Election season in Japan and in Japanese American communities

Vol. 51, No. 17, October 21, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

The stabbing of Japan’s Socialist Party chairman Asanuma during a televised speech led the front page, with an editorial on what the killing meant for the national election campaign and for Japan’s democratic institutions. Elsewhere in the issue, election season showed up closer to home: Japanese American committees formed for both Nixon and Kennedy, and Mike Masaoka urged Washington State voters to repeal the last anti-alien land law on the Pacific Coast by voting yes on Senate Joint Resolution No. 4. Bill Hosokawa’s columns covered a pair of neighborhood dogs and a review of Sessue Hayakawa’s autobiography.

Chapter news fills much of the paper. Several JACL chapters set their 1961 dues, Reedley planned its 25th anniversary banquet with Saburo Kido as speaker, and the Southern California Christmas Cheer campaign opened with $203. Tommy Kono said he wanted another match with Soviet lifter Alexander Kurinov, and a report summed up a conference of Issei senior citizens.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Implications of an Assassination in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The stabbing of Japan’s Socialist Party chairman Asanuma during a televised speech has shaken the national election campaign. The assassin’s right-wing ties raise fears that ultranationalists seek to regain power, and the editorial urges Japan to protect its democratic institutions.
• Revival of Debating, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor notes that the televised Nixon-Kennedy meetings are popularly called debates and may revive interest in formal debating. He suggests JACL would benefit from a debating group, recalling the value of debate training.
• America’s First Naturalized Issei, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Villagers in Hyogo prefecture plan a monument and biography honoring Joseph Heco, the first naturalized Japanese American and father of Japanese journalism. Heco’s contributions to Japan’s mint, electrical lighting, and banking law are recounted.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recounts how two neighborhood dogs, Fritz and Red, were separated by a move, and how both were put to sleep on the same morning, their owners unaware. The column reflects on the bond between the families and the dogs.
• Alien Land Law Repeal: Vote Yes on 10, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka urges Washington State voters to repeal the last anti-alien land law on the Pacific Coast by voting yes on Senate Joint Resolution No. 4 in November. He notes broad endorsements, but warns that voters often vote negative on confusing ballot measures.

National

• Legion Spurns 40 et 8 Bid for Full Status, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Legion’s committee refused to restore full standing to the 40 et 8 because its membership is restricted to white persons. The door remains open if the group changes that restriction, and some Mississippi Legionnaires predicted the 40 et 8 might break away.
• Kennedy or Nixon Will Inherit Responsibility to Make Return of Vested Property, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Committee for Return of Confiscated German and Japanese Property argues that either presidential candidate would inherit the question of returning vested property. The committee believes a Democratic administration could be as favorable to return as a Republican one, citing German American voter interests.
• Report of Issei Senior Citizens Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A one-day conference of Southern California Japanese American senior citizens, held September 24, 1960, produced recommendations on retirement age, housing, medical insurance, employment, and recreation centers. Delegates called for adult education and a recreation center offering social and educational programs.

Community

• Bakersfield JACL Elects ’61 Cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bakersfield JACL, one of the youngest chapters in the area, announced its 1961 cabinet headed by president Joe Ono. Lloyd Kumataka and Guy Murotani volunteered to chair reception duties for the upcoming Central California District Council convention.
• Eden Township JACLer Named Floral Group Official, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ken Fujii of Hayward, an active Eden Township JACLer, was named secretary of the California State Florists Association at its statewide convention. Fujii operates his own nursery in Hayward.
• Livingston-Merced JACL to Host NC-WNDC Fall Quarterly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Livingston-Merced JACL chapter will host the fourth quarterly meeting of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council on Nov. 13. The program includes workshops, a golf tournament, a banquet with state assemblyman Gordon Winton, Jr., and installation of officers by National President Frank Chuman.
• Capitol-Flown 50-Star Flag Given to Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 50-star flag that flew over the Washington capitol on July 4, the day the new flag became official, was presented to Dr. Laurence H. Snyder, president of the University of Hawaii. Representative Daniel K. Inouye made the presentation at an Oct. 18 ceremony.
• Truck Farms Waning in Denver Area, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The small truck farmer in Colorado’s fresh vegetable industry is disappearing, particularly around Denver, according to Denver Post farm editor Dick Prouty. Farmer George Fukui is shifting from vegetables to flowering plants and nursery work as costs rise.
• Youth Group Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco Youth Group JACL square dance will be held at the Park Presidio YMCA as a get-acquainted social. Willie Masaoka is the chairman.
• Christmas Cheer Campaign Opens, First Contributions Amount to $203, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 13th annual Christmas Cheer campaign to aid needy Japanese in Southern California opened with $203 in contributions. Chaired by Jimmie Higashi of Southwest L.A. JACL, the campaign aims to distribute $3,000 in toys, staples, and groceries.
• Japanese Americans for Nixon Name Committeemen, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese Americans for Nixon for President headquarters mailed 30,000 letters to Issei and Nisei voters in Southern California. A large steering committee was named, with Eiji Tanabe and George Nakamura as co-chairmen.
• Securities Official Departs for Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco JACL board member Hid Kasai and his family left for Tokyo to join Nikko Securities Co.’s foreign department. He is expected to return in about two years.
• Berkeley Optometrist Joins Nixon-Lodge Campaigners, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Henry Takahashi was named to the 48-member coordinating committee for the Nixon-Lodge campaign in Berkeley. Local chairman Arthur Hargrave described it as a cross-section of the community.
• Monterey Area Sansei Active in School Government, Clubs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sansei students at Monterey Union High School hold sixteen offices this semester in student government, organizations, and publications. The Monterey Peninsula JACL Newsletter reported the list.
• Nisei Name 42 Leaders to Kennedy Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Forty-two community leaders were appointed to the steering committee of Japanese American Citizens for Kennedy. Co-chairmen George Maruya and Shigemori Tamaki said the group reflects a broad cross-section of the community.
• St. Louis JACLers Introduce Their Full Moon Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. St. Louis JACL members organized the Full Moon Festival at Grace Methodist Church, sharing Japanese culture through food, dance, music, flower arrangement, and a tea ceremony. General chairman George Hasegawa led the effort.
• East L.A. JACL Teriyaki Attracts as Food Concession, by P.C. Staff, page 4. East Los Angeles JACL ran a popular teriyaki booth at the International Days event at the International Institute. Proceeds went to the Institute, the chapter’s home base.
• East L.A. Talent to Entertain Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 4. East Los Angeles JACL is planning an Issei Appreciation Night on Nov. 5 at Tenrikyo Hall with amateur and professional talent. Admission is free and refreshments and door prizes will be offered.
• Southwest L.A. JACL Dance Nov. 5 to Help Christmas Cheer Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Southwest L.A. JACL is preparing its fourth annual Christmas Cheer benefit dance on Nov. 5 at Old Dixie Ballroom. Admission for ladies is free, and the event is open to the public.
• Sequoia JACL Bridge Club to Resume Regular Meets, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sequoia JACL Bridge Club will resume meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays and announced its September tournament winners. The San Jose JACL won the perpetual team trophy.
• St. Louis Chapter Votes Board System, by P.C. Staff, page 4. St. Louis JACL unanimously adopted a constitutional amendment creating a 10-member governing board. Five members will serve two-year terms and five a one-year term, with new members installed at a dinner Dec. 3.
• Name Orchestra for New Year’s Eve Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco JACL’s New Year’s Eve dance at the Empire Room of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel will feature John Cordoni’s 12-piece orchestra. Dance chairman Don Negi made the announcement.
• Berkeley-Oakland Chapters Co-Sponsor Election Panel Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Berkeley and Oakland JACL chapters will hold a joint panel discussion on the national election, moderated by Professor Sho Sato. Panelists include representatives from the California Attorney General’s office and U.C. faculty.
• Reedley JACL to Celebrate Silver Jubilee, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Reedley JACL will honor Issei pioneers at its 25th anniversary banquet on Nov. 5 at Reedley High School. Saburo Kido of Los Angeles will be the guest speaker.
• Omaha JACL Decides Uniform Chapter Fee, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Omaha JACL board set uniform chapter dues at $5 per person beginning in 1961, with a $3 student fee. The board also voted to send $50 to the Washington Alien Land Law Repeal Committee.
• Monterey Peninsula JACL Not Changing Dues, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Monterey Peninsula JACL voted to keep its 1961 chapter dues at $5 for single members and $7.50 for couples. The chapter plans an early membership campaign so families receive the Pacific Citizen early in the year.
• Candidates Night for San Francisco Set Next Tuesday by Nisei Voters League, JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco JACL and the Nisei Voters League will co-sponsor a Candidates Night on Oct. 25 at the Park-Presidio YMCA. The event will feature candidates and proponents and opponents of propositions.
• San Francisco JACL Announces ’61 Dues, by P.C. Staff, page 5. At its October board meeting, San Francisco JACL set 1961 dues at $5 per single member and $7.50 per couple. Hank Obayashi and Chibi Yamamoto were named co-chairmen of the 1961 membership campaign.
• Joe Grant Masaoka Opens Employment Agency in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 7. Former Northern California JACL regional director Joe Grant Masaoka opened Spee Dee Skills Agency in Los Angeles to place Nisei temporary workers in office, shop, and warehouse jobs. Applicants are not charged a fee.
• West L.A. JACL Community Talent Show, by P.C. Staff, page 7. West Los Angeles JACL presents a family night talent show at Sawtelle Gakuen with community participants. Performances include a Buddhist church band, dance groups, kendo, fencing, and skits.
• Luau for Inouye Raises Near $1,000, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A luau at Kono Hawaii in Santa Ana raised close to $1,000 for Congressman Dan Inouye’s re-election campaign. Contributors were encouraged to send further donations to the Bi-Partisan Volunteers for Inouye.

Arts & Entertainment

• The Hayakawa Story, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reviews Sessue Hayakawa’s autobiography, Zen Showed Me the Way, to be released by Bobbs-Merrill. The review traces Hayakawa’s path from a failed naval academy hopeful to Hollywood silent film star and self-exile in France.

JACL

• Shooting for 20,000, by Bill Matsumoto, page 4. National Third Vice-President Bill Matsumoto urges every chapter to appoint its membership chairman for the 1961 campaign. He argues the PC with Membership plan, which bundles the newspaper with membership, will help reach the goal of 20,000 members.
• Citizenship Committee, by George Sugai, page 4. National Second Vice-President George Sugai, newly chairing the National Committee on Citizenship, outlines the committee’s goals. He lists six chapter-level actions to increase voter registration and participation among Japanese Americans.
• Speakers Club Limit of 25 Members Near, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco JACL’s reactivated Speakers Club held its first full program with 17 members. Members aim to build fluency in public speaking, and the group expects to reach 25 members by its next meeting.
• Kono Changes His Mind, Wants to Meet Olympic Foe Again, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Weightlifter Tommy Kono reversed his plan to retire after the Rome Olympics and vowed to face Soviet Alexander Kurinov again. Kono narrowly lost the 185-pound title to Kurinov and hopes to rematch at the world championships in Vienna.

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