A call for federal reparations, and a farewell to Joe Grant Masaoka

Vol. 71, No. 3, July 17, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL National President Jerry Enomoto opened the July 17, 1970 issue with a report on the biennium: budget priorities, staff recruitment, youth programs and the Centennial celebration. The front page also carried news of the death of Joe Grant Masaoka, administrator of the JACL-UCLA Japanese American Research Project, who died at age 61. Shig Wakamatsu wrote a tribute to him inside, and Masaoka’s own column on interracial marriage appeared on page 2. Another front-page story told how the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council sought federal reparations for Japanese Americans removed from their homes in 1942, with Edison Uno speaking for the resolution.

Elsewhere in these six pages: Bill Hosokawa’s column on Mike Masaoka ahead of his testimonial banquet, the Larry Tajiri essay prize with John H. Sugiyama’s winning essay, and Izumi Taniguchi on Asian American studies. Letters from Bill Marutani, Fred Y. Hirasuna and Vaughn B.L. Greene closed the issue, and the 30th Nisei Week calendar was announced.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Report to the JACLers, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto reports on the biennium’s progress, including budget priorities, staff recruitment, youth programs, and the Centennial celebration. He calls for JACL to avoid extremes and remain an active human rights organization.
• Footnote to History, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 2. Joe Grant Masaoka examines interracial marriage among Japanese Americans, using historical statistics from the 1900s through 1960s to show rising intermarriage rates, especially among Sansei. He argues that traditional Japanese cultural rigidity is weakening as ethnic community ostracism diminishes.
• From the Frying Pan: Of Mike and Men, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa offers a tribute to Mike Masaoka ahead of his testimonial banquet, recounting his key achievements including naturalization rights for the Issei and repeal of the Oriental Exclusion Act. He also recognizes the family members who supported Masaoka’s career.
• Hearn’s Interpretation of Meiji Japan, by Beekman, page 5. A book review of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kokoro, examining how Hearn came to love Japan and wrote sympathetically about its culture and outcast classes. The reviewer notes Hearn’s pseudoscientific theories are dated but his prose remains compelling.
• Need for Asian American Studies, by Izumi Taniguchi, page 5. Izumi Taniguchi argues that Asian American studies programs are valuable because ethnic subcultures enrich American society and minorities should not be judged inferior for maintaining their identities. He contends that mutual understanding among ethnic groups is strengthened through such programs.
• Understanding: the Basis for a Changing JACL, by John H. Sugiyama, page 6. John Sugiyama, first-prize winner of the Tajiri essay contest, argues that JACL must build understanding between older and younger members to remain vital. He calls for open communication to bridge generational misunderstanding while avoiding simplistic solutions.
• Letters: East Wind postscript, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani clarifies that his East Wind column was not opposed to interracial marriage but criticized Nisei who seek validation from other races. He apologizes to readers who were offended by the column’s point.
• Nisei of Biennium, by Fred Y. Hirasuna, page 6. Fred Hirasuna criticizes the opposition to S.I. Hayakawa as Nisei of the Biennium candidate, arguing that critics sabotaged the award process. He defends Hayakawa’s actions at San Francisco State and accuses radical dissidents of advancing their own agenda.
• Letter on Vietnam Issue, by Vaughn B.L. Greene, page 6. Vaughn Greene responds to Barry Saiki, arguing that American withdrawal from Vietnam is a humanitarian and common sense decision rather than cowardice. He contends the war is political and cannot be won militarily.

Obituaries

• Joe Grant Masaoka dead, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joe Grant Masaoka, administrator of the JACL-UCLA Japanese American Research Project, died July 10 at age 61. He had a long career in JACL leadership at local, regional, and national levels, and was the eldest of the Masaoka brothers.
• Elmer Ogawa found dead in apt., by Joe Hamanaka, page 1. Seattle writer and photographer Elmer Ogawa was found dead at age 64 in his apartment. He had long served the community through his Northwest Picture column and photography for the Pacific Citizen.

Community

• Three Sansei from Northern Cal win Tajiri essay prize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Sansei from the San Francisco Bay Area were named winners of the Larry Tajiri Memorial JACL Essay Contest at the national convention in Chicago. John Hideki Sugiyama took first prize.
• Injured wrestler seeks $1,750,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Justin H. Ogata, a 16-year-old Costa Mesa High student left nearly paralyzed by a wrestling accident, is suing the school district for $1,750,000 for alleged negligence. The community has held fundraising ventures to help the family with hospital bills.
• A Tribute and a Resolve: UCLA-JACL Must Address Themselves to Void Due to Joe Masaoka Death, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 2. Shig Wakamatsu pays tribute to Joe Grant Masaoka’s contributions to the Japanese American Research Project and calls on UCLA and JACL to address the gap his death leaves. Masaoka had served as project administrator and research analyst on the study.
• 30th Nisei Week calendar set for Aug. 15-23, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 1970 Nisei Week Festival calendar was announced, with ten candidates competing for Miss Nisei Week and a new preview exhibit in City Hall Rotunda. Events include a coronation ball, cultural performances, sports tournaments, and a parade.
• San Diego JACL honors Issei pioneers, including oldest living war veteran, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Diego JACL honored Issei pioneers at a dinner where National President Jerry Enomoto presented Wakamatsu Centennial medallions. Hikotaro Yamada, 87, believed to be the oldest living U.S. military veteran of Japanese ancestry, was among those honored.

National

• Kiyosaki stuns Demos, to run for Lt. Gov. as GOP, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Ralph H. Kiyosaki resigned as Hawaii superintendent of education to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican. The announcement surprised Democratic leaders, and Samuel P. King was credited with persuading him to run.
• Nat’l JACL credit union declares 5% pct. dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Credit Union declared a 5.5 percent per annum dividend for the first half of 1970, disbursing over $33,000 to members. Loan volume had dropped from the previous year as members withheld spending amid economic uncertainty.

JACL

• Referendum Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Hirasuna proposed a by-law amendment allowing a referendum on National decisions made at convention, requiring signatures from ten percent of members. The proposal aims to ensure delegates consider decisions carefully.

Incarceration & Redress

• Reparations bill sought by NC-WNDC for all Japanese American evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Council submitted a resolution at the 1970 JACL Convention seeking federal reparations for all Japanese Americans evacuated in 1942. Edison Uno argued the government has never admitted wrongdoing and that the Korematsu and Hirabayashi decisions leave the injustice unaddressed.

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