Vol. 75, No. 25, December 22, 1972. 60 pages. View this issue
Japanese American scientists were the subject of the front page. Scott Miyakawa wrote about Jokichi Takamine, the chemist who studied in Nagasaki and Europe and later became a community leader in New York. George M. Fukui surveyed Issei and Nisei contributions to science, and a reprinted Washington Post profile by Victor Cohn followed NIH researcher Dr. Makio Murayama. Paul Brinkley-Rogers’s Newsweek piece looked at the Los Angeles and Gardena community.
Elsewhere, Harry K. Honda thanked Mas Satow for 25 years as JACL National Director, and Mike M. Masaoka filed his final report as Washington Representative. Readers will also find the Niihau Incident aftermath, a history of the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, recollections of the wartime incarceration, and a JACL reference supplement. About 42 of its 60 pages carry holiday greetings.
What’s in this issue
Arts & Entertainment
- Jokichi Takamine: Japanese Chemist and Community Leader in New York, by By Scott Miyakawa, page 1. This feature traces the life of Jokichi Takamine, a Japanese chemist who studied Western science in Nagasaki and Europe, developed fertilizers and diastase, and isolated adrenalin. It also covers his community leadership in New York, including founding cultural groups and building his Shofu-den country home.
In-Depth
- Waits and Woes of a World-Famous Researcher, by By Victor Cohn, Washington Post Science Writer, page 1. Reprinted from the Washington Post, this profile follows NIH biological chemist Dr. Makio Murayama as he pursues sickle cell anemia research despite limited funding and support. It explores his frustrations with the institutional funding structure and his personal life as a widower raising two children.
- Nikkei in Science Achieve, by By George M. Fukui, page 1. Dr. George Fukui surveys contributions of Japanese Americans to science and technology, listing Issei and Nisei scientists across physical and biological fields. He argues that family structure and shared cultural traditions helped Nisei overcome prejudice and succeed in science.
Commentary
- Outwhiting the Whites, by By Paul Brinkley-Rogers, page 1. This reprinted Newsweek feature surveys the Japanese American community in Los Angeles and Gardena, examining its success and the controversy it provoked. It also quotes historical anti-Japanese rhetoric to frame the community’s position.
- Thank You, Mas Satow, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Honda pays tribute to Mas Satow’s 25 years as JACL National Director, recounting his role in building the organization. The piece praises his dedication to chapters and members.
Sports
- Test Your Skills in Pacific Citizen Holiday Quiz, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This brief holiday feature invites readers to test their knowledge with a short quiz. It offers light seasonal content for the issue.
Community
- Scientists Honor Nisei Researchers at Recent Conferences, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Several Nisei scientists were recognized at recent scientific gatherings for their research. The brief reports highlight their professional achievements.
- Greater Los Angeles Holiday Community Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 40. Brief local notes report community events, chapter activities, and personal news across Southern California. The items reflect the holiday season in the Los Angeles area.
Military & Veterans
- The Niihau Incident Aftermath, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This installment follows the events on Niihau after the Japanese pilot’s crash, including the fates of Shintani and Mrs. Harada. It describes how the wartime incident affected Japanese residents of the island.
- ATIS: Secret Weapon of WW2, by P.C. Staff, page 26. A declassified 1948 military history describes the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, which used Nisei and other linguists to extract intelligence from captured documents and prisoners. It details ATIS operations and their tactical value across the Southwest Pacific.
JACL
- Masaoka Final Report, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 14. Masaoka presents his final report as JACL Washington Representative, reviewing the organization’s legislative achievements and recommending David Ushio as successor. He reflects on the history of JACL’s wartime and postwar work.
- JACL Reference Section: Chapter History and Membership, by P.C. Staff, page 49. This supplement lists JACL chapter presidents, membership highs, and national award recipients across the organization’s history. It serves as a reference on JACL leadership and achievements.
Incarceration & Redress
- Evacuation and Relocation Recalled, by P.C. Staff, page 35. Recollections from former evacuees describe life in relocation camps and the lasting effects of the wartime removal. The feature connects personal memories to broader community history.
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