Vol. 70, No. 1, January 2, 1970. 8 pages. View this issue
The campaign to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 led the news. On Dec. 22 the Senate unanimously passed Sen. Daniel Inouye’s amended bill, which now goes to the House Internal Security Committee. The Concord, Calif., City Council passed a resolution of support, and editorials from the Arizona Republic and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin backed repeal. About 150 people made a pilgrimage to the Manzanar camp cemetery to clear brush, repaint the cenotaph and hold a Buddhist dedication service.
Other pages looked ahead to the 1970s. Mike Masaoka asked whether JACL should stay a Nisei organization or bring in Sansei and Yonsei, and Don Hayashi reviewed the organization’s 1969. Bill Hosokawa wrote about promoting his book Nisei, and Roy Sano reviewed it. Also in these eight pages: three Nisei listed among Americans missing in Vietnam, and Sempo Sugihara honored in Israel for visas he issued to Jewish refugees in 1939.
What’s in this issue
National
- Senate Unanimously Passes Inouye Title II Repeal Bill, page 1. On Dec. 22 the Senate unanimously passed an amended bill by Sen. Daniel Inouye to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the concentration camp authorization law. The bill now goes to the House Internal Security Committee for consideration.
Incarceration & Redress
- Youth Rededicate Manzanar Camp Cemetery, page 1. About 150 people made a pilgrimage to the Manzanar camp cemetery to clear brush, repaint the cenotaph, and hold a Buddhist dedication service. The trip was organized to educate younger Asian Americans and to press for repeal of Title II.
JACL
- Hosokawa Book Distributed to Key Officials in Washington, page 1. The JACL Washington Office distributed almost 500 copies of Bill Hosokawa’s book Nisei: The Quiet Americans to members of Congress and government officials. Copies were also presented to President Nixon and Prime Minister Sato, and the book’s price was set to rise after Feb. 1.
- Kashiwa to Address D.C. Fete, page 5. Deputy Attorney General Shiro Kashiwa will be the guest speaker at the Washington D.C. JACL installation dinner-dance on Jan. 31. The article gives his background and the chapter’s tradition of hosting prominent Nisei speakers.
- Jeff Hayashi: Taking Off, by Don Hayashi, page 6. The column reviews JACL’s 1969 accomplishments, including the campaign to repeal Title II, the Okinawa reversion position, and new youth involvement. It also notes the internal debates over the organization’s direction as it enters the 1970s.
Community
- Japanese Diplomat Fired for Aiding Jewish Refugees Honored by Israel, page 1. Former Japanese consul Sempo Sugihara, who issued visas to Jewish refugees in Lithuania in 1939 against Tokyo’s orders, was honored in Israel. He said he acted out of simple humanity and was later fired for his actions.
- Hosokawa to Address Orange County Installation; Issei Pioneers Over 80 to Be Honored, by Sadayoshi Wind, page 4. Bill Hosokawa will speak at the Orange County JACL installation dinner on Jan. 17, where 50 Issei aged 80 and over will receive Wakamatsu Centennial Medallions. The article lists the honorees and event details.
Commentary
- JACL in the 1970s, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka argues that the 1970s will be a decisive decade for JACL, which must decide whether to remain a Nisei organization or to bring in Sansei and Yonsei. He urges that the question be the first agenda item at the July National Convention in Chicago.
- Exposure, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes the publicity tour for his book Nisei, including appearances on CBS and NBC’s Today show. He notes the favorable mail response from viewers interested in learning about the Nisei.
- As We Enter the 1970s, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial reflects on the turbulent 1960s and the questions facing the nation and its people as the new decade begins. It also recaps the month’s events, including the Holiday Issue, the Manzanar pilgrimage, and the Senate’s passage of the Inouye bill.
- Title II Repeal Concord, Calif., Resolution, page 4. The Concord City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Dec. 22 supporting repeal of Title II after local JACL members presented information. The article credits the Human Relations Commission for its earlier recommendation.
- Taking Off, by Don Hayashi, page 5. A columnist reviews JACL’s 1969 developments, including the repeal campaign, the Okinawa stance, and the involvement of youth. The piece concludes that the organization took off into the 1970s amid internal controversy.
- In Search of Substance, by Roy Sano, page 5. Sano reviews Bill Hosokawa’s book Nisei and finds it readable but lacking in historical substance and grandeur. He argues that the work is more chronicle than history and calls for a deeper treatment of key events such as the 442nd.
- Let’s Repeal This Law, by Arizona Republic, page 6. The Phoenix newspaper editorial argues that the Emergency Detention Act of 1950 should be repealed because it serves no useful purpose and fuels fears of concentration camps. It notes the Justice Department’s support for repeal.
- Hoover Reversed, by Honolulu Star-Bulletin, page 6. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin editorial welcomes the Justice Department’s reversal in support of repealing the Emergency Detention Act. It praises Hawaii’s congressional delegation for leading the repeal effort.
- An Existential Phenomenon, by Dr. Tosh Tatsuyama, page 8. Tatsuyama describes the Yellow Brotherhood, a self-help group in Los Angeles that helps former drug users and school dropouts reconnect with school and society. He outlines the group’s history, leaders, and fundraising goals for a center of its own.
- Hayakawa-Noguchi, by Rincon Annex, page 8. A letter writer criticizes the PC for defending Dr. Noguchi while giving lukewarm support to Dr. Hayakawa, and defends Hayakawa’s record at San Francisco State. The writer argues that attacks on Hayakawa contain racist undertones.
Military & Veterans
- Three Nisei Among 1,400 Americans Missing in Vietnam, page 2. The Washington JACL office reported that at least three Japanese Americans, including M/Sgt. John Michio Mamiya, were among 1,406 Americans listed as missing in Southeast Asia. The list was presented to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong representatives in Paris.
Arts & Entertainment
- Honolulu Madam: Autobiography Villifying Nikkei Exposed as Novel by Chicago Writer, by Allan Beekman, page 4. The article reveals that the bestselling paperback Honolulu Madam, purportedly an autobiography, was written by Paul Little under a pseudonym. The reviewer describes the novel’s plot and its unflattering portrayal of Nikkei characters.
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