Volunteerism, the Iva Toguri pardon petition and a Nisei retirement conference

Vol. 83, No. 21, November 19, 1976. 4 pages. View this issue

Volunteers carried the work of JACL in this four-page issue. Don Hayashi’s front-page column credited them for the campaign to win a Presidential pardon for Iva Toguri d’Aquino, who prepared to file her petition with attorney Wayne Collins, and for the first Nisei retirement planning conference in San Francisco. Other front-page stories followed the jury selection in Wendy Yoshimura’s trial in Alameda County, a $1,800 request to phase out the Portland regional office, and the 1976 Christmas Cheer drive.

Inside are Edison Uno’s account of the first reunion of former Amache internees in Granada, Colorado, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on Sansei trying out Japanese in Japan. Henry S. Sakai wrote on the evacuation issue, Denise Matsuda on the Presidential Classroom program, and Wayne Horiuchi on Social Security wage credits. Page 4 reports that Col. Mamoru Sugimoto became a brigadier general in the Canadian forces.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Volunteerism—The JACL Lifeline, by Don Hayashi, page 1. JACL’s strength depends on its volunteers, who drive programs such as the Iva Toguri pardon campaign and the Nisei Retirement Planning Conference. The column urges full membership participation to carry these efforts forward.

Commentary

• Whale Issue Committee, page 1. JACL’s Whale Issue Committee criticizes Dr. Paul Spong of Greenpeace for statements that it says harm Japanese Americans and undermine whale conservation. The committee argues that a boycott approach fuels anti-Japanese sentiment rather than saving whales.
• Japanese National Character and Japanese Americans, by Mamoru Iga, page 1. Mamoru Iga responds to Barry Saiki by arguing that Japanese people have latent nationalism and are susceptible to manipulation due to traits shaped by education and tradition. He contends that Japanese Americans should understand these dynamics to evaluate Japanese culture through the lens of democracy.
• Evacuation Issue, by Henry S. Sakai, page 2. Henry Sakai replies to a letter criticizing the use of the evacuation issue in campaigns, arguing that community members should speak out on issues affecting them. He urges more engagement rather than silence on threats to Japanese Americans’ well-being.
• PCYA Enrollment, by Denise Matsuda, page 2. Denise Matsuda, a PCYA alumna, endorses the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans program sponsored by JACL. She describes seminars and meetings with lawmakers that deepened her understanding of government.
• Wendy Yoshimura Trial, by Wendy Yoshimura, page 2. Wendy Yoshimura thanks supporters for their help and reports on jury selection, which has revealed racist attitudes among prospective jurors. She stresses that community support is essential for a fair trial for Third World defendants.
• Christmas Cheer, by Steve Nakajima, page 2. Steve Nakajima, co-chairman of the 1976 Orange County JACL Christmas Cheer, urges support for needy Asian Americans in a year of economic strain. He notes that the $15,000 goal will provide small but meaningful gifts to recipients.
• Nisei-Nourished Nihongo, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa shares humorous accounts of Sansei struggling with the Japanese language during visits to Japan, drawing parallels to Issei experiences. The column highlights how language gaps lead to both frustration and amusing misunderstandings.
• Wayne Horiuchi column on Social Security wage credit, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 3. The column explains that Japanese Americans who were held by the US government may be eligible for Social Security wage credits under a 1977 amendment. It outlines eligibility requirements and how to apply through local offices.

Community

• Pacific Northwest seeks $1,800 budget to phase out Portland office, page 1. The Pacific Northwest District Council requested $1,800 annually from National JACL to hire a part-time office person while phasing out the Portland regional office. The plan aims to minimize disruption to information and services during the coming biennium.
• Japan Air Lines mark silver anniversary, page 1. Japan Air Lines celebrated its 25th anniversary, recounting its growth from its first domestic flight in 1951 to its international and polar routes. The airline now ranks No. 4 among IATA carriers by revenue ton kilometers.
• 75 pints of blood donated for San Gabriel Valley JACL president, page 1. Many donors responded to a plea for blood for San Gabriel Valley JACL president Kazuo Mayemura, who is being treated for aplastic anemia. The Red Cross bloodmobile collected 78 pints at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.
• Hayashi and Watanabe named to 1976 Christmas Cheer effort, page 1. The 1976 Christmas Cheer campaign, led by the Pacific Southwest JACL District Council and local chapters, seeks $15,000 to aid needy Japanese Americans. Contributions are to be sent to a designated account.
• Amache Catharsis, by Edison Uno, page 2. Edison Uno recounts attending the first reunion of former Amache internees in Granada, Colorado, which drew over 700 people. He describes the emotional release of the gathering as a catharsis for a generation long silent about their wartime experience.

National

• Wendy Yoshimura’s trial enters fourth week as jury selection continues, by Lee Ruttle, page 1. Jury selection in Wendy Yoshimura’s Alameda County trial advanced slowly as prospective jurors were questioned about prejudice. The target date for seating a jury was set for Nov. 18.
• Toguri pardon petition filed with Pres. Ford, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino and attorney Wayne Collins prepared to file a Presidential pardon petition, with a San Francisco press conference planned. JACL chapters were alerted to forward their petitions and resolutions to the White House.

In-Depth

• Preparing Nisei to retire, page 1. JACL’s first Nisei retirement planning conference in San Francisco aimed to address the needs of roughly 120,000 middle-aged Japanese Americans approaching retirement. A working paper examined Nisei cultural factors, social security, and demographic data to inform recommendations.

Military & Veterans

• First Nisei in Canadian forces named general, page 4. Col. Mamoru Sugimoto of Raymond, Alberta, became the first Japanese Canadian promoted to brigadier general. He serves as director-general of communications and electronics engineering at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa.

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