Silence at JACL meetings, and Watergate testimony from Nisei witnesses

Vol. 77, No. 20, November 16, 1973. 4 pages. View this issue

National JACL President Henry T. Tanaka opened this four-page issue with a front-page column on why so many JACL board and committee members stay quiet in meetings. He wondered whether Japanese cultural reticence played a part, drawing on an article by Masao Kunihiro. Inside, three Japanese Americans appeared in the Watergate coverage: William Marumoto testified about grant screening, Alfred Wong said he opposed bugging the Oval Office, and Congressman Spark Matsunaga told Hawaii supporters how his mail ran on impeachment.

Other pages reported that California’s offensive “JAP” and “NIP” license plates were all returned or recalled after JACL protested. Edwin Reischauer spoke on Japanese investment, and Liem Eng Tuai lost his bid for Seattle mayor. Bill Hosokawa described the high prices facing visitors in Tokyo, and Ellen Endo profiled Masamori Kojima, Mayor Tom Bradley’s aide in Los Angeles.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Japanese Reticence and Communication in JACL Meetings, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. Tanaka observes that verbal participation at JACL board and committee meetings is often limited, and attributes this partly to Japanese cultural traditions of reticence. He draws on Masao Kunihiro’s analysis of Japanese communication patterns to explore why decisions are still made despite the silence.
• Mo Marumoto Opens Watergate Phase Three, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Former White House aide William Marumoto testified that grants to Spanish-speaking groups were screened for compatibility with Nixon’s re-election efforts. Senators questioned whether federal funding was politicized.

National

• Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport Opening Delayed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Dallas-Ft. Worth regional airport designed by architect Gyo Obata faces further delay from legal disputes over ground and air transportation access. The opening is now scheduled for January 13.
• Reischauer Urges Understanding in Japanese Investment Debate, by Rick Sia, page 2. Harvard professor Edwin Reischauer argues Americans may expect too much from Japanese investors in local charity and affairs, and calls for greater sensitivity on both sides. He notes the trade imbalance and says Japanese investment in the U.S. is fundamentally healthy.
• Nikkei Voluntarily Turns in Offensive ‘JAP JAG’ Plates, by P.C. Staff, page 2. California’s offensive ‘JAP’ and ‘NIP’ personalized license plates were all returned or recalled after JACL protested their issuance. JACL withdrew its objection to one plate after finding it spelled a family name.
• Nisei Supporters Hear Matsunaga on Nixon Impeachment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Congressman Spark Matsunaga told Hawaii supporters that mail from constituents strongly favored impeaching President Nixon. He criticized the President’s handling of the Watergate tapes and special prosecutor dismissal.
• Secret Service Official Opposed Oval Office Bug, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Secret Service deputy director Alfred Wong testified he opposed installing listening devices in the Oval Office in 1971. He said he told presidential aide Alexander Butterfield he preferred not to enter such an operation.

Community

• Oakland’s Ogawa Denies Charge of Ignoring Urban Ills, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Oakland mayor’s office responded to criticism that it neglected urban problems amid federal funding cutbacks. The article reports the city’s defense of its record.
• Los Angeles Group to Hear Japan Ambassador, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Los Angeles symposium for western business leaders will examine communication problems for Americans doing business with Japan. Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yasukawa will deliver the luncheon address on December 5.
• Seattle Mayor’s Post Eludes Tuai’s Reach, by Jon Hwamanara, page 3. Liem Eng Tuai, bidding to be Seattle’s first Chinese American mayor, lost to incumbent Wes Uhlman in the November election. The article analyzes the campaign, including media coverage and Tuai’s strategy.
• PSWDC to Meet at San Diego, by P.C. Staff, page 3. National JACL President Henry Tanaka will attend the Pacific Southwest District Council session and the San Diego JACL installation dinner. Bill Hosokawa will be the guest speaker.
• Gardena Mayor May Sue Clubs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Gardena Mayor Ken Nakaoka threatened a $500,000 damage suit against two card clubs over smear letters. The clubs’ operator declined to settle before the deadline.
• Mayor’s Nisei Aide Explains His Role, by Ellen Endo, page 3. Masamori Kojima, executive assistant to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, spoke to the Downtown L.A. JACL about his work on city hall. He described the demands of the job and his role as the mayor’s only Japanese American staffer.
• Hawaii Today, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii news items cover ethnic bias concerns in criminal justice, a drop in the state jobless rate, and hospital rates that remain lower than West Coast averages. Governor John Burns’ recovery from surgery is also noted.
• Sonoma County to Hold Japanese Movie Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sonoma County JACL will sponsor a benefit showing of Japanese films to raise operating funds. Volunteers are handling refreshments and a bake sale.

Incarceration & Redress

• New York Issei’s Research on Cancer Drug Laetrile Part of Broad Inquiry, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Sloan-Kettering researcher reported preliminary positive mouse results for the controversial drug Laetrile but institute officials urged caution. They stressed the report was incomplete and not evidence of human effectiveness.

In-Depth

• Japan Tourism and the High Cost of Tokyo, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes the high prices visitors face in Tokyo, from concert tickets to steak dinners and tailored suits. He notes that transportation remains relatively cheap while the Japanese themselves are spending more freely.

Military & Veterans

• Unexploded U.S. Bombs Dropped in WW2 Found in 177 Spots in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Prime Minister’s Office reported that unexploded American bombs from World War II remain at 177 sites across Japan. Removal is expected to be slow due to the expense involved.

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