Vol. 76, No. 7, February 23, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue
Plans for the next Manzanar pilgrimage opened this six-page issue: the Manzanar Committee was preparing a trip to the site near Lone Pine for Saturday, April 14, with groups in San Francisco, Chicago and New York helping. On the JACL side, Barry Matsumoto asked whether a Sansei community exists and how the organization should relate to that generation. The Central California District Council also scheduled its pre-Tri-District Meeting session, with Akira Nishioka named general chairman for the March 3-4 meeting in Fresno.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about Denver’s sewage sludge plan and Japan’s recycling tradition, and Bill M. Tsuji asked whether Japanese Americans qualify as a minority. Seattle police raided a Chinese New Year party, and the mayor apologized. Other pages cover a Canadian documentary on Japanese Canadians, a tour of Kyoto, Hawaii politics and the Chicago JACL Federal Credit Union’s dividend.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Central California JACL District Council Schedules Pre-Tri-District Meeting Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California JACL District Council scheduled its pre-Tri-District Meeting session at the Fowler Buddhist Church on Feb. 21. Akira Nishioka was named general chairman for the Tri-District Meeting slated for March 3-4 at Fresno’s Towne House.
- Seattle Police Raid Chinese New Year Party; Mayor Apologizes, by Seattle Times, page 1. Seattle police raided a Chinese New Year gathering at the Hong Sing Association hall, arresting 77 persons on gambling-related charges. Mayor Uhlman publicly apologized for the conduct of some officers and ordered an investigation.
- Paul Watanabe Urges Political Involvement at Seattle JACL Installation, by Eira Nagaoka, page 4. Some 140 people attended the Seattle JACL installation banquet where Ben Nakagawa and his board were installed by Dr. James Watanabe. Speakers emphasized political involvement and Japanese American cultural heritage.
- Rotarians Campaign to Find Jobs for Returning Vietnam-Era Veterans, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rotarians in Riverside and San Bernardino are working with the National Alliance of Businessmen to find jobs for returning servicemen. About 200 Vietnam-era veterans have been placed locally in six months, according to vocational chairman Howard Kubota.
- Chicago JACL Federal Credit Union Declares 4.5% Dividend, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago JACL Federal Credit Union held its 26th annual meeting with record attendance and record assets. The board declared a 4.5 percent dividend and re-elected Dudley Yatabe as president.
- Bank of Tokyo Sacramento Branch Approved, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The State Banking Department approved the Bank of Tokyo of California’s application to open its first full-service office in Sacramento. Construction of the branch building awaits Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. approval.
- Dr. Doi and the Chicago Community Calendar, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Community notes cover local JACL activities and honors, including outstanding member recognition and youth exchange programs. Several members received service awards for civic work.
Incarceration & Redress
- Next Manzanar Pilgrimage Set for April 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Manzanar Committee is preparing its next pilgrimage to the historic site near Lone Pine for Saturday, April 14. Groups in San Francisco, Chicago and New York are coordinating preparatory activities.
National
- Japanese Capital May Be Scared Off If Public Criticism Persists, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George S. Kanahele, vice president of The Hawaii Corp., warned that needed Japanese capital may be frightened away from Hawaii if public criticism of Japanese investment persists. He noted that foreign investors prefer a climate of acceptance and that discriminatory incidents can trigger broader reactions.
- Anderson-Matsunaga Bill Calls for Cabinet-Level Asian American Affairs Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Glenn Anderson reintroduced a bill to create a Cabinet-level committee investigating discrimination against Asian Americans, originally proposed by JACL in 1971. Anderson cited Civil Service Commission findings and noted that elderly Asian Americans are neglected due to language barriers.
- Social Security Medicare Enrollment Now Open Annually, by P.C. Staff, page 4. People who missed Medicare Part B enrollment in the first three years can now sign up during the January-March general enrollment period. The premium increases by 10 percent for each half-year delay.
JACL
- Kind of Investment: Sansei and the JACL Community, by Barry Matsumoto, page 1. Washington JACL Representative Barry Matsumoto addresses whether a Sansei community exists and what JACL’s future relationship with that generation should be. He argues the organization must engage younger members through a partnership between generations.
Commentary
- As a Minority, Do We Qualify?, by Bill M. Tsuji, page 1. Tsuji examines whether Japanese Americans qualify as a minority, noting federal classification alongside other groups facing discrimination. He traces how their image shifted from the Yellow Peril to the model minority after World War II.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa discusses Denver’s plan to pipe processed sewage sludge to Colorado wheatfields, noting Japan’s long tradition of recycling waste as fertilizer. He also reflects on how yen devaluation affects American travelers in Japan.
- Letters on Civil Rights, Travel Visas and Hawaii Identity, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Readers respond to earlier coverage, including a Los Angeles letter about being asked for a visa despite being a Hawaii-born citizen. Other letters discuss civil rights progress and the meaning of Hawaiian identity.
- Presidential Views on Minorities (book review), by Allan Beekman, page 5. Review of George Sinkler’s book on racial attitudes of American presidents from Lincoln through Theodore Roosevelt. The reviewer traces how each president’s views on blacks, Indians and Asians shaped federal policy.
In-Depth
- Strolls Through Kyoto, by Dr. Horu, page 3. The author describes Kyoto as the most interesting city in Japan, with its narrow streets, old temples, gardens and seasonal festivals. He recounts a New Year’s Eve visit to Yasaka Shrine.
Arts & Entertainment
- Canadian Documentary Explores Japanese Canadian Experience, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A CBC documentary titled Watari-Dori: A Bird of Passage traces the experience of Japanese Canadians from prewar life through wartime internment and relocation. It draws on family albums and home movies.
Military & Veterans
- Hawaii Today: Mayor Fasi Charges Dictatorship; Ariyoshi Calls for Self-Determination, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi criticized Gov. John Burns and the state economy, while Lt. Gov. George Ariyoshi urged Hawaiians to determine their own future. The roundup also covers legislative proposals on out-of-state university enrollment.
Obituaries
- Niisaburo Aibara, National JACL’s Oldest Member, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Niisaburo Aibara, National JACL’s oldest member, died at a Turlock care home. Born in 1869 in Yamanashi, he emigrated to the United States in 1893 and became a respected community educator and leader.
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