A four-page issue: Masaoka’s speech on Japan and the Issei Story Project

Vol. 53, No. 23, December 8, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The American image of Japan led this four-page issue. With Mike Masaoka away in Japan, the paper printed a speech by Assistant Secretary of State Walter P. McConaughy in place of the Washington Newsletter, in two parts, tracing how Americans have viewed Japan over time. The Issei Story Project also made the front page: UCLA offered to take a major role, with JACL expected to raise $100,000 by July 1, 1962, and November gifts brought the fund to $30,877.72. Saburo Kido’s column recalled the 1940 JACL convention in Portland.

Other pages carried Larry Tajiri on sculptor Shinkichi Tajiri’s life in Amsterdam, and Tamotsu Murayama on Japanese car import rules and their effect on Nisei businessmen. Chapter news ran throughout: JACL 1000 Club membership reached 1,512, the Los Angeles Christmas Cheer drive passed $1,900, and several chapters announced New Year’s Eve events. Cincinnati’s JACL also urged readers to avoid the word “Jap.”

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• American Image of Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Assistant Secretary of State Walter P. McConaughy’s speech on the American image of Japan is reprinted in place of the Washington Newsletter while Masaoka is in Japan. The address traces how Americans historically viewed Japan and how the nation’s industrial preoccupations shaped that view.
• Pacific Citizen Topics: Japanese Car Import Policy Hits Nisei, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama discusses how Japanese government car import regulations have cast suspicion on innocent Nisei businessmen after some Issei attempted to illegally import cars. He argues that the innocent are being punished for the misdeeds of a few.
• Credits in ‘Beauty Behind Barbed Wire’, by Allen Eaton, page 2. Allen Eaton corrects photo credits in his book Beauty Behind Barbed Wire, noting that two Amache photographs were taken by Tomoo Ogita rather than Jack McClelland. He explains that Ogita had worked in the camp’s Documents Section and had provided his negatives.
• A ‘Displaced’ Nisei in Amsterdam, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Shinkichi Tajiri, a Nisei sculptor who left the United States after WWII, describes his life and work in Amsterdam and Arnhem. He discusses his memorial sculpture dedicated to his wife and his reflections on his displaced status.
• Property Tax on Farm Land May Be Lowered, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Proposition 4 would base property tax assessment for farm land on agricultural use, relieving Nisei nursery owners affected by encroaching urban development. The measure is discussed as a benefit to affected farmers.

Incarceration & Redress

• UCLA Reveals Interest in Issei Story Project, by P.C. Staff, page 1. UCLA has offered to take a major role in the project to compile the story of Japanese in America, providing prestige, material aid, and help raising funds. JACL is expected to raise $100,000 by July 1, 1962 while UCLA covers costs beyond that amount.

Obituaries

• Pioneer Central Cal Woman, Mrs. Kebo, Dies at 69, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Chiye Kebo of Sanger died Nov. 25 after a long illness, having come to Fresno County with her husband in 1909. She is survived by four sons and 13 grandchildren.

Community

• Gardena Issei Couple Establish Charity Trust, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Enosuke S. Amemiya, who came to America as a poor 17-year-old, donated $100,000 to establish a charitable trust. Funds will aid the Buddhist Church of Japan, disaster victims, and specific charities.
• Silver Antelope Award Given to Loomis Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jack Yokote, Loomis Troop 12 scoutmaster and skipper of Sea Scout Ship 12, received the Silver Antelope award at ceremonies in Las Vegas. He is believed to be only the second person in Northern California to receive this regional honor.
• IDYC Youth Plan to Charter Bus for Seattle Parley, by Kris Inouye, page 1. The Intermountain District Youth Council met in Blackfoot, Idaho, and discussed chartering a bus to the national JACL convention in Seattle next year. Members were asked to express their interest to chairman Ben Kawakami.
• Panel of Americans Film Given to National JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose Jr. JACL presented the Panel of Americans film to the National JACL Youth Committee during the NCWNDC session. The chapters also agreed to form a District Youth Council and to sponsor dances benefiting the Issei Story Project.
• Canada Home for Aged Issei Overcrowded, Seek Funds for Extension, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nipponia Home for the Aged in Toronto is seeking funds for an immediate extension adding three single and three double bedrooms at an estimated cost of $22,000. The home currently houses five women and 11 men at capacity.
• Chinese Miffed by South Africa Ruling, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Members of Cape Town’s Chinese community demanded the same white status granted to Japanese in South Africa. The government considers Chinese a separate racial group and plans separate residential areas for them.
• Utah 1000 Clubber Elected to Board, by P.C. Staff, page 1. J.J. Wagner, president of Wagner Bag Co. and a 1000 Club life member, was elected to the Utah Manufacturers Association board of directors.
• Non-Japanese Protest to Editor Effective, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Hoshi Sugawara, editor of the Cincinnati JACL newsletter, reports that when non-Japanese express the view that the use of ‘Jap’ should be avoided, it proves more effective. She publicly thanked a local resident who wrote to newspapers on the issue.
• Issei Story Project Fund Receives $2,206 During November, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Finance chairman Kiyoshi Togasaki reported that November contributions and pledges to the JACL Issei Story Project totaled $2,206, bringing the total to $30,877.72. Individual donors are acknowledged.
• Silver Pins Awarded to Two Cincinnati JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Marnelle Watanabe and Jim Takeuchi received the JACL Silver Pin for their service to the Cincinnati chapter. Watanabe has served as PC representative and membership chairman, while Takeuchi organized English classes for Issei.
• D.C. JACLers Hear Civil Defense Talk on Fallout Shelter, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Albert Nathan of the D.C. Office of Civil Defense addressed the Washington D.C. JACL chapter on radioactive fallout survival and shelter construction. He explained radiation types, recommended shelter materials and supplies, and described warning signals.
• D.C. Bazaar Response Excellent, Nets $900, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Aki-no-Ichi bazaar in October netted the Washington D.C. JACL $948.28 against total receipts of $1,781.50, according to finance chairman Joe Ichiuji. The community response was described as excellent.
• Sano-Higuchi Marriage, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Emily Higuchi and Akira Sano were married Nov. 25 at Grace Reformed Church in Washington, D.C. Higuchi has been active with the Washington chapter as historian and PC correspondent.
• Thousand Club Passes 1,500 Mark for All-Time High, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL 1000 Club reached a new high of 1,512 members, announced by national chairman Frank Hattori. Hattori hopes to reach 2,000 members by the national convention in Seattle July 26-30.
• Non-Japanese Protest to Editor Effective, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Cincinnati JACL editor Hoshi Sugawara reports that a non-Japanese writer’s objection to the word ‘Jap’ carried more weight with newspapers. An editor at the Cincinnati Enquirer agreed the term should be avoided.
• Chicago Dance Crew Interview, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Feature piece on Nisei life and community activities in the Midwest and Eastern cities. The article covers local chapter events and personal profiles.
• New Site Selected for San Francisco JACL’s New Year’s Eve Party, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco JACL moved its New Year’s Eve party to a new site in the Top of the Brass club. The new location offers more danceable space in response to past complaints.
• Contra Costa Elects Sumio Yoshii Head, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sumio Yoshii was unanimously elected president of the Contra Costa Japanese American Citizens League. Other officers and committee members for the coming year were also named.
• Salt Lake Bowling Tournament Names Committee Heads, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tournament committee personnel were named for the 16th annual National JACL Bowling Tournament in Salt Lake City. Wat Misaka serves as tournament chairman with assistance from numerous volunteers.
• Christmas Cheer Donations Pass $1,900, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles JACL Christmas Cheer drive has received contributions totaling $1,911.23, or 63 percent of its $3,000 goal. Gift items are due by Dec. 17 for packing day.
• Dominican Group Returns to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A second group of Japanese families from the Dominican Republic returned to Japan aboard the OSK Santos Maru. The article describes the settlement situation and the return voyage.
• Cincinnati JACL Aids Cystic Fibrosis Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cincinnati JACL set up a Japanese teahouse booth at the Cincinnati Gardens to support the Cystic Fibrosis Drive. Visitors were served tea and Japanese refreshments.
• Omaha JACL Nominations for 1962-63, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Omaha JACL announced its slate of candidates for 1962-63 chapter offices and opened a mail ballot. Nominees include Watanabe for president and Mike Oshima for first vice president.
• Florin Chapter Two-Day Bass Derby Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The annual Florin JACL bass derby will be held Dec. 16-17 with weigh-in at Florin Japanese Community Center. Chairman Oscar Inouye announced the event details.
• Selma Nisei Bowls 300 in Unsanctioned Play, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tosh Namba of Selma bowled a 300 game in unsanctioned play at the Rancho Lanes. The article describes the achievement and the bowling alley setting.
• San Mateo Nisei Awarded Silver Beaver Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Frank Tsunoda of San Mateo was among nine San Franciscans to receive the Scouting Silver Beaver award at the area council appreciation dinner. He has been active with Troop 12 and other scouting programs.
• New Year’s Eve Dance Starts With Steaks, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Jose JACL will sponsor a New Year’s Eve dance at Hawaiian Gardens Terrace Room, preceded by a New York steak dinner. Tickets are $8 per person for the combined event.
• Nisei Halfback at Reedley College Leads in Season Scoring, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eddie Miyamoto of Selma led Reedley College in both rushing and scoring during the football season. He returned punts and caught passes for the Tigers.
• Sacramento City College Thumps Fullerton in Orange Show Bowl, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ron Minamide led Sacramento City College to a 27-7 victory over Fullerton in the Orange Show Bowl, scoring on a 26-yard run and other plays. He was the team’s primary offensive threat.
• Festival Introduces Japanese Culture to Many St. Louisans, by Jim Higashi, page 4. The St. Louis JACL held a successful Full Moon Festival at the Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel, introducing Japanese culture and cuisine to hundreds of attendees. Organizers reported strong attendance and a net profit of about $1,300.
• Living with JACL: 1940 Portland Convention, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Kido recalls the 1940 Portland JACL national convention, which adopted resolutions affirming loyalty to the United States and backing national defense. He describes the convention’s proportional representation debate and elections.
• Long Beach JACL Installation Fete Tomorrow, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Long Beach Harbor District JACL will hold an installation dinner-dance at the Apple Valley Steak House on Dec. 9. Speaker Keith Houdyshell will address American-Japanese relations at the event.

Military & Veterans

• Inouye to Keep Up Campaign of Rebuke to Draft Evaders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Daniel K. Inouye says he will continue rebuking young men who try to avoid military service, warning that the nation is going soft. He describes his own wartime service and his practice of handling transfer requests for servicemen with hardship cases.
• Masaoka: Japan’s Nation Rising, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. This installment of Masaoka’s speech on the American image of Japan traces how the Tokyo earthquake and Japanese baseball and cultural figures shaped American perceptions. It concludes that America went to war with Japan without truly understanding the Japanese.

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