Vol. 62, No. 12, March 25, 1966. 4 pages. View this issue
Thirty bilingual Issei and Nisei trained at UCLA to interview Issei across the Los Angeles area, and the front page of this four-page issue followed that survey. Professor Gene N. Levine, Joe Grant Masaoka and Yasuo Sakata told the new interviewers to be friendly but objective and to keep every reply confidential. Other front-page news covered a Long Beach banquet honoring community leaders, where William Marutani will speak about his civil rights work in Bogalusa, and Pacific Northwest chapters raising money to repeal Washington’s alien land law.
Also inside: Mike Masaoka on two books about the Evacuation, Bill Hosokawa on Nisei architect Kyo Izumi, and Harry K. Honda on trouble in Watts. A history series reaches Commodore Perry’s arrival in Japan. Page three reports on Nisei appointments, and Junior JACL convention plans for San Diego fill page four.
What’s in this issue
Community
- More Issei to Be Interviewed in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thirty bilingual Issei and Nisei attended a UCLA training session to become interviewers for an expanded survey of the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Survey Area. Project leaders stressed confidentiality, objectivity, and careful translation during the interviews.
- PSW to Recognize Nikkei Leaders at Long Beach Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s Pacific Southwest District Council will honor community leaders of Japanese ancestry at a April 30 banquet in Long Beach. Chapters were asked to nominate candidates, and William Marutani will speak about his civil rights work in Bogalusa.
- Shimasaki Nominated for National JACL 3rd Vice-President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council nominated Tom Shimasaki of Tulare County JACL for National JACL third vice-president. His long record of JACL and civic service was cited by the council.
- PNW Chapters Push Efforts to Meet $20,000 SJR 20 Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pacific Northwest chapters have raised $8,725 toward the SJR 20 fund drive to repeal Washington’s alien land law. Seattle, White River Valley, Puyallup Valley and Spokane JACL chapters reported their contributions and planned fundraising.
- Co-ed Who Wants to Become a Lawyer Crowned Cherry Blossom Queen, by Richard Gima, page 2. Sandra Mie Shimokawa, a University of Hawaii sophomore from Wailuku, Maui, was crowned 1966 Cherry Blossom Festival queen in Honolulu. Runners-up and award winners were also named, and the queen won a trip to Japan.
- Nisei Appointed Poverty War Head in Sonoma County, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George T. Kurata, a Nisei veteran of the 442nd who later worked for United Nations agencies, was unanimously chosen to lead Sonoma County’s war on poverty. He previously served as comptroller for Hills Brothers Furnace Co.
- Yori Wada Resigns CYA Post for YMCA, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yori Wada resigned his California Youth Authority board position to return as executive secretary of the Buchanan Street YMCA. He said he preferred working with youth before they get into trouble.
- Canadian Nisei Student Files for UBC Chancellor Post, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Randall K. Enomoto, a 21-year-old Japanese Canadian student, filed nomination papers to run against fishing industry leader John M. Buchanan for chancellor of the University of British Columbia. He argues the university is run with too much secrecy.
- Convention Deadlines Stare San Diego Committees in the Face, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Junior JACL convention committees have set deadlines for youth registration, package deals, and lodging requests. Members are urged to meet deadlines for booklet material and talent show planning.
- Bank of Tokyo of California Notes Growth, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Bank of Tokyo of California reported assets growth in 1965 and expanded its services. Its record year was highlighted in the annual report.
National
- Maryland Senate Votes to Repeal Anti-Miscegenation Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Reversing an earlier defeat, the Maryland Senate voted to repeal the state’s 305-year-old ban on interracial marriage. The bill now goes to the House of Delegates.
In-Depth
- 100th Anniversary of Okei’s Death Due; Feudal Lord’s Descendant Visits Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ichiro Matsudaira, descendant of the Aizu feudal lord, visited the Gold Hill grave of Okei, a Japanese girl who died in 1871. Matsudaira expressed interest in marking the 100th anniversary of her death with the Aizu society in Tokyo.
- Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This installment recounts Commodore Perry’s arrival in Japan, the presentation of the President’s letter, and the Shogunate’s debate over isolation. It describes the negotiations and gift exchanges leading to the 1854 Treaty of Amity.
Commentary
- Jr. JACL Constitution, by Rich Kawasaki, page 1. Kawasaki proposes revisions to the draft Junior JACL constitution, including a vice-president post and removal of associate membership provisions. He also argues for proportional chapter representation at the San Diego convention.
- Editor’s Desk: New Trouble in Watts, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor reflects on a shop disturbance that drew fears of renewed unrest in Watts after the 1965 riots. He hopes the March 15 trouble does not undo the goodwill rebuilding the community.
- Washington Newsletter: 2 Documentary Books on Evacuation Nearly Finished, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports that books by Captain Allan Bosworth and former WRA director Dillon Myer on the Evacuation are nearing publication. He asks readers for photographs and names of distinguished Japanese Americans for a listing.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes Kyo Izumi, a Nisei architect who took LSD to understand schizophrenia and designed a psychiatric hospital around the experience. He also reflects on the scarcity of knowledge about the Evacuation among younger generations.
JACL
- Miss NC-WNDYC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Miss NC-WNDYC will be crowned April 16 at the Oakland Buddhist Church at a dressy sports coronation dance. The event is part of the Northern California-Western Nevada district youth activities.
Military & Veterans
- 442nd Vet Directs Bay Area Council for Social Planning, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Paul Akana, a Los Angeles-born 442nd veteran, became executive director of the Bay Area Council for Social Planning. His background includes social work teaching and health and welfare administration.
Incarceration & Redress
- Evangeline Spurs Writer to Tell of J.C. Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Canadian author Jessie L. Beattie has written Strength for the Bridge, a novel about Japanese Canadians and their wartime removal. The book covers settlement in British Columbia and the injustice of the evacuation.
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