Vol. 53, No. 18, November 3, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
The word ‘Jap’ ran through this four-page issue. The Pacific Citizen reported that Canadian Nisei were working to end its use, in step with JACL’s campaign in the United States, and Rick Matsumoto of the New Canadian answered a Vancouver columnist who called the term friendly slang. JACL also opened a nationwide drive to fund a history of the Japanese in the United States, aiming to raise at least $100,000 toward an estimated $400,000. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered the Soviet nuclear test and fallout, and Richard Akagi’s column looked at the Issei story project.
Elsewhere, the Northern California Western Nevada District Council set its meeting in San Jose, and Congressman Daniel K. Inouye warned that Americans were turning soft. Chapter news included the Fowler JACL float and the Dayton festival, along with Saburo Kido’s recollections of the 1938 Los Angeles convention and a testimonial for Judge Stephen K. Tamura.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- President’s Corner: Crews Fighting Chance in Community, page 1. The president urges chapter members to organize well-planned meetings that attract community leaders and members. Careful planning and publicity can increase attendance and strengthen JACL’s role in the community.
- Eliminating the Term ‘Jap’ in Canada and the United States, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Citizen notes Canadian Nisei efforts to end use of the word ‘Jap,’ paralleling JACL’s campaign in the US. It reports discrimination against Canadian Nisei and encourages cooperation between Nisei from both countries.
- Washington Newsletter: Soviet Nuclear Test and Fall-out, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka reports on the Soviet Union’s massive nuclear test and the global threat of radioactive fallout. The column includes a question-and-answer explainer on fallout effects on human health.
- Don’t Be Stuffy About Slang: Vancouver Columnist Views ‘Jap’ as Friendly, but Nisei Rebuts, by Rick Matsumoto, page 2. The New Canadian reprinted a Vancouver Sun column arguing that ‘Jap’ is a friendly colloquialism. English editor Rick Matsumoto replied that the term carries prejudice and recalls wartime evacuation.
- People Not Likely to Be Interviewed for the Issei Story, by Richard Akagi, page 2. Richard Akagi’s column in the River series discusses Issei individuals who are unlikely to be interviewed for the project. It reflects on the challenges of documenting community history.
Community
- San Jose to Host NC-WNDC Meeting; Election on Agenda, page 1. The final meeting of the JACL Northern California Western Nevada District Council will be held Nov. 12 at Hotel De Anza in San Jose. The agenda includes a review of the JACL 1960-1970 National Planning Commission recommendations and the annual district election.
- Detroit 1000 Club Member Heads UN Observance, page 1. Dr. Joseph D. Sasaki of the Detroit JACL 1000 Club chaired United Nations Day observances held at Ann Arbor High School. The event aimed to inform citizens about the work of the UN.
- Loomis Fruit Rancher Heads County Fair Assn., page 1. George Hayashida, a Loomis fruit rancher, was elected president of the Placer County Fair Association. He has long served on the association’s executive board.
- New Yorker Honored for 11 Years Service, page 1. Tokichi Matsuoka, who retired as president of the Japanese American Association of New York, was honored at a testimonial dinner. Congratulatory messages were received from national JACL leaders.
- Housing Info for Seattle World’s Fair Runs 6,000 a Week, page 2. The Century 21 Expo lodging office reports heavy demand for housing, peaking in July and August. Seattle residents are asked to rent extra rooms to accommodate summer visitors.
- Christmas Cheer at 29% Mark with $864, page 2. The Christmas Cheer Committee in Los Angeles reports donations reaching 29 percent of its $3,000 goal. Contributions from local chapters and organizations are listed.
- Northwest Picture: What Seattle Encounters by Next Summer, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. Elmer Ogawa’s Northwest Picture column previews the influx of visitors Seattle expects during the World’s Fair. It describes preparations the city is making for the summer season.
- Nisei Club Manager Attends Idaho Workshop, page 2. Kaz Kimura, manager of the University Club in Seattle, attended a three-day workshop of the Club Managers Association. The executive session was held at Hayden Lake Country Club in Idaho.
- Fowler JACL Float Wins Sweepstakes, page 3. The Fowler JACL float won sweepstakes and first place in the community organizations division of the Fowler Fall Festival parade. Amy Tokubu was crowned festival queen at the Friday night football game.
- Housing Bias Case Settled Before Trial, page 3. A housing discrimination case in San Jose was settled before trial. The complaint concerned discriminatory sales practices in a subdivision.
- Cal Poly Students Pledged by Scarabs, page 3. Nisei students Toshitsugu Arakawa and Art Kishiyama were pledged to Scarab, the architectural fraternity at Cal Poly. The honor recognizes their academic achievement.
- Superior Court Judge Tamura of Orange County Honored, page 4. Orange County JACL held a testimonial dinner honoring newly appointed Superior Court Judge Stephen K. Tamura. Some 350 people attended, including state officials and judges.
- Dayton’s Festival of the October Moon Draws Large Crowd, by Yoshitaka Yoshida, page 4. The Dayton JACL chapter held its first large public relations event, the Festival of the October Moon, which served chicken teriyaki to 450 people. Entertainment and ikebana displays were featured, and Mayor Patterson attended.
- Guy Murofuji to Head Bakersfield JACL, page 4. Guy Murofuji was elected president of the Bakersfield JACL chapter, succeeding Joe Ono. Other officers were named for the coming year.
- Bill Mimbu Nominated for Seattle JACL Presidency, page 4. William Y. Mimbu, a former secretary to the National Board, was nominated to head the 1962 Seattle JACL slate as president. Other candidates for various offices were also named.
National
- Americans ‘Turning Soft,’ Says 442nd Hero Congressman Inouye, page 1. Hawaii Congressman Daniel K. Inouye warned that Americans are turning soft at a time when the nation needs more backbone. He criticized letters from constituents seeking ways to evade the draft.
- American-Japanese Relations Aspire to New Plateau as Cabinet Members Confer, page 1. Cabinet members from the United States and Japan met at Fujiyama for the first joint economic committee meeting. The talks focus on trade and economic relations between the two countries.
JACL
- Convention Oratorical Contest Rules Announced, page 1. The JACL convention board announced rules for the national oratorical contest, including a $200 scholarship and trophy for the winner. Contestants compete through district council eliminations with judging criteria emphasizing content and delivery.
- Nationwide Campaign Opens for JACL Issei Story Project, page 1. JACL launched a nationwide fundraising drive for a comprehensive history of the Japanese in the United States. The project aims to raise at least $100,000 toward an estimated $400,000 budget.
- Living with JACL: 1938 L.A. Convention, Part IX, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Saburo Kido recalls the 1938 JACL national convention in Los Angeles, including the constitutional revisions and the resolutions adopted. The resolutions addressed citizenship rights, dual citizenship, and related issues.
Sports
- Four Southland Nisei Golfers Compete in Japan for International Goodwill, page 3. Four Nisei golfers from the Southland are traveling to Japan for an international goodwill tournament. The competition is part of a series of matches between American and Japanese golfers.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.