Vol. 83, No. 14, October 1, 1976. 4 pages. View this issue
The JACL honored retiring U.S. Senator Hiram Fong with a resolution of appreciation from its 24th Biennial National Convention, and the front page told the story of his career from Hawaii’s legislature to the Senate. The same page reported on the Tazuko Artemik case, in which a Florida court gave her two children to her American ex-husband. The JACL National Board backed her appeal and authorized $1,000 toward it, and an editorial on page 2 called the ruling unbelievable.
Other stories include the dedication of the 63-bed Seattle Keiro Nursing Home, plans for a five-story Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo, and the 41st Division Association’s support for a pardon for Iva Toguri. Columns by Harry K. Honda, Sachi Seko and Richard Gima fill pages 2 and 4, and page 4 also covers the film Wataridori and a review of Kaseki.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Seattle Keiro Home Dedicated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Numerous civic and Japanese community leaders gathered Sept. 19 to dedicate the 63-bed Seattle Keiro Nursing Home, which began admitting residents that week. Organizers said the facility fulfills a longtime Nikkei community dream of bilingual, bicultural health care.
- Re-enactment of Pearl Harbor attack shocks Nikkei watching Reno air races, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Harry Hatasaka protested announcers’ repeated use of the slur ‘Jap’ during a Pearl Harbor re-enactment at the Reno air races. He called for an apology from the event organizers.
- Placer Goodwill Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Placer County JACL announced Dr. Rex Gunn, working on a Tokyo Rose film script, will speak at its 36th annual goodwill dinner Nov. 6 in Penryn. Tickets are limited and available through chapter members and local businesses.
- 5-story JACCC construction due to start in March, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Plans were announced for a $2.5 million five-story Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo, with construction slated for March. The first phase will sit on a 2.7-acre parcel on S. San Pedro St. and includes a 200-seat exhibit hall.
- Frank Yamakoshi retires as head custodian at school, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Longtime Reedley JACL member Frank Yamakoshi retired after 24 years as head custodian at Washington School, where a plaque will honor him. He plans to visit Japan this fall to meet relatives and his five daughters.
- Torrance-Gardena Branch, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Merit Savings moved its Torrance-Gardena office into a new two-story building at 185th and S. Western Ave. The branch features bullet-resistant teller windows and has grown to $4.5 million in deposits in under two years.
- Nikkei raise $90,000 for UCLA Alumni Center, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Americans of Japanese Ancestry group raised over $90,000 in pledges for the James F. West Alumni Center at UCLA in under four months. The campaign aims for $100,000 to purchase the Founders courtyard.
JACL
- Tribute to U.S. Senator Hiram Fong, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Retiring Senator Hiram Fong was honored by the JACL for his long service to the organization and Japanese Americans, receiving a resolution of appreciation from the 24th Biennial National Convention. The article traces his humble origins, education, and career from Hawaii’s legislature to the U.S. Senate.
Incarceration & Redress
- Tazuko Artemik Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Florida circuit court transferred custody of two children from Japanese-born mother Tazuko Artemik to her American ex-husband, citing cultural differences in parenting. The JACL National Board supported an appeal and authorized $1,000 toward the legal effort.
National
- Backing Democrat opposing Bannai, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta apologized at a Los Angeles reception for appearing to support Democratic challenger Cindy Wear against Assemblyman Paul Bannai, though he denied endorsing her. The controversy drew criticism from Nikkei columnists and campaign figures.
Military & Veterans
- 41st Div. vets still pro-Iva Toguri pardon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 41st Division Association unanimously endorsed a presidential pardon for Iva Toguri, known as Tokyo Rose, according to JACL committee chairman Dr. Clifford Uyeda. Members recalled her broadcasts and many wrote supportive messages to the association’s newsletter.
Commentary
- The Cheap Yen Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial responds to Rep. Henry Reuss’s charge that Japan holds down the yen to boost exports, which Japanese officials denied in high-level talks. It argues that trade frictions stem from broader economic factors and that Japan’s nontariff barriers deserve attention.
- The Unbelievable Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial condemns a Florida judge’s custody ruling that cited the Japanese-born mother’s cultural background as grounds for finding her unfit. JACL pledged financial support for her appeal, questioning whether courts should weigh cultural heritage.
- A Humbling Experience, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Marutani reflects on being honored with a testimonial dinner in Philadelphia alongside the Hayashi scholarship presentation. He describes the generous gifts, including a bound book of letters and a large portrait, as deeply humbling.
- Where’s the ‘Real World’?, by Sachi Seko, page 2. Seko reflects on her son’s reluctance to leave college and enter what he calls ‘the real world,’ questioning where that place actually exists. She concludes that a ‘Happy Valley’ state of mind may be the true destination.
- Japan Today, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A roundup of news from Japan covering consumer price hikes, school lunch cost increases, a cold summer threatening rice harvests, and growing organic farming. Each item briefly summarizes the development.
- Hawaii Today, by Richard Gima, page 4. A column of Hawaii news covering the state’s June employment rate, the death penalty ruling’s impact, acupuncture licensing results, sugar industry earnings, and University of Hawaii enrollment decline. It also notes names in the news and political developments.
Arts & Entertainment
- Wataridori wins L.A. Art Center prize, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Robert A. Nakamura’s documentary film Wataridori, tracing Japanese immigration through three Issei, received an award of merit at the seventh annual L.A. Art Center International Exhibition. The film has aired on educational TV.
- Kaseki film reviewed in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 3.5-hour Japanese film Kaseki, directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring Shin Saburi, opened at the New Yorker Theater. New York Times critic Vincent Canby called it a monumental, contemplative work about a dying self-made businessman.
Obituaries
- Saiki Muneno, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Saiki Muneno, 75, of South San Francisco died after a short illness. He was a founding member of the National JACL in 1929 and became the charter president of the San Mateo County JACL in 1935.
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