Tule Lake plaque text, whaling and interracial marriage

Vol. 80, No. 5, February 7, 1975. 6 pages. View this issue

A proposed text for a state historical landmark plaque at Tule Lake led the front page. It was being resubmitted to the California State Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee, and it described the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans without charge, trial or due process. The same page carried the National JACL Committee for Whaling Issues’ position paper, President Ford’s decision not to penalize Japan or the Soviet Union over minke whale quotas, and Glenn Omatsu’s look at interracial marriage among Nikkei in Hawaii. Gilbert Hirabayashi’s appointment as Washington’s Asian-American Affairs Commissioner also appeared there.

Inside this six-page issue, Yone Wu Stafford wrote a letter defending Japanese whaling, and Vickie Ong reported on Taitetsu Unno’s views on Buddhism in America. Harry K. Honda’s editor’s desk column considered leadership at the start of 1975. Kazuko Kajimura described San Francisco’s Japanese bilingual program, and Sen. Spark Matsunaga reintroduced a Hawaii native claims bill.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Tule Lake plaque text proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The text for a Tule Lake historical landmark plaque is being resubmitted for approval by the California State Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee. The proposed text describes the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans without charge, trial, or due process.

National

• ‘Whaling Issue’ paper published, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Committee for Whaling Issues has published a position paper on the whaling controversy. The paper describes JACL’s stance against the killing of whales and its recommended actions.
• U.S. won’t hit Japan, Russia for exceeding minke whale quota, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Ford decided not to impose sanctions on Japan or the Soviet Union for exceeding International Whaling Commission minke whale quotas. He based the decision on progress in international ocean conservation negotiations.
• $1-billion Hawaii native claims settlement bill re-introduced, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sen. Spark Matsunaga reintroduced legislation to compensate native Hawaiians for lands taken at annexation. He described how Hawaiian land was lost through European concepts of ownership and the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

Community

• Seattle JACLer named Asian-American Affairs Commissioner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Gilbert Hirabayashi, a Seattle JACL member, was appointed Asian-American Affairs Commissioner by Washington Governor Dan Evans. The commission makes recommendations to the governor on programs and laws affecting Asian Americans.
• Interracial marriage among Nikkei rising, by Glenn Omatsu, page 1. Hawaii statistics show about 50 percent of Nikkei marriages in recent years were interracial. The author examines what this trend means for the future shape of the Japanese American community.
• Filipino Nisei mayor locates uncle in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Genaro B. Yamamoto, mayor of Silvino Lubos in the Philippines, met his Japanese uncle and aunt in Wakayama after locating them. His father had emigrated to the Philippines in 1905 and died in a concentration camp during the war.
• Harano looks into politics for alderman post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ross Harano sought the Democratic endorsement for alderman of Chicago’s 48th Ward but the committee chose Arnold Levy. Harano said his candidacy demonstrated Asian willingness to participate in politics.
• JTB packages land tour specials for JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan Travel Bureau International is offering discounted land tours to JACL members traveling to Japan in 1975. The tours require a minimum of 30 persons to maintain the special pricing.
• Japanese studies at primary levels proves popular in S.F., by Kazuko Kajimura, page 3. San Francisco’s voluntary Japanese bilingual education program, now in its second year, serves students at Emerson Elementary and Twin Peaks Kindergarten. The program has strong community support and a long waiting list, with funding from federal, state, and district sources.
• Chinese New Year Asian Arts Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A week-long Asian Arts Festival in Bethesda, Maryland celebrates the cultures of seven Asian nations through displays and performances. The festival culminates with Chinese New Year and includes awards to public servants.

JACL

• Sophia University — In and Out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Winners of the JAL-JACL Cultural Heritage Fellowships will study at Sophia University in Tokyo this summer. The program includes six weeks of study in English followed by two weeks of independent travel.

Commentary

• Hiring ban on illegal aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. House Judiciary Chairman Peter Rodino is prioritizing a bill to penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Civil libertarians have raised objections that the measure could lead to national identity document requirements.
• Letters: Whales, by Yone Wu Stafford, page 2. A letter writer criticizes conservation groups for their campaign against Japanese whaling, arguing that Japanese whaling is limited to nine species and that the protein is important to Japan. The writer urges such groups to focus on other real cruelty problems.
• Today’s Buddhism in U.S., by Vickie Ong, page 2. Smith College professor Taitetsu Unno says Buddhist institutions in America have failed to meet today’s social needs, including subtle racial discrimination. He describes Kegon philosophy as a path toward nonviolence and compassion.
• Feeling Different Pressures?, by Stan Kiyokawa, page 2. The PNW-IDC regional office reports on its new secretary, membership recruitment efforts, and youth program development. It also outlines upcoming regional events and chapter visitation plans.
• Harry K. Honda — Editor’s Desk: Leaders Come and Go, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor reflects on the turnover of world leaders during the past year and the leadership challenges facing JACL chapters at the start of 1975. He praises the volunteers who lead local chapters.

Military & Veterans

• Minetta co-sponsors bill to create Cabinet panel for Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta joined Reps. Glenn Anderson and Spark Matsunaga as co-sponsors of HR 182 establishing a Cabinet Committee for Asian American Affairs. Mineta said the committee could address continuing racism and exclusion faced by Asian Americans.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.