Washington honors, Hosokawa’s book and a debate over JACL’s direction

Vol. 69, No. 23, December 5, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

Bill Hosokawa’s book “Nisei: The Quiet Americans” ran through much of this issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote from Sacramento about presenting Wakamatsu Colony Centennial coins and copies of the book to President Nixon and Prime Minister Sato. About 200 people attended a Denver dinner for Hosokawa, and Harry K. Honda’s editor’s column weighed reviews of the book and the argument over its title. Joe Hamanaka added a lighter take on that title.

Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka reported on the agreement to return Okinawa to Japan, while a letter from John Ohta disagreed with JACL’s position. Rep. Spark Matsunaga and 50 colleagues backed a bill setting a 300,000 visa ceiling on immigration. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa asked whether JACL is dead, and readers wrote in on youth and the Jr. JACL. Chapters honored Issei pioneers in Minneapolis and Seattle, and a Little Tokyo cultural center was under study.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Perspectives: More from D.C., by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on his recent Washington, D.C. trip, including the presentation of Wakamatsu Colony Centennial coins and Hosokawa books to President Nixon and Prime Minister Sato. He notes the event generated positive publicity for Nisei and the JACL in both countries.
• Washington Newsletter: Okinawa Reversion Approved, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the November 21 agreement between Presidents Nixon and Prime Minister Sato to return Okinawa to Japan in 1972. He notes the JACL’s statement urging reversion and the broader implications for U.S.-Japan cooperation.
• Is the JACL Dead?, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 3. Dr. Roy Nishikawa, a former National JACL president, delivered an address questioning whether JACL is dying, citing low chapter participation in civil rights and student aid programs. He urged members to become more involved and to respond to the needs of the community.
• Rappin’ Awhile: It’s Cherry Bomb Time, by Fred S. Kai, page 4. Columnist Fred Kai writes about militant student groups and ethnic tensions on college campuses, drawing on anecdotes including a Chinatown fight and a Chinese American student at Mission High. He reflects on the search for identity among young people.
• Ye Editor’s Desk: ‘Nisei: The Quiet Americans’, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor reviews favorable notices of Bill Hosokawa’s book from the Saturday Review and Denver Post, while noting criticisms from Jerome Charyn. The piece discusses the controversy over the book’s title and its treatment of the wartime evacuation.
• Letters: Okinawa Reversion, by John Ohta, page 6. John Ohta of the Okinawa Committee criticizes JACL’s position on Okinawa reversion, arguing that the Okinawan people should decide their own future. The editor responds that polls and elections show strong Okinawan support for return to Japan.
• Letters: Insurance Program, by Christine Tateyama, page 6. Christine Tateyama questions a casualty insurance survey claiming JACL members are better drivers, arguing the stereotype should not be promoted. She calls for consistency in JACL’s ideals.
• Let Youth Speak, by Stephen K. Nakaji, page 6. A San Francisco State student asks the Pacific Citizen to give young people more space to voice their views. The editor responds that youth have access to columns but must submit compelling material.
• Letter on Jr. JACL and Youth Movement, page 6. A correspondent praises David Takashima’s column on the isolation of JACL committees and the Jr. JACL. The letter argues the youth movement is faltering due to lack of attention from the Nisei-led parent organization.
• Beer! This Piece Should Quiet Hubbub Over Title of ‘Nisei: QA’, by Joe Hamanaka, page 6. Joe Hamanaka offers a lighthearted commentary on the controversy over the title of Hosokawa’s book, suggesting punctuation changes and alternative titles. He argues the debate distracts from more pressing issues.

Community

• 200 Honor Hosokawa, page 1. Some 200 people attended a Denver dinner honoring Bill Hosokawa upon publication of his book ‘Nisei: The Quiet Americans.’ The Mile-Hi and Ft. Lupton JACL chapters co-sponsored the testimonial banquet.
• Minn. Issei Pioneers Given Centennial Coin, by Kay Kushino, page 1. The Twin Cities JACL honored 52 Issei pioneers at a centennial celebration in Minneapolis. Participants received Centennial medals and commemorative cups from JACL National Headquarters.
• Seattle Honors 250 Issei All Over 80, page 1. Seattle held a banquet honoring some 250 Issei aged 80 or older, including Ritaro Hamada who turns 100 soon. Governor Dan Evans bowed to Hamada, a longtime Seattle resident and fisherman.
• CCDC Steps Up Title II Repeal Campaign, by Thomas Toyama, page 1. The Central California District Council convention in Fresno drew 700 attendees and heard keynote speaker Dr. S.I. Hayakawa. The convention officially supported JACL efforts to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950.
• NC-WNDC Group Health Coverage Raised to $25,000, page 1. The JACL-California Blue Shield health plan for Northern California and Western Nevada raised its major medical coverage from $15,000 to $25,000. The plan now covers 1,880 persons and paid nearly $200,000 in claims over nine months.
• Mountain-Plains Elects Dr. Mayeda, page 1. The Mountain-Plains JACL District Council elected Dr. Takashi Mayeda of Denver as district governor. He succeeds Mrs. Lily Okura of Omaha and returns to the National Board after a 20-year absence.
• New York Asians Picket FBI Against Hoover Comments, by N.Y. Nichibei, page 1. About 30 young Asians picketed FBI headquarters in New York to protest J. Edgar Hoover’s testimony linking Chinese Americans to possible Red China support. Demonstrators demanded retraction and repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act.
• Cultural-Community Center for Little Tokyo Under Study, page 3. Katsuma Mukaeda and Alfred Hatate were named co-chairmen of a subcommittee studying a cultural/community center as part of the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project. The center is intended to give the community a place to participate in cultural, educational and recreational activities.
• Estimate 100,000 Nikkei in L.A., page 3. A study published in the Parish Visitor estimates the Japanese American population of metropolitan Los Angeles at approximately 100,000, up about 20 percent from the 1960 census. Much of the growth is attributed to families moving from Hawaii since 1950.
• Abe Takes Over San Francisco JACL Helm, page 5. Fred Abe, an active community leader, was installed as president of the San Francisco JACL chapter. The installation was part of the chapter’s annual leadership transition.
• Getting Involved: Lesson of PNWDC Workshop Topic, by James Southwell, page 5. Participants at a Pacific Northwest District Council workshop discussed how Japanese Americans could help alleviate poverty and exert political influence. Speakers emphasized education reform, organizational involvement and the need for more committed action.

National

• Matsunaga Seeks 300,000 Ceiling on Immigration, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga and 50 colleagues co-sponsored a bill creating a unified worldwide preference system with a 300,000 visa ceiling. The bill would eliminate backlogs and inequities in the current Western Hemisphere system.

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