Nisei veterans, a Canadian claim and the right of dissent

Vol. 65, No. 1, July 7, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

The right of dissent was a main subject of this six-page issue. Circuit Judge Masato Doi told a Nisei veterans reunion that defending it should be the next battle, and he pointed to the prejudice Nisei faced in World War II. A claim against the Canadian government for an Issei’s property sold during the war, brought by Torazo Iwasaki, also made the front page. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote about his trip East and the “enryo” habit among Nisei, and the 1968 National Convention in San Jose began its one-year countdown.

Other pages carry Alan Kumamoto on a human relations youth workshop, Russ Obana on young people today, and Yosh Hotta’s memories of Monterey. Henry Saburo Tatsumi examined Japan’s part in the Vietnam war, and a Nisei neurosurgeon described his year in Saigon. Readers’ letters take up mixed-race children and the word “buddahead.”

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Journey East, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto previews his trip to the Eastern District and reflects on the ‘enryo’ syndrome and its effects on Nisei and JACL’s public image. He argues that Nisei should more actively support the fight for equality for all minorities.
• Old Monterey, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. The columnist recalls his youth in Monterey and reminisces about the town’s pine trees, coastline, and early JACL chapter gatherings. He concludes with appreciation for the warm hospitality of the local chapter’s ladies’ auxiliary.
• Cultural Values, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui argues that preserving Japanese cultural values, such as respect for the elderly, matters more than teaching crafts like ikebana and judo. He suggests the Japanese American community should share its cultural contributions with America rather than abandoning them.
• Let It Begin with Me, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto describes his role on the professional staff of the 17th Annual Brotherhood U.S.A. Human Relations Youth Workshop of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He recounts the daily schedule and the workshop’s goal of bringing high school students of different backgrounds together.
• Rule of Law, by Ellen Iwataki, page 4. Iwataki, a Fremont High student from Oakland, reflects on Teddy Roosevelt’s principle that no man is above or below the law. She argues that law is the foundation of democracy and equality.
• Sounding Board: Youth Today, by Russ Obana, page 4. National JACL Youth Council Chairman Russ Obana addressed San Jose Junior JACL on the crisis of youth alienation and the need for better communication across generations. He urged Japanese American youth to become more involved in their communities.
• Who Are We?, by Dr. Dave Los Mochi, page 6. The writer reflects on the Issei pioneers who built agricultural industries and businesses across the West despite prejudice and hardship. He argues that their courage and hard work provide the foundation of the Sansei identity.
• ‘Buddaheads’, by Harry K. Shin, page 6. A reader writes in objection to Jerry Enomoto’s use of the term ‘buddahead,’ which he considers derogatory and unintelligent for a JACL president. He argues that Japanese Americans should avoid using the term in public.
• Mixed blood children, by Fred Hirasuna, page 6. A reader responds to a Copley News Service article describing mixed-blood children in Japan as the ‘new untouchables.’ He argues that Nisei prejudice against mixed-race children is unjustified and reflects an inherited Japanese bias.

Community

• San Jose starts national convention countdown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose chapter plans a quarterly Northern California-Western Nevada district council meeting and a series of events marking one year before the 1968 National Convention. Planned activities include a coronation ball, golf tournament, bridge tournament, and civil rights panel.
• Credit union goes to data processing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL Credit Union is converting its bookkeeping to data processing through Crocker Citizens National Bank. The change is expected to reduce treasurer Ichiro Sugiyama’s bookkeeping time by 75 percent.
• Inagaki will rest at home, no visitors yet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former National JACL president George Inagaki reported from his hospital bed that he is recovering from a June 30 heart attack and plans to return home. He has been prescribed complete rest and thanked well-wishers.
• Oakland Nisei victims in Hongkong plane crash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank F. Ono, a King Jr. High music teacher from Oakland, died in the June 30 Thai International Airways crash into Kowloon Bay while leading a tour group. His wife Toshi was among those listed as missing.
• Eden Township JACL award plan starts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eden Township JACL presented its first Achievement Awards, with Marvin S. Kobori receiving $100 and Dave Shibata receiving $50. Kobori, a Pacific High graduate planning to study pre-dental at UC, was also the chapter’s nominee for national JACL scholarships.

JACL

• Four candidates seek Miss Nat’l JACL crown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four candidates have been named for the 1968 National Convention Queen, to be crowned at the San Jose coronation ball on August 19. Entertainment will include Herman Wyatt, a former Olympic highjumper.
• Five apply for Dr. Nobe graduate JACL scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five postgraduate students in physical or biological sciences or engineering are competing for the $500 Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Graduate Scholarship. National youth director Alan Kumamoto announced the applicants, and the winner will be named in a week.

National

• Defense of ‘right of dissent’ targeted as next Nisei battle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Circuit Judge Masato Doi, speaking at the seventh postwar Hawaii and Mainland veterans reunion, called on Nisei veterans to defend the right of dissent. He cited his acquittal of a man charged with flag desecration and the prejudice Nisei faced in World War II.
• Evacuee seeks $1.5 million from Canada, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Vancouver lawyers filed a $1.5 million claim against the Canadian government on behalf of Issei Torazo Iwasaki, whose Saltspring Island property was sold in 1945 while he was interned. The lawyers will first seek permission from the federal justice department to sue.
• Washington, D.C., mecca for Eastern District youth; 100 attend NC-WNDC Squaw Valley summer workshop, by Norman Ishimoto, page 2. Junior JACL members from the East Coast plan a July Capitol tour in Washington, D.C., including a State Department briefing and congressional meetings, to coincide with the EDC Summer Quarterly. Separately, 100 Northern California-Western Nevada district youth attended a summer conference at Squaw Valley featuring talks on LSD and motion pictures.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei neurosurgeon says U.S. GIs getting best possible medical care, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Capt. Raymond Taniguchi, who served as chief of neurosurgery at the Army’s Third Field Hospital in Saigon, said wounded U.S. servicemen receive rapid medical attention thanks to helicopter evacuation. During his year there he performed more than 200 brain and spinal operations.
• Vietnam question, by Henry Saburo Tatsumi, page 3. Japanese seamen working on U.S. LSTs in Vietnam and Japanese defense procurement for the war effort are examined as the issue was debated in the Diet. The article reviews the extent of Japanese involvement in the Vietnam conflict.

Sports

• Next Harry Belafonte, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This item is a short news note about the San Jose coronation ball entertainment and is not a standalone article.

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