A proposed history of the Issei, and JACL’s response to a new equal employment order

Vol. 52, No. 11, March 17, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

A proposed definitive history of the Issei, the immigrants of Japanese ancestry in the United States, led the front page. Larry Tajiri described the prospectus prepared by Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa and noted the support of JACL project chairman Shigeo Wakamatsu. Mike Masaoka wrote about President Kennedy’s new Executive Order on equal employment opportunity and recalled JACL’s long work for fair employment. A news story reported JACL’s support for the order. On page 4, K. Patrick Okura argued for a stronger JACL public relations program, and Saburo Kido continued his series on JACL’s early years.

Sports filled much of the issue, with full results from the 15th National JACL Bowling Tournament in San Jose and the award of the 1963 tournament to Long Beach. Chapter news came from Pasadena, Ventura County, Salt Lake, Sacramento and more. Another story followed Seattle’s debate over use of the term “Jap” in Life Magazine.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Issei Story Prospectus, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Larry Tajiri discusses Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa’s comprehensive prospectus for a definitive history of the Issei, commended by JACL project chairman Shigeo Wakamatsu. The column argues the Japanese American experience, including mass evacuation and the 442nd RCT, makes this an ideal subject for a landmark historical work.
• Employment Opportunities, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka’s newsletter column examines President Kennedy’s new Executive Order combining two Eisenhower committees into the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, with Secretary of Labor Goldberg given supervisory powers to combat racial discrimination in federal employment and government contracts. The column reviews JACL’s long history advocating for fair employment practices for Issei and Nisei since before World War II.
• Baseball Season in U.S. and Japan, by Dick Akagi, page 2. A column discussing Nisei baseball players in Japan’s professional leagues, including Bill Nishida and others from Hawaii and California playing for various Japanese teams. The piece covers five Nisei players across different Japanese baseball clubs.
• Designer of Stamp Dissatisfied, by Henry Mori, page 2. Henry Mori’s Los Angeles Newsletter column discusses a Nisei stamp designer in New York who was dissatisfied with how her commemorative stamp design was printed, despite spending over 10 months on the sketches. The column notes the printers made changes to her original design without her full input.
• Juvenile Delinquency, page 2. A commentary piece discusses concerns about juvenile delinquency in the Little Tokyo community, noting that civic leaders were investigating disturbing rumors about Sansei young girls. The piece argues preventive measures and youth programs are needed, noting that troubled youth often come from families where parents don’t show concern.
• FDR’s Inspiring Words, by Sharon Yasuda, page 2. A letter to the editor from Payette, Idaho requests help locating President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s quote on Americanism being a matter of heart and mind, not race, color, or creed, for a speech class assignment. The editor provides the actual quote from a 1943 letter Roosevelt wrote to the Secretary of War about loyal citizens’ rights regardless of ancestry.
• PR Program Needed: Recent Setbacks Highlight Challenges, by K. Patrick Okura, page 4. National 1st VP K. Patrick Okura’s column argues for a strong, aggressive JACL public relations program, citing the failed repeal of Washington’s Anti-Alien Land Law, a failed Colorado liquor licensing amendment for aliens, and Life Magazine’s defense of using the term ‘Jap’ as evidence of ongoing challenges. He also notes the successful defeat of the Lechner Resolution in California as a bright spot.

Sports

• Two Tourney Records Broken at National JACL Bowling Tournament, page 1. Tok Ishizawa and Judy Sakata, both of Los Angeles, won the men’s and women’s all-events championships respectively at the 15th National JACL Bowling Tournament in San Jose. JACL also honored Adelaide ‘Mom’ Stagbar of Honolulu for her efforts in eliminating racial membership restrictions in bowling, while new records were set in the women’s team and mixed doubles events.
• Long Beach to Host ’63 Kegfest; Premiere Lanes Designated as Site, page 1. The 17th National JACL Bowling Tournament in 1963 was awarded to the Southern California Nisei Bowling Association and Long Beach-Harbor District JACL, to be held at Premiere Lanes with headquarters at the Disneyland Hotel. The Advisory Board also heard updates on the 1962 tournament planned for Salt Lake City’s El Rancho Bowl under chairman Wat Misaka.
• JACL Bowling Tournament Records Broken; Ishizawa, Sakata Win All-Events Crowns, page 3. Detailed results from the National JACL Bowling Tournament in San Jose show Tok Ishizawa and Judy Sakata winning men’s and women’s all-events championships respectively, with complete listings of team, singles, and doubles results across multiple divisions. Angel Kageyama of Sacramento also rolled a perfect 300 game in a separate invitational tournament.
• 710 Series for Lady Bowler, page 3. Mrs. Shiz Nakazawa cracked the 700 barrier in the Nisei Ladies Classic at Holiday Bowl with games totaling 710, her first series over 700. Separately, Judy Sakata, expecting another child, bowled a 679 series at Norwalk Bowl in the Los Angeles Women’s Open Traveling League.
• Non-Nisei San Francisco Judo Team Wins State Championship Tourney, page 3. A powerful five-man team from the San Francisco Judo Institute captured the California state judo team championship at San Jose State’s men’s gym, defeating defending champions from Seinan Dojo. Twelve teams competed in the tournament chaired by Yosh Uchida.
• Kono Sets New Mark at Moscow Weightlifting Meet in Lt-Hvywt. Div., page 3. Tommy Kono, Olympic weightlifter from Hawaii and Sacramento, set a world record of 336.5 pounds in the press in light heavyweight competition at the Prize of Moscow competition. His effort bettered the previous record held by Russia’s Anatoli Zhitetsky.
• Narbonne Nisei Clears High Jump Bar at 6-3½, page 3. Sus Ito of Narbonne High won the high jump at a varsity track meet with Garfield, clearing 6 feet 3.5 inches, and also took the 120 high sticks while placing third in the 180 lows. Teammate Mike Mitoma won the 100 and the pole vault.

National

• JACL Applauds Kennedy’s Equal Employment Executive Order, page 1. The article details President Kennedy’s new Executive Order creating the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, which gives the committee power to investigate and punish discrimination by federal contractors and labor unions. It notes JACL’s historic support for fair employment legislation dating back to FDR’s 1941 FEPC and urges JACL to help implement the new order.
• 19,000 Issei Aliens in Hawaii, Says Consulate, page 1. A survey conducted by the local Japanese Consulate found 19,524 alien Japanese nationals living in Hawaii, with 10,792 female and 8,732 male. The Consulate estimates about 1,500 additional nationals failed to return questionnaires.
• JACL Represented at 30th National Housing Conference, page 1. Mike Masaoka, Washington representative, attended the 30th annual National Housing Conference representing National JACL, which featured speakers including HHFA Administrator Dr. Robert C. Weaver and several U.S. Senators and Congressmen. The conference focused on the goal of decent housing for all Americans regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin.
• Oregon Campus Bias Has ’63 Deadline, page 1. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education decided that racial and religious restrictions on membership in college campus groups will not be tolerated after January 1, 1963 at the University of Oregon and Oregon State College. Only three of 48 national fraternity chapters at both schools had not yet fully complied with demands to end discrimination.
• Seattle Has Another Test on Use of ‘Jap’, page 3. Local Seattle columnist Emmett Watson commented on the Pacific Citizen’s recent challenge to Life Magazine’s claim that the term ‘Jap’ is merely colloquial and not derogatory. The column cites eight leading dictionaries that define the term as implying contempt, hostility, and bigotry.

Community

• Bay Area Sansei Named to New Stanford Center Opening in Tokyo, page 1. Two Bay Area Sansei, Marilyn Domoto and Thomas Yoneda, were named among 17 students to study at the new Stanford University Center in Tokyo starting in April. Yoneda was the 1957 winner of the Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship.
• San Jose Police Report Few Nisei Crimes, page 1. Following concerns raised in Berkeley about alleged Nisei involvement in narcotics cases in San Jose, Lt. Leon R. Green of the San Jose Police Juvenile Division reported that no Nisei were involved in narcotics cases there in 1960. The letter detailed a small list of minor juvenile contacts among Japanese Americans out of roughly 450 juveniles contacted monthly.
• Pasadena JACL Names Irene Kobayashi as Relays Queen Candidate, page 1. Irene Kobayashi, a 17-year-old senior at John Muir High School, was named Pasadena JACL’s candidate for the 1961 Nisei Relays queen contest. She is active in school clubs, rode on the American Trucking Co. float in the Tournament of Roses, and the chapter also held an installation dinner for new officers.
• William Enomoto Named to San Mateo County Grand Jury, page 1. William H. Enomoto, a Redwood City flower grower and former national JACL treasurer, was selected to serve on the San Mateo County grand jury for 1961. He is the second Redwood City Nisei to serve on such a jury, following Richard N. Arimoto about a decade earlier.
• Ventura County JACL Installs Tsugi Kanamori as 1961 President, page 1. The Ventura County JACL held its annual installation dinner-dance in Oxnard, with outgoing president Willis Hirata introducing guest speaker Ronald Shiozaki. Shiozaki installed Tsugi Kanamori as the new chapter president along with other newly elected officers.
• Mam Noji Elected to Apple Grower Assn. Board, page 1. Mamoru Noji, a longtime JACLer and Mid-Columbia JACL Issei Story project chairman, was elected to the Apple Growers Association board of directors in Hood River, Oregon. Noji previously served as the first postwar president of the Mid-Columbia chapter.
• Parlier JACLers Urged to File for School Board Vacancies, page 1. George Hirata, a member of the Parlier Unified School District board, urged JACLers to take more active interest in their school district and consider running for one of three upcoming school board vacancies. The Parlier Auxiliary also held various activities including a cooking demonstration and visits to senior homes.
• Ex-CCDC Chairman Throws Hat Into School Election, page 1. Dr. James K. Nagatani, a Nisei dentist and former chairman of the Central California JACL District Council, announced his candidacy for the Delano Elementary School District Board. He has served on citizens advisory committees and is co-chairman of the Delano Lions sight conservation committee.
• Nisei Runs Unopposed, page 1. Toshio Sakai has filed for reelection to the Walnut Grove District School board of trustees and is currently unopposed for the April 18 election. The announcement came from the county superintendent of schools.
• Livingston Farmers Elect ’61 Officers, page 1. Peach and grape growers in the Livingston Farmers Association elected new leadership, with manager Buddy Iwata reporting the group had its best year since organization despite low gross income. The association ships fruit under the ‘Pride of Livingston’ name and operates packing, storage, and marketing facilities.
• Sumitomo Bank in New San Francisco Head Office Monday, page 2. The Sumitomo Bank of California celebrated the opening of its new head office at 365 California St. in San Francisco, with Mayor George Christopher participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The bank, established in 1953, has grown its deposits from $5 million to over $41 million by the end of 1960.
• Eastside Community Nursery to Hold Japanese Festival, page 2. The Heights Cooperative Nursery School in Los Angeles’s Eastside will present a Japanese Children’s Festival featuring Mitsu Bando’s Dancing School, magic acts by Mitsuye Suzuki, and storytelling by Mrs. Rosie Sakamoto. Children will sing Japanese songs accompanied by a 9-year-old accordionist.
• Nisei Nurse to Speak on Care of Heart Patients, page 2. Mrs. Betty Kurihara, a nurse at a San Francisco hospital and JACL member, will speak on pre- and post-operative vascular surgery care at an annual nurses institute sponsored by the Heart Association. Her husband Koji serves as San Francisco JACL treasurer.
• Eden Township Juniors to Hear Mas Satow, page 2. The Eden Township Jr. JACL will have National Director Mas Satow as guest speaker at an upcoming meeting in Oakland. Youth delegates to the recent NC-WNDC meeting in Contra Costa county are also scheduled to report.
• Cincinnati JACL Board Plans Year of Events, page 3. The Cincinnati JACL board announced chairmen for a full year of community events including a potluck dinner, bowling party, city-wide festival, picnic, and installation dinner, aimed at improving public relations and intergroup relationships. Several events are co-sponsored with the local Hawaiian Club.
• San Francisco Jr. JACL Planning to Make Film, page 3. The San Francisco Jr. JACL will meet to discuss the ‘Panel of Americans’ program and a project to finance a film on the same subject, including a variety show planned for May 6. Various committee members will report on recent NC-WNDC meetings, constitution matters, and membership drives.
• Obituary: San Mateo Nisei Dies, page 3. George H. Yamaguchi, 49, who starred as a halfback with the San Francisco Shows and was a prominent athlete at San Mateo High in the late 1920s, died of cerebral hemorrhage on March 5. He had long been associated with the dry cleaning business and is survived by his wife, two children, parents and brothers Kunio and Saiki.
• Salt Lake JACL Expects to Announce New All-Time Membership High at Social, page 3. The Salt Lake Chapter membership committee planned a ‘March Round-Up Hoe-Down’ themed social event to celebrate what they hope will be an all-time high membership record. The event features square-dancing, chuck-wagon food, decorations, and various committee members organizing entertainment.
• West L.A. JACL Signs Santa Monica Mayor, Councilman as New Members, page 3. The West Los Angeles JACL welcomed Santa Monica Mayor J. William Peacock and Councilman Karl Rundberg as new chapter members. The chapter also screened a narcotics film with Alpha Iota Pi fraternity and heard from Sgt. Stanley Uno about juvenile problems facing the community.
• Sacramento JACL Announces 14 Standing Committees, page 3. Chapter president Tad Toyota announced the formation of 14 standing committees covering areas such as public relations, finance, membership, and social events for the Sacramento JACL. Various chairmen and committee members were named for each area of responsibility.
• Downtown L.A. JACL Meets on Li’l Tokio Redevelopment, page 4. The Li’l Tokio Redevelopment Problem was discussed with City Councilman Roybal by members of the Downtown Los Angeles JACL at a special luncheon meeting at Sin Kwo Low restaurant. Chapter president Soichi Fukui was in charge of the meeting.
• Harbor Community Center Renovation by JACL Underway, by Ruby Mio, page 4. Over 60 volunteers gathered at the Harbor Community Center in Long Beach to give the building a much-needed face-lifting, including power-washing walls, painting, and cleaning. Fujinkai members prepared food for the workers, and another workday was planned to complete the project with accoustical ceiling and lighting improvements still needed.
• Chapters Staging Easter Egg Hunts for Community Children, page 4. Multiple JACL chapters including Chicago, Sequoia, and Southwest L.A. announced plans for community Easter egg hunts with games, prizes, and refreshments for children of all backgrounds. The Chicago event is being co-sponsored with several community groups including the Olivet Community Center.
• Tulare County Chapter Cancels Benefit Movie, page 4. The Tulare County JACL benefit movie has been cancelled and a chapter fund-raising campaign is now underway instead. Results will be announced when the local JACL Bowling League has its awards dinner at the Orosi Memorial Hall.
• San Fernando Valley JACLer Surprised with ‘This Is Your Life’ Tribute, by Sue Ogimachi, page 4. Veteran JACLer Fred Muto was surprised with a ‘This Is Your Life’ themed birthday celebration produced by Mary Arimoto at a San Fernando Valley JACL meeting, highlighting his 48 years and decades of JACL service. He received the JACL Silver Pin for 10 years of outstanding service, having helped reactivate the chapter after WWII evacuation.
• Reedley Chapter Picnic This Sunday, page 4. The annual Japanese community picnic sponsored by Reedley JACL will be held with Hiro Togioka and Hiromi Shimizu in charge, featuring races and special events for all family members. Multiple committee members were assigned responsibilities for prizes, food, and logistics.
• Bakersfield JACL Slates Mar. 26 Skating Party, page 4. The Bakersfield JACL Ways and Means committee, chaired by Mrs. Guy Murotani, announced a fund-raising skating party at Skateland with admission of 85 cents per person. Committee members were selling tickets in advance of the event.
• Mt. Olympus JACL Honors Issei at Fun-Packed Program, page 4. The Mt. Olympus JACL held its annual Issei Appreciation Night at the South Salt Lake City Hall, with 160 attendees honoring Issei contributions through a youth-organized program of songs, dances, and skits. The chapter also voted to incorporate under Utah state law, with various humorous awards given to Issei attendees including one for ‘least hair’ who received a hair brush.
• Placer County JACL Revives Bass Derby, page 4. Placer County JACL decided to revive its bass fishing derby, to be held over a weekend in early April as an open event with many prizes prepared for winners. Weigh-ins will be held at the JACL Hall in Penryn, with registration available at several local stores.
• East L.A. JACL Changes Emerald Ball Locale, page 4. The East Los Angeles JACL announced a new location at the Mart on Broadway for its seventh annual Emerald Ball, to be held May 27 with music by Aaron Gonzales and his orchestra. Proceeds will benefit the chapter scholarship fund supporting students at Roosevelt and Garfield High schools.

JACL

• Chuman to Address Portland JACL Mar. 26, page 1. National JACL President Frank Chuman will interrupt his flight home from the Pacific Northwest District Council meeting in Seattle to have a dinner meeting with Portland JACLers on March 26. Chuman is anxious to meet with all community leaders.
• Appoint John Yoshino, Aki Sano Delegates to Nat’l Civil Liberties Clearing House Meet, page 1. National JACL President Frank Chuman announced that John Yoshino and Aki Sano will represent the organization at the 13th Annual National Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference in Washington, D.C. Speakers will include Thurgood Marshall, Harris Wofford, and Dore Schary discussing civil rights, media, and religious freedom topics.
• PSWDC Hi-Co Conference Slated Apr. 21-23 at Verdugo Hills Site, page 3. The PSWDC-sponsored Hi-Co Youth Conference for high school and college students will be held at Camp Max Straus in the Verdugo Hills, featuring career discussions, panel sessions, and social activities. The conference aims to acquaint youth with leadership opportunities and Japanese American cultural heritage.

Incarceration & Redress

• Cal-Vet Rights May Be Extended to Nisei Evacuee Veterans, page 2. A bill introduced by Sen. Fred Farr would extend state GI benefits to Nisei veterans who enlisted after being forced to evacuate from California during World War II, even if they had received bonuses from other states. The measure is now in the Assembly.

In-Depth

• Living with JACL: 1932 L.A. Convention, Part IV, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Saburo Kido continues his historical series on JACL’s early years, covering 1931 efforts to amend the 1924 Exclusion Act affecting Japanese immigration and the Los Angeles chapter’s membership campaign and leadership changes. The piece also details the first Pacific Northwest District Council convention held in Seattle and preparations for the 1932 national convention in Los Angeles.

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