Vol. 73, No. 7, August 13, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue
The White House said it would welcome a visit to the United States by Emperor Hirohito, a move meant to ease Japan’s worries over President Nixon’s China policy. Former Undersecretary of State George W. Ball had warned that the policy could strain U.S.-Japanese relations. Closer to home, over 600 people attended a testimonial for San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta, and the Oakland police chief told officers to stop printing a racial slur on traffic citations after a JACL district council raised the issue. A reader, Nancy Y. Shoji, wrote about it in the letters.
Elsewhere in these six pages, Bill Hosokawa mourned the coming end of the Los Angeles weekly Crossroads, and David Ushio wrote about the refugees of East Pakistan. Allan Beekman reviewed Dillon S. Myer’s book Uprooted Americans and reported on a protest over a new Bishop Estate trustee. Gordon Hirabayashi was named keynote speaker for a JACL district council convention, and Harry K. Honda reported on a JACL planning commission meeting.
What’s in this issue
National
- Japan Emperor Visit to U.S. Under Study, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The White House said it would welcome a visit by Emperor Hirohito to the United States, aiming to avoid a rift with Japan over Nixon’s China policy. Former Undersecretary George Ball warned that the China decision could undermine U.S.-Japanese relations.
- Racial Slur, by Nichi Bei Times, page 1. A Japanese American request to stop using the term ‘Jap’ on traffic citations was answered by the Oakland police chief, who now directs officers to use initials. The matter was raised at a JACL district council meeting in San Leandro.
- Polish American Group Reprimands Senator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Polish American Congress reprimanded Senator John McClellan for using the term ‘Polack’ while questioning a witness. The group demanded an apology.
- ‘Buy American Cars’ Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Don Baker organized the American Workers, Manufacturers and Consumers United to boycott foreign car imports. The group reported 1,000 members and aimed for 10,000 within 30 days.
- Justice Dept. Informants Rapped on Anti-Pollution Enforcement, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Newsday column by Stewart Udall and Jeff Stansbury criticized the Justice Department for weak enforcement of the 1899 Refuse Act. They noted few citizen informant leads resulted in court convictions.
Community
- Lodi Brothers Give 8 Acres to School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Six Yamada brothers donated eight acres on Union Island for a new elementary school in Lodi. The district will spend $650,000 to build an eight-classroom school scheduled to open in 1972.
- 600 Attend Testimonial for ‘the Kid from J-Town’; Wide Support Shown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 600 people attended a testimonial honoring San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta in his 29th day in office. Speakers praised his service and the community’s support for the Nisei mayor.
- Gordon Hirabayashi to Address CCDC Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Professor Gordon Hirabayashi, who challenged the wartime curfew and exclusion laws, was announced as keynote speaker for the Central California JACL District Council convention in November.
- Drug Overdose on Increase: 11 Cases Within 3 Weeks Reported, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The So. Calif. JACL office and JACS-AI reported 11 drug overdose incidents in the Japanese American community within three weeks, including one death. Staff described unmarked pills and urged community support for prevention.
- Onetime JACL ‘Fox’ Appointed Berkeley Asian Coordinator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Glenn Watanabe was appointed Asian American coordinator for Berkeley schools after a search of 41 candidates. He previously served as a JACL field organizer and has extensive community involvement.
- Unemployment Picture, by Joe Hamanaka, page 3. Seattle’s aerospace-dependent economy faces severe unemployment, with Boeing cutting its workforce and many engineers losing jobs. The column notes hidden hardship among Nisei families.
- Nisei Week Queen, Highlights to Be Introduced on KNBC Sunday Show, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Nisei Week queen will be introduced on KNBC’s Sunday show, with festival highlights previewed. Seven candidates were named for the contest and judges were announced.
- Estimate 200,000 Chinese Refugees in Hong Kong Eligible to Enter U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Hiram Fong announced $100,000 released by the State Department to aid Hong Kong refugees seeking U.S. entry. Fong argued Asian refugees should receive the same assistance as European refugees.
- Takabuki Invested as Trustee of Bishop Estate, Protest Still On, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Matsuo Takabuki was invested as a trustee of the Bishop Estate despite protests from Hawaiians who argued his appointment was improper. Protesters vowed to continue the fight after the court ruled they lacked standing.
JACL
- National JACL Planning Commission Staff Reorganization Eyed, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The National JACL Planning Commission met to consider long-range programs, including staff deployment and regional directors. Issues also included the role of the national director and budget priorities.
Commentary
- Washington Newsletter: Pakistan’s Million Bengalese, by David Ushio, page 2. The columnist describes mass killings, starvation, and refugee suffering in East Pakistan’s civil war. He criticizes the U.S. policy of supporting West Pakistan and questions the moral indifference shown.
- From the Frying Pan: R.I.P. Crossroads, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa mourns the impending death of Los Angeles Nisei weekly Crossroads, praising editor William Hiroto’s witty column. He reflects that its loss weakens Nisei journalism.
- Mayor’s Office Honolulu / Aloha from Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hawaii news covers conflicts between Kauai’s mayor and county officials and the appointment of Kazumasa Morita to the police commission. It also reports on Hawaii residents in the news.
- Ye Editor’s Desk: The Cannikin Project, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editorial examines the planned underground hydrogen bomb test at Amchitka and opposition from Hawaii’s congressional delegation over tsunami risks. It explains the test’s purpose for the Safeguard ABM system.
- Sansei Columnist to Bury Rhetoric but Not His Readers, by Jon Funabiki, page 6. Jon Funabiki responds to a reader’s critique by explaining his avoidance of rhetoric and his middle-ground perspective. He argues Sansei are often uncertain about their political and social commitments.
- Letters: Harrington School, by Mrs. Margaret Matsunaga, page 6. A Denver Nisei teacher defends principal Joe Ariki against a negative PC headline about parent protests over test scores. She praises his dedication to poverty-area students.
- Letters: On Racial Slur, by Nancy Y. Shoji, page 6. A reader responds to an earlier column on racial slurs by comparing the historical weight of terms like ‘Kike’ and ‘Jap.’ She also reflects on Israel’s struggle for survival.
- Prejudice in Canada: Japanese Canadian Community Responsibility, by New Canadian, page 6. The author argues Japanese Canadians must remember wartime injustices and the War Measures Act. He urges the community to educate Sansei and to speak out against prejudice.
In-Depth
- Prejudice in California, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This article recounts anti-Japanese agitation in California, the land law and 1924 immigration exclusion, and the turn of Issei toward Japanese nationalism. It describes the role of Count Makino and the Axis alliance.
Arts & Entertainment
- Book Review: Uprooted Americans by Dillon S. Myer, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Reviewer Allan Beekman assesses Dillon Myer’s account of his tenure as WRA director during the wartime relocation. The review finds the book a definitive work on the evacuation, though it has some nomenclature issues.
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