Nikkei mayors in California, and A-bomb survivors seeking help

Vol. 86, No. 13, April 7, 1978. 8 pages. View this issue

Japanese Americans in public life were the thread running through this eight-page issue. Kenichi Nishino was appointed mayor of Hemet, bringing the number of Japanese American mayors in California to eight, and Clifford L. Uyeda wrote in his column that Nikkei political involvement has taken root since the Evacuation. Elsewhere on the front page, Pat Tashima reported on Los Angeles hearings on HR 5150, where atomic bomb survivors and JACL representatives urged federal help with medical treatment. Reports of racial slurs involving a Berkeley postmaster and a Seattle judge also appeared.

Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa on Taiwan, William Marutani on what JACL should take up next, and Sachi Seko on truth between a mother and daughter, plus a page of letters on reparation and the Bakke case. Page 6 carries news of the Mountain Plains District meeting in Omaha and the JACL-Hagiwara student aid deadline of June 30.

What’s in this issue

Community

• California has one more Nikkei mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kenichi Nishino was appointed mayor of Hemet, raising the number of Japanese American mayors in California to eight. Other Nikkei officials featured include Sak Yamamoto of Carson and Nao Takasugi of Oxnard, who became mayor pro tem.
• Berkeley postmaster charged with racial stereotyping, slurs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Berkeley Post Office employees and supervisors called for an impartial investigation of postmaster Harry McGannon over alleged racial slurs, including use of the term ‘Japs’, and deteriorating service. Employees say the Western Region office has protected him.
• Wirin memorial in L.A. April 9, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A public tribute honoring the late civil rights attorney A.L. Wirin will be held April 9 at the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles. Speakers include leaders who knew Wirin well, and the event is co-sponsored by JACL and the ACLU.
• Political roots taking hold, by Clifford L. Uyeda, page 4. Columnist Clifford Uyeda notes that eight Japanese Americans are now mayors in California, with Nikkei political involvement growing since the Evacuation. He argues JACL’s commitment to civic participation has taken solid root.
• Japanese center rated top ten, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sacramento Japanese community center program ranked among the top 10 agencies evaluated for county revenue sharing funds. The center’s staff and volunteers serve many committees promoting services for Asian communities.
• District legal fund benefits from art show, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Proceeds from the Japanese American Arts and Craft Exhibit held May 17-19 in Mountain View went to the Northern California-Western Nevada JACL Legal Assistance Fund. The fund supports racial discrimination impact cases.
• Student, faculty attitudes challenge Sacramento City College president, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sacramento City College president Jack Fujimoto has faced budget problems and faculty tensions since his appointment last July. He is pursuing a recruitment drive called Project 2,000 to attract more students.
• Art exhibit at UCLA, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Forty Asian American artists will exhibit their works at UCLA’s Ackerman Student Union during Asian Perspectives week. The exhibit is part of a week-long series on Asian and Pacific Island peoples in the U.S.

Military & Veterans

• Hibakusha ask for gov’t help, by Pat Tashima, page 1. At Los Angeles hearings on HR 5150, atomic bomb survivors and JACL representatives urged federal assistance for medical treatment of A-bomb survivors in the U.S. Testimony described survivors’ health suffering and discrimination, and the bill’s congressional sponsors expressed sympathy.

Incarceration & Redress

• Nikkei public defender faults judge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle public defender Lewis Nomura was reportedly rebuked by Judge Horton Smith with a racially charged remark during a December hearing. A three-judge committee is reviewing the incident, and the Seattle JACL has condemned the slur.

Obituaries

• Kenji Nakane, Builder of Community Bridges, by Shig Wakamatsu, page 2. Chicago JACL member Shig Wakamatsu remembers Kenji Nakane, who died Feb. 7, as a community servant who organized Americanization classes and naturalization courses for Issei. Nakane is remembered as a bridge-builder between diverse groups in Chicago.
• Kaz Mayemura, 58, dies of leukemia, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kaz Mayemura, former San Gabriel Valley JACL president, died March 28 of leukemia at age 58. He had been active in the Japanese American community and JACLers nationwide responded to a call for blood donations to assist him.

Commentary

• Real Identity Crisis (Part XX), by Clifford L. Uyeda, page 4. Uyeda argues that Americans often fail to distinguish Japanese Americans from Japanese nationals, and that many in the U.S. remain unaware that the wartime incarceration targeted their own citizens. He cites Canada’s apology to Japan as a contrast.
• Letters to the editor on reparation, Bakke case, and Nova Academy, by Gunnar Olsborg; Sam Honda; Masaru Odoi; Taro J. Kawakami; George Kondo, page 4. Readers debate reparation for Japanese Americans, with some supporting monetary restitution and others preferring a flat payment program. Other letters criticize JACL’s stance on the Bakke case and question a Nova Academy response.
• Pilgrimage for Truth, by Sachi Seko, page 5. Columnist Sachi Seko recalls childhood conflicts with her mother over honesty and speaking up, and how the question of truth remained unresolved between them. The column reflects on her mother’s death and the search for truth after her passing.
• Taiwan Today, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa observes that Taiwan’s ethnic rift between native Taiwanese and mainland Chinese has largely healed over a generation. He credits education, a national language policy, and intermarriage for the change.
• And let the rest of the world go by, by William Marutani, page 5. William Marutani urges JACL to move beyond introspection and address broader issues such as the Bakke case, trade balances, and Mideast peace. He calls for the organization to take a more active public stance.

National

• It’s now up to U.S. business to boost sales in Japan, by Sen. S.I. Hayakawa, page 4. Senator S.I. Hayakawa argues American firms can increase sales in Japan through better market research and product design suited to Japanese homes and tastes. He cites Kikkoman soy sauce’s U.S. success as a model for reverse marketing.

JACL

• Omaha to host April 7-9 meet of Mountain Plains District, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mountain Plains District Council will meet in Omaha to prepare for the national JACL convention, covering reparation, youth programs, Nisei retirement, and budget. Speakers include national president James Murakami.
• JACL-Hagiwara student aid application deadline June 30, by P.C. Staff, page 6. JACL announces that applications for the 1978 Abe Hagiwara Student Aid grants are due June 30, with awards of $200 to $500 for students with financial need. The program has no age limit and can fund any level of schooling.
• Houston JACL officers and guest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Houston JACL installed its 1978 officers at a February ceremony attended by guest speaker Mike Masaoka. The photo caption identifies the officers and their roles.

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