A new editorial policy and delivery to every JACL household

Vol. 52, No. 1, January 6, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The first issue of 1961 marked a change in the paper itself. National President Frank Chuman announced a new editorial policy that opened the Pacific Citizen to members, officers and other interested individuals. Roy Nishikawa wrote that, as the 1960 National Convention had directed, copies were now going to all JACL households, with more than 10,000 printed. Mike M. Masaoka looked at the incoming Kennedy Cabinet, and the paper reported that Vice President Nixon had endorsed a draft plan to bar racial bias in housing tied to federal funds.

Inside are columns by Shig Wakamatsu and Frank Chuman on the proposed history of the Japanese in America, Sab Kido’s look back at the 1929 JACL conference, and Henry Mori’s Los Angeles letter for new readers, which recalls the Little Tokyo centennial. Chapter news came from Washington, D.C., Sacramento, Contra Costa and Eden Township. Sports pages covered fencer Madeline Miyamoto and a bowling tournament.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Pacific Citizen’s New Editorial Policy, by Frank Chuman, page 1. The National President announces that the Pacific Citizen will become a forum for members, officers, and interested individuals to speak on issues affecting Japanese Americans. Regular columnists will continue, and national officers and district council contributors will write regularly as well.
• JACL History Project: Issei Story, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 2. Wakamatsu explains the reasoning behind the National Council’s History of the Japanese in America project, linking it to JACL’s responsibilities to the Sansei, public relations, and education. He argues the project would strengthen community identity and aid future civil rights efforts.
• Living With JACL: The 1929 Conference, by Sab Kido, page 4. Kido recalls the 1929 JACL conference in San Francisco, where the organization’s first national steps and name were discussed. He describes the early struggle to define the group’s purpose and membership.
• As a Tribute to the Issei, by Frank Chuman, page 4. The article continues the discussion of the History Project as a tribute to the Issei generation, crediting Allan Eaton and Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa. It argues the project would unify the community and contribute to international relations understanding.
• Merit in Both Methods, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 4. Uyeda argues that individuals who succeed on their own and members who work through group efforts like JACL both contribute valuably to the Japanese American cause. He urges mutual respect between the two approaches.

Community

• John Yoshino Named Chapter Head, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington, D.C. JACL announced its 1961 board of directors with John Yoshino as chairman, marking the chapter’s conversion from a cabinet to a board system. Officers and two-year and one-year terms were set, and an installation dinner-dance was scheduled for Jan. 14.
• Jerry Enomoto Slated as Main Speaker at Sacramento Inaugural, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jerry Enomoto is announced as the main speaker for the Sacramento JACL inaugural dinner. Enomoto is a noted community figure who has served in a national institutional post.
• PC with Membership Starts Today with 10,000 Circulation, by Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The first 1961 issue of the Pacific Citizen launches delivery to all JACL households as mandated by the 1960 National Convention, with over 10,000 copies printed. The article explains the rationale for linking subscriptions to membership and answers common questions about the new policy.
• Abolition of Election Day Reading Tests Advocated by Mosk, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Attorney General Stanley Mosk proposed abolishing election-day reading tests for voters, suggesting reading ability be checked at registration instead. He forwarded legislation to that effect.
• New York City Bans Race, Color Notation on Birth Certificates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York City became the first city to remove race and color information from birth certificates, moving it to confidential medical records. The action responds to complaints that such notations were used for discrimination.
• Contra Costa JACL Chapter Heads Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 1. William Waki was elected president of the Contra Costa JACL for 1961, succeeding Sam Kitabayashi. A full slate of officers and committee heads was also named.
• Pacific Citizen Board Chairman Column on Membership Subscriptions, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The Pacific Citizen Board chairman explains that the paper now reaches all JACL households and discusses how chapter newsletters and publicity fit in. He urges early membership drives to fund the new program.
• Los Angeles Newsletter for the Newcomers, by Henry Mori, page 2. Henry Mori introduces his column to new JACL members subscribing to the Pacific Citizen, describing the Los Angeles community’s activities in 1960. He recaps the Little Tokyo centennial, Nisei Week, and political activity.
• Eden Township JACL Christmas Party Entertains 250, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 12th annual Eden Township JACL Christmas party drew some 250 children and adults to Ashland School in San Leandro. Performances and activities were presented under chairman Masako Minami.
• EDC Adopts New Fair Share Quota Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Delegates from Eastern District Council chapters voted to accept a fair-share budget and study a more equitable allocation method. They also pledged support for repealing the Washington alien land law and advanced funds to the Twin Cities convention.

National

• Nixon Endorses New Draft to Bar Racial Bias in Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A draft plan to prohibit racial discrimination in housing connected with federal funds has been endorsed by Vice President Nixon. The proposals, under review by the President’s Committee on Government Contracts, include anti-bias rules for federal grant programs and a permanent committee on equal job opportunity.
• Kennedy Cabinet Reflects Youth, Education and Military Service, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 1. Masaoka analyzes the incoming Kennedy Cabinet, noting its youth, educational backgrounds, and World War II service. He discusses how cabinet members’ past positions and statements, including on Japanese American issues, may influence the new administration.

Military & Veterans

• Mainland Coordinators for 442nd Reunion Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Coordinators were named for the 1961 Nisei Veterans Reunion in Honolulu in June, which will continue on neighbor islands. Contacts across several mainland cities were listed to promote the gathering.
• Texans Reminded of Exploits of 442nd RCT, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Robert Saibara, a Nisei radio officer in the First Army, recalls his service in Europe during World War II despite wartime detention of his family. The article traces the formation of the 442nd and the wartime loyalty of Japanese Americans.

Arts & Entertainment

• Hollywood Actresses Nobu McCarthy and Michi Kobi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Actress Nobu McCarthy is moving with her husband to Brazil to join a pioneer farming venture, while Michi Kobi discusses her Hollywood career and the limited roles available to Oriental actresses. Both have appeared in recent films.

Sports

• Madeline Miyamoto Selected to Represent U.S. at Under 21 World Fencing Tournament, by Toru Kanazawa, page 3. Fencer Madeline Miyamoto, a Fairleigh Dickinson University star, has been approved to represent the United States at the Under 21 World Fencing Championship in Germany if funding of about $4,000 can be raised. The article notes her strong collegiate record.
• Northern California Nisei Invitational Bowling Tournament Set, by Fred Tokata, page 3. The Northern California Nisei Invitational Bowling Tournament will be held in San Francisco on two weekends in January, with over $9,000 in prizes. Rules, handicaps, and the tournament committee are described.

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