The Noguchi coroner dispute and a civil rights debate in Fresno

Vol. 65, No. 24, December 15, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

A civil rights panel at the Central California District Council convention in Fresno led this six-page issue. National Legal Counsel Bill Marutani spoke on his experiences in the Deep South, Congressman Spark Matsunaga addressed the Vietnam War, and Jerry Enomoto reflected on the weekend in his column. The front page also reported the controversy over the appointment of Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County coroner, and a bill from Rep. Phillip Burton to limit deportations.

Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka wrote on housing discrimination and William Hohri argued that JACL should confront race, poverty and Vietnam. A Chicago Sun-Times profile followed Sam Ozaki, a principal who recalled his wartime incarceration and 442nd service. Jeffrey Matsui warned about the legal precedent of mass incarceration. Yosh Hotta, Jim Henry and Yone Satoda added columns on the holidays, Vietnam’s effects in Japan and JACL’s year.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Central California District Council Convention Makes Its Impact, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The CCDC convention in Fresno featured a civil rights panel led by National Legal Counsel Bill Marutani and a stirring address by Congressman Spark Matsunaga. National officers also reviewed budget matters and chapter installations during the weekend.
• Jon Hatakeyama Heads Newly Formed CCDYC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The first District Youth Council convention in Central California elected officers and heard reports from chapters. Speakers addressed Sansei identity, the upcoming 20th Biennial in San Jose, and the Undergraduate Scholarship Program.
• San Diego JACL Installs Isao Horiye, by Abe Mukai, page 1. Isao Horiye was installed as San Diego JACL chapter president at a joint ceremony that also swore in the new Jr. JACL cabinet. Dr. Frank Sakamoto, national 1000 Club chairman, was the featured speaker.
• Central Cal Elects Tok Yamamoto District Governor; Matsunaga Speaks on Vietnam, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga defended President Johnson’s Vietnam policy at the CCDC installation dinner attended by about 300 members. Tokuo Yamamoto of Clovis was named district governor, succeeding James Kubota.
• Winning Back White Children to Attend Southside Public School, by William Braden, page 3. Chicago Sun-Times profile of Sam Ozaki, the first Japanese American principal in Chicago’s public school system, at the nearly all-Negro O’Keeffe School. Ozaki recounts his wartime incarceration and service in the 442nd and describes efforts to rebuild community support.

National

• Is It Anti-Japanese Bias? Verbal Feud Over Appointment of Noguchi as Coroner Hot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The appointment of Japan-born Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County coroner has sparked a controversy between the civil service system and the county medical association. A JACL spokesman criticized the medical group’s effort to block the appointment, and the Board of Supervisors remained deadlocked.

Obituaries

• Dave Kamayatsu, 52, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David Shigeru Kamayatsu of El Monte died December 8 after successive heart attacks. A postal employee and 442nd veteran, he is survived by his wife Amy, six children, and his brother Charles, a Pacific Citizen advertising manager.

Commentary

• Enomoto: CCDC’s Impact, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the Central California District Council convention, praising the civil rights panel, the budget presentation, and Congressman Matsunaga’s visit. He also congratulates newly elected officers and thanks the Sequoia Chapter for its installation.
• What GI Patients Think, by Register-Pajaronian, page 1. An editorial reprinting a letter from Army Capt. Douglas Nakashima, a social work officer in Japan, who reports that most wounded Vietnam soldiers have high morale while a minority feel abandoned by those at home. The editorial reflects on how home-front protesters are perceived by servicemen.
• Newsletter: Housing Discrimination, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington representative Mike Masaoka examines a Supreme Court case on whether suburban tract housing must be open to all buyers regardless of race. He traces JACL’s long involvement in fighting housing discrimination against persons of Japanese ancestry.
• Proper Perspective Lost by U.S. History Books, by Y. Philip Hayasaka, page 2. The author argues that American history textbooks have omitted the contributions of Black Americans and other nonwhites, citing figures such as Benjamin Banneker, Matthew Hinson, and Louis Latimer. He calls for a more complete national history.
• Civil Rights and Vietnam, by William Hohri, page 2. Chicago JACL member William Hohri writes in response to earlier criticism, arguing that JACL should confront issues of race, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He urges Japanese Americans to recognize their kinship with oppressed peoples and to protest American policy.
• Monthly Torture Chamber, by Ken Hayashi, page 3. Santana Wind editor Ken Hayashi humorously describes the difficulties of producing an organizational newsletter, including missed deadlines and printer complaints. He concludes that producing the paper is worth the trouble.
• Weapon Is Waiting, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui discusses a Ave Maria article by Dolores Curran that compares American racism and wartime behavior toward Japanese Americans with German attitudes toward Jews. He warns that the legal precedent of mass incarceration remains unchallenged and could be used again against other groups.
• Happy Holidays, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Hotta recalls being denied a holiday store job due to race and reflects on insularity and the way individuals blame society for personal problems. He concludes that accidents of birth should not confine people and that the world can improve.
• Happy Ending, Maybe, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto calls on Jr. JACL chapters to volunteer for patients at Napa and Agnew state hospitals, responding to a Christmas project challenge. He urges youth to set aside self-focus and give their time.
• Vietnam Nerves, by Jim Henry, page 5. Henry reports from Tokyo on rising misconduct by American servicemen in Japan linked to the Vietnam War, including assaults and robberies. He describes changing behavior among soldiers and the economic effects on bars and prostitution near U.S. bases.
• Civil Rights Commentary: Look Baby, by Yosh Hotta, page 5. Commentary excerpting voices from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report A Time to Listen, A Time to Act, covering youth, employment, automation, and frustration with society. Hotta compiles quotations showing the growing despair and militancy of young Black Americans.
• A Banner Year, by Yone Satoda, page 6. JACL Treasurer Yone Satoda reviews the organization’s accomplishments in 1967, including the dues increase, new JACL-JAL fellowships, the first Japan tour, and a new San Gabriel Valley chapter. He looks ahead to the 1968 convention and planned scholarship foundation.
• Letters: 2½ Million Yen, by Dr. David Miura, page 6. Dr. David Miura questions the realism of a civil rights fund challenge and suggests that Los Angeles projects such as tutoring and job placement would be more achievable. He proposes concrete local work instead of a large fundraising goal.
• Enryo Syndrome, by Minoru Inadomi, page 6. Inadomi responds to Dr. Harry Kitano’s remarks about the enryo syndrome as a factor in the evacuation, arguing that wartime leaders and public opinion were responsible. He warns that the conditions behind the evacuation could recur and urges vigilance for civil liberties.

Incarceration & Redress

• Two-Page Bill Introduced to Limit Deportations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Phillip Burton introduced HR 13906 to refine the 1965 Immigration Act by restoring a Board of Visa Appeals and a statute of limitations on deportation. The bill also proposes asylum policies and changes to nationality law.

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