Vol. 76, No. 17, May 4, 1973. 4 pages. View this issue
A Seattle City Council President, Liem Eng Tuai, announced his run for mayor, and the front page followed his campaign against Mayor Wes Uhlman. Rep. Jerome Waldie introduced two bills to give retirement and Social Security credits to Japanese Americans held during the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Harry K. Honda reported that the JACL moved the Japanese American Research Project archives to the UCLA Library, and George Araki compared the Ainu in Japan with the American Indian experience.
The editorial page carried Dorry Enomoto on JACL’s goals, Kats Kunitsugu on telling the evacuation story to college students, and a reader’s letter on reparations. Other pages include a Bill Hosokawa speaking date in Reno, the Sakura parade in San Francisco, a swimming honor for Yoshi Oyakawa, and a Buddhist art exhibition in Los Angeles.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Councilman Liem Tuai Sees Strong Support from Neighborhoods in Race for Mayor of Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle City Council President Liem Eng Tuai announced his candidacy for mayor, criticizing incumbent Wes Uhlman for failing to use his power and consult the council. Tuai said his campaign would be grassroots-based and cost $70,000 to $100,000.
- UCLA Library Houses Rare Japanese American Documents, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The JACL transferred the Japanese American Research Project archives to the UCLA Library’s Department of Special Collections. Shig Wakamatsu said the completion marks one of three major JARP objectives.
- Hosokawa Speaker at NC-WN Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bill Hosokawa will be the main speaker at the Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council quarterly session in Reno on May 5. The program includes a workshop on drug problems led by John Tachihara.
- 38,000 Watch S.F. Sakura Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An estimated 38,000 spectators watched the two-and-a-half hour Cherry Blossom Festival parade in San Francisco on April 22. The parade featured over 1,500 costumed participants led by Osaka Mayor Yasushi Oshima.
- Nisei Appointed Customs Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masao Watanabe of Tacoma was appointed U.S. Customs port director at Blaine, Washington. An 18-year Customs veteran and 442nd RCT veteran, he previously served as port director at Tacoma.
- Chapter Compares Life on Indian Reservation with Evacuation, by Ellen Endo Kavano, page 2. At a forum of the new Metropolitan Los Angeles JACL chapter, a Nisei man compared conditions on Indian reservations to WWII internment camps. Native American speakers discussed the lack of sovereignty and voting rights for Indians.
- Cultural Arts Day Planned by Milwaukee JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Milwaukee JACL will hold a Japanese Cultural Arts Day featuring dinner, programs on koto and bonsai, games, crafts, and Japanese language instruction. Home movies of JACL events will also be shown.
- Seattle Now Games and More Variety Promised, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle community event organizers promised expanded games and food variety for a community event. Co-chairmen Jim Yasumoto and Ed Yoshida announced the plans.
National
- Two Retirement Credit Bills Introduced for Japanese American Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Jerome Waldie introduced two bills in March to give retirement and Social Security credits to Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Waldie said the federal government bears responsibility for the unjust internment of these loyal citizens.
- Filipino Aliens in U.S. Protest Tax Bill from Marcos, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal lawsuit was filed in Hawaii challenging the Philippine government’s tax assessment on resident-alien Filipinos. The suit argues the tax is illegal because it applies to income not taxable under U.S. or Hawaii law.
In-Depth
- Plight of Ainu in Japan Similar to American Indian Experience, by George Araki, page 1. The article compares the historical treatment of the Ainu people in Japan with the experience of American Indians. It traces Japanese government policies toward the Ainu following the Meiji-era annexation.
Incarceration & Redress
- Prewar San Diego Records Destroyed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Records of the San Diego Japanese Association from 1913-1941, seized by the FBI at the start of World War II, were destroyed by the Department of Justice. The records were lost despite efforts to return them to the community.
Commentary
- Ye Editor’s Desk: Asian Gerontology Project, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial criticizes National JACL’s handling of controversy over the Asian Gerontology Project, which was criticized by East Bay Japanese for Action and Kimochi. The editors argue the federally funded project was meant to educate agencies rather than provide direct services.
- The Why and What of It All, by Dorry Enomoto, page 2. The columnist argues JACL must clearly define its goals and objectives before deciding on programs and actions. Without articulating why and what it seeks to achieve, the organization cannot measure progress.
- Evacuee Reparations, by Mort Kurotori, page 2. A reader writes that the proposed evacuee reparations bill places a monetary value on lost freedom, which is impossible to equate. The letter argues the focus should instead be on preserving freedoms.
- Evacuation Story Told to Students, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 2. The columnist describes speaking to Rio Hondo College students about the Japanese American Evacuation. He argues Nisei who lived through the experience feel weary of repeatedly hearing about it from younger Asian Americans.
- Book Review: Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Japan, by Allan Beekman, page 3. The reviewer examines a history of the Meiji Restoration period in Japan, focusing on the political upheavals that ended the shogunate. The review praises the vivid writing but notes weaknesses in documentation.
Military & Veterans
- Hawaii Today: Names in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Brief items cover Hawaii community news including appointments and honors. The column reports on members of the Japanese American community in the islands.
Sports
- Sports Scene: Yoshi Oyakawa Elected to Swimming Hall of Fame, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoshi Oyakawa, 1952 Helsinki gold medalist in the 100-meter backstroke, was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The former Hilo High School swimmer is currently a coach.
Arts & Entertainment
- Exhibition of Japanese Buddhist Art Opens in Los Angeles, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fifty masterpieces representing the evolution of Japanese Buddhism are on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The exhibition is part of a tour of the United States.
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