKinley Elementary School. He is working on a master’s degree at Iowa State.
• Relired Justice on Hawaii Bank Board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Masaji Marumoto, retired Hawaii Supreme Court associate justice, was elected to the Bank of Hawaii board of directors. He is the first person of Japanese ancestry on that board.
• Yamasaki to Design 5-Acre Japanese Center, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Detroit Nisei architect Minoru Yamasaki was retained to design a Japanese cultural center in San Francisco’s Western Addition. The center will include a Japanese inn, restaurant, and shops.
• Nisei Attends National Conference on Citizenship, by JACL News Service, page 4. John Yoshino, president of the Washington D.C. JACL chapter, represented the National JACL at the 15th annual National Conference on Citizenship in Washington. The conference addressed citizenship ideals and civic participation.
• Conference for the Aged, by Fred Takata, page 5. A special local conference in Los Angeles addressed the needs of Issei senior citizens and the problems of aging. Participants discussed housing, medical care, and recreation for older Japanese Americans.
• Polio Clinic, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A JACL-sponsored polio clinic in Little Tokyo administered 695 inoculations. Volunteers and medical personnel helped run the clinic, with a second session planned.
• FEPC Anniversary Luncheon, by Fred Takata, page 5. Fred Takata and Saburo Kido attended the FEPC first anniversary luncheon where Governor Brown and commissioners reported on 411 cases. The governor then met with Japanese community leaders at his office.
• Community Tribute to Issei Set for Oct. 22 Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Francisco JACL chapter announced a community banquet honoring the local Issei at the Four Seas Restaurant on Oct. 22. The event is part of the U.S.-Japan Centennial celebration.
• Alameda JACL Chapter to Honor Issei at Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Alameda JACL will host a dinner honoring local Issei members at Alameda Buddhist Church. All Nisei JACL members will be asked to contribute $2 toward the event.
• Twin Cities UCL to Meet Oct. 22, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Twin Cities UCL will resume chapter activities with a potluck dinner and open forum on youth moderated by Abe Hagiwara. The meeting will also discuss the 1961 membership drive.
• San Francisco JACL Scholarship Awards to Roy Ikeda and Julie Inuzuka, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Roy Ikeda and Julie Inuzuka were named co-winners of the second annual San Francisco JACL scholarship awards. Each receives $250 for their academic achievements.
• JACLers Assist Kickoff for United Crusade Push, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Oakland JACL and Jr. JACL members helped with decorations and other tasks at the local United Crusade kickoff dinner with a Japanese theme. Several members are named as participants.
• JA Journal Editor Named, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dick Kushino was named editor of the Japanese American Journal in Minneapolis, succeeding Andrew Sato. The brief item announces the change.
• Imperial Gardens Sukiyaki Restaurant, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Advertisement-style item for Imperial Gardens Sukiyaki Restaurant in Hollywood. Limited editorial content.
• Nisei Veterans Memorial in Fresno to Be Moved, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Nisei War Memorial in Roeding Park, Fresno, will be moved from its site near Lake Washington to the Japanese garden section. Harry Murashima of Sierra Nisei VFW Post 8499 welcomed the decision.
• Conference on Aging, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Frank Chuman and others held a one-day conference in Los Angeles addressing the needs of aging Issei. Participants identified a ten-point list of needs including housing, medical care, and recreation.
• U.S. Stamp Show in Tokyo Features Art of Gyo Fujikawa, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 8. The Nisei artist Gyo Fujikawa, who designed the U.S.-Japan Centennial commemorative stamp, is honored at a U.S. Stamp Show in Tokyo. The exhibition was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and the Japan Times.
• Japan Wages Still Low, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A U.S. Labor Department article notes that Japanese per capita income and wages remain low compared with other industrialized nations. The brief reports on the comparison.

National

• Bi-partisan Group Formed to Aid Inouye Re-election, by JACL News Service, page 1. A bipartisan volunteer committee of Nisei nationwide was formed to support the re-election of Congressman Dan Inouye of Hawaii. Gen. Charles W. Pence was named honorary chairman, and co-chairmen were named in various cities.
• Wall of Two Cities, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A brief editorial piece in the National section discussing the theme of two cities. Limited content is available in the OCR text.
• Bill Allows Nozuka to File for Vested Property, by JACL News Service, page 3. A private bill signed by the President extends the filing deadline for Kamenosuke Nozuka of Stockton to claim his vested property. The law waives the statute of limitations because his renunciation of citizenship was found to be involuntary.
• Japanese Americans for Kennedy Committee Formed in So. Cal., by P.C. Staff, page 5. Ted Kennedy announced the formation of a Japanese American Citizens for Kennedy committee in Southern California led by George Maruya and Shigemori Tamaki. The group aims to draw Issei and Nisei support for the Democratic ticket.
• Japanese Americans for Nixon Groups Organized Throughout California, by P.C. Staff, page 5. George Inagaki organized Nisei committees for Nixon-Lodge across California’s communities. Chairmen were named in several cities, and Los Angeles co-chairmen were appointed.

Incarceration & Redress

• Issei Story, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 2. The author urges Nisei to learn their parents’ life stories before they are lost, noting the Issei’s pioneering role and sacrifices. He argues that the Issei story deserves to be recorded as part of Japanese American history.

Arts & Entertainment

• Hiroshima, Mon Amour, by Lorry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri praises the French film Hiroshima, Mon Amour, a love story set in Hiroshima a decade after the atomic bomb. He notes the strong performances by Emmanuelle Riva and Eiji Okada and its Cannes prize.

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