Redress, Asian absence on TV and Yankee Samurai

Vol. 88, No. 34, March 16, 1979. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress ran through the Commentary pages of this 12-page issue. Clifford Uyeda wrote that the 1942 mass eviction was an act of mass paranoia, Bill Doi answered common arguments against Redress with the words “It Was Wrong!”, and Bruce Shimizu and John Tani each urged JACL not to give up on Senator S.I. Hayakawa, who had spoken against it. Karl Nobuyuki wrote about a difficult JACL Redress Committee meeting chaired by John Tateishi. On the front page, a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report found Asian and Pacific Island Americans largely absent from television drama and news.

Three pages carry excerpts from Joseph Harrington’s book Yankee Samurai, on Nisei in Military Intelligence Service work across the Pacific. George Sakaguchi described a visit to the former Rohwer site, and Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani wrote lighter family columns. Joe Oyama profiled dancer Yuriko Amemiya and her husband Charles Kikuchi, and the front page also reported on Japan America Societies forming a national association.

What’s in this issue

National

• Japan America Societies form national association, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan America Societies in the United States organized a committee to incorporate a national association by July 1. The group will be headquartered in Japan House, New York, with an estimated annual budget of $40,000.
• Committee calls for ’80 chapter flight plans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL travel committee asked chapters to report 1980 flight dates by specified deadlines. Earlier submissions give the air carriers a better chance to confirm the dates JACL desires.
• Community college to open overseas campus in Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kansai University of Foreign Studies will open an overseas campus at Aina Haina in Honolulu in April 1980. The program will prepare students for business in the U.S. and Japan.
• Window dressing on the set: Asian absence in TV, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report finds Asian and Pacific Island Americans are largely absent from television drama and news. The report urges the FCC to hold a public inquiry into industry practices regarding minorities and women.
• Alien seniors on public aid barred re-entry into U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The INS has reportedly excluded elderly Asian permanent residents receiving SSI who travel abroad. Community immigration specialists urge elderly lawful residents receiving SSI not to leave the country.

Commentary

• Only West Coast public official to condemn Evacuation proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tacoma mayor Harry P. Cain opposed the 1942 Evacuation proposal at the Tolan Committee hearings in Seattle. His testimony and the Chairman’s response are excerpted.
• Paranoia, by Clifford Uyeda, page 4. JACL President Clifford Uyeda argues the 1942 mass eviction of Japanese Americans was a case of mass paranoia rooted in the Yellow Peril tradition. He urges readers to resist paranoid leaders through psychological resilience and skepticism.
• Set to Go, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 4. The author reflects on a difficult JACL Redress Committee meeting chaired by John Tateishi. He praises the chair’s handling of heated discussion and calls for members to support the Redress effort.
• The MacArthur Era, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A reader writes in response to Mas Manbo’s reminiscences, identifying staff members of the Japan Times newsroom during the Occupation. The letter recalls several Nisei editors and writers who worked there.
• People of Taiwan, by Elsie R. Renne, page 4. A letter writer questions who the people of Taiwan are, noting that the native population has little representation under martial law. She suggests a United Nations plebiscite to determine Taiwan’s future.
• Abstract Art, by Ernest Tadao, page 4. A letter writer responds to Judge Bill Marutani’s comments on abstract art. He argues abstract art reflects personal lifestyle and that public acceptance depends on the viewer’s level of understanding.
• Ojiisan, by Mike Horii, page 4. A reader corrects an earlier letter about the Japanese terms for grandparents, citing his mother-in-law’s guidance. He explains when sofu and sobo apply versus ojiisan and obaasan.
• Washington Wrap-Up: The Man-on-the-Street, by Ronald Ikejiri, page 4. The columnist recounts a conversation with John Tateishi about bringing the Redress issue to the average American. He notes the difficulty of presenting Redress to ordinary people on the street.
• Higher Education VII, by Nobuyuki Nakajima, page 4. The columnist argues that self-confidence can be built through education and experience rather than innate ability. He offers a method of seeking capable advisors, asking their advice, and deciding independently.
• Parents Never Listen, by Bill Marutani, page 5. The author reflects on his strong-willed mother’s refusal to listen to his legal advice and her acceptance of contrary counsel from friends. He observes that his own Sansei children may similarly resist parental advice.
• The Best-Dined Arbeiter, by Gene Konomi, page 5. A recollection of Mr. Y., who worked as a porter at a New York saloon in the prewar years and took advantage of free lunch buffets. The piece reflects on the vanished saloon culture of that era.
• A Young Couple Today, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa describes attending a wedding of a Sansei man and a Caucasian woman in Vancouver, Washington. He notes that guests accepted the interracial marriage without comment, reflecting changed attitudes.
• To Sen. Hayakawa: Let’s not give up on…, by Bruce Shimizu, page 6. NC-WNDYC chairperson Bruce Shimizu criticizes Senator S.I. Hayakawa’s public opposition to Redress. He argues that Redress is a matter of justice and that JACL should not abandon the cause.
• Speaking Out: Let’s not give up on Senator Hayakawa, by John Tani, page 6. John Tani argues Senator Hayakawa misunderstands the premises of Redress, which concerns denial of constitutional rights rather than benefits. He urges that the senator not be abandoned in the effort to educate him.
• It Was Wrong!, by Bill Doi, page 6. Twin Cities JACLer Bill Doi responds to common arguments against Redress, asserting that Evacuation was wrong regardless of time elapsed or unanimity. He argues that pursuing justice is never degrading.

Community

• Getting to Know You: Charlie and Yuriko, by Joe Oyama, page 3. Joe Oyama profiles dancer Yuriko Amemiya and her husband Charles Kikuchi, who travel widely for her directing and choreography work. The article describes her direction of The King and I in Japan and their upcoming engagements.
• Rohwer revisited, Locals wonder why, by George Sakaguchi, page 8. MDC vice-governor George Sakaguchi describes a visit with his daughter to the former Rohwer Relocation Center site. He reports the cemetery and monuments are well cared for and calls for a marker identifying the campsite.

In-Depth

• Yankee Samurai excerpts: Nisei in the Pacific War, by Joseph Harrington, page 9. An excerpt from Joseph Harrington’s book describes Nisei linguists of the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific campaigns. It covers their translation work, the Alamo Scouts, and the formation of Merrill’s Marauders.

Military & Veterans

• Yankee Samurai: Kazuo Komoto and the Purple Heart, by Joseph Harrington, page 9. Kazuo Komoto receives a Purple Heart from General Beightler after being wounded aboard a hospital ship in July 1943. A photo shows him later showing the medal to his brother incarcerated at Gila River.
• Yankee Samurai: Nisei Intelligence in New Guinea and Beyond, by Joseph Harrington, page 10. This installment covers Nisei MIS operations in New Guinea, Tarawa, and Makin along with the experiences of Nisei soldiers in Australian units. It also describes Richard Sakakida’s guerrilla work in Manila.
• Yankee Samurai: Burma, Bougainville, and Arawe, by Joseph Harrington, page 11. The chapter follows Nisei soldiers through Bougainville, Arawe, and the broader Pacific campaign. It discusses Kiyoshi Hirano’s work on Japanese petroleum files and the criticisms of MacArthur’s strategy.

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