Vol. 66, No. 2, January 12, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue
A UCLA immunologist, Dr. Paul I. Terasaki, told readers that race does not appear to be a significant factor in whether a body tolerates a transplanted organ, based on his early studies of thousands of people. The front page also carried National President Jerry Enomoto’s New Year message, looking back on his 16 months in office. William Marutani urged JACL to take a more active part in civil rights at the CCDC convention, and Jim Mitsunaga was named the Intermountain District’s first Nisei of the Biennium.
Inside this six-page issue are columns by Mike Masaoka on the second session of the 90th Congress, Bill Horio on Denver’s heavy snows, and Alan Kumamoto on falling Jr. JACL membership. Elmer Ogawa and a Honolulu Heart Program report looked at diabetes and blood pressure among Japanese Americans. Several chapters, including Selanoco, Monterey Peninsula and Placer County, installed their 1968 officers.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- New Year 1968, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on his 16 months in office and thanks JACL members and staff for their work. He proposes a deeper study of how Japanese American know-how could help address domestic problems.
- Marutani says JACL need not take all of Negro problem, but part of it, by Jiro Kataoka, page 1. At the CCDC convention, William Marutani urged JACL to become more actively involved in civil rights, including legal representation for Black Americans. He described his volunteer legal work in Louisiana and Mississippi.
- Selanoco JACL elects Dr. Toda, by Hazel Toda, page 1. The Southeast Los Angeles-North Orange County JACL installed Dr. James M. Toda as its 1968 president. The chapter outlined its planned events for the year.
- First Intermountain Nisei of Biennium award given to Jim Mitsunaga, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council named Salt Lake City attorney Jim Mitsunaga its first Nisei of the Biennium for founding the county public defender system. Joe Y. Saito and Tommy Miyasaki were named runners-up.
National
- Race not important in determining whether one tolerates or rejects transplanted organ, says Nisei expert, by P.C. Staff, page 1. UCLA immunologist Dr. Paul I. Terasaki says race does not appear to be a significant factor in organ transplant tolerance. His preliminary studies of thousands of people suggest tissue differences between races are not marked.
- January time for alien address reports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. All aliens in the United States must report their addresses during January to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Aliens temporarily abroad must report within ten days of returning.
Community
- An unselfish Issei who comforted the needy, the sick for 50 years honored by Salt Lake, by Alice Kasai, page 1. Salt Lake JACL honored Kosaburo Hanaya, who volunteered as a social worker for 50 years, and Mrs. Kuniko Terasawa, publisher-editor of the Utah Nippo. Hanaya assisted needy and sick Issei, and Terasawa has kept the Utah Nippo running since 1926.
- Monterey Peninsula JACL president sick in bed on installation night, wife accepts his gavel, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kei Nakamura was hospitalized with pneumonia and missed his own installation as Monterey Peninsula JACL president. The other officers were installed at a record-attendance dinner where Steve Magyar spoke.
- Scenic Rail Trip, by Lisa Takami, page 5. A six-mile scenic rail line along Maui’s Kaanapali Coast has been approved and may run next summer. The column also includes Hawaii community news on appointments and honors.
- Placer County elects Hike Yego, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Placer County JACL installed new officers, with Herb Tokutomi succeeding Tom Takahashi as president. The chapter also hosted a bass derby that weekend.
Incarceration & Redress
- Four couples cited for giving comfort to Watsonville evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Watsonville JACL marked the 25th anniversary of the evacuation by honoring four couples who helped Japanese Americans before and after the removal. Kay Miura was installed as chapter president at the event.
Commentary
- Second Session, 90th Congress, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka previews the second session of the 90th Congress in this election year and reviews legislation signed at the end of the first session. He discusses which senators with JACL ties are up for re-election and why incumbents with seniority generally merit support.
- Year of the Big Snows, by Bill Horio, page 3. Horio describes unusually heavy snow and odd weather in Denver this winter. He also recalls George Togasaki’s account of his father’s integrity after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
- Logic, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Hotta argues that JACL should respond to Frank Chuman’s challenge to contribute to civil rights programs, even without strict logic. He suggests the organization should simply get on with the work.
- Christmas Spirit, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui reprints a letter from a retarded child’s mother thanking volunteers who danced with disabled children at a Christmas event. The letter illustrates the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.
- Declining Figures, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto compares 1966 and 1967 National Jr. JACL membership, noting a drop from 1,388 to 1,193 members. He argues that chapters should recruit high schoolers and build a separate college-age young adult group.
- Three Greatest Killers, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. Ogawa recounts a conversation with Dr. Ben Uyeno about high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes as the three greatest killers. He warns that many Nisei approaching middle age are at risk.
Military & Veterans
- A Matter of Strength, by Jim Henry, page 5. Henry assesses Japan’s military strength across its ground, maritime, and air forces compared with other nations. He concludes that Japan’s manpower, arms, and defense spending place it well behind major powers.
In-Depth
- Many Isle AJAs have tendency to diabetes, heart study shows, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Honolulu Heart Program study found an unexpectedly high tendency toward diabetes among Oahu men of Japanese ancestry. Preliminary findings also show average blood pressure and higher cholesterol than in Japan.
Arts & Entertainment
- Reader letters on Japanese American identity and JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Readers responded to earlier discussions about JACL and the community, with letters praising chapter newsletters and urging stronger civic participation. One letter reprints a 1943 Army corporal’s rebuttal to a state assemblyman’s anti-Japanese remarks.
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