Redress, camp reunions and an Abernathy mission to Tokyo

Vol. 94, No. 16, April 23, 1982. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page of this April 1982 issue carried Rev. Ralph Abernathy’s trip to Tokyo, where he asked Japanese companies to invest in black American businesses, alongside the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors’ demotion of Dr. Thomas Noguchi. Inside, the paper turned to the World War II incarceration (often called internment). John Tateishi wrote on why Japanese Americans waited 40 years to seek redress, Bill Hosokawa described a Heart Mountain reunion of nearly 1,000 people in Los Angeles, and Ron Wakabayashi wrote about plans for a memorial at Rohwer.

The JACL pages included Lily Okura’s bid for national president and Henry Sakai’s account of the organization’s budget and membership. Community news from California covered a Gardena arson series, a San Francisco City College professor’s death, and a 21-year-old’s slot machine win in Las Vegas. Dr. Arthur Sasahara’s “Reunion at Happy Valley” recalled his classmates at Gila River.

What’s in this issue

National

• Rev. Abernathy Asks Japan Firms to Invest in Black Communities, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Civil rights leader Rev. Ralph Abernathy led a delegation to Tokyo to persuade Japanese companies to invest in black American businesses, proposing technical training and investments matching the $150 billion ‘gross national product’ of black Americans. He said the delegation had Reagan Administration backing and would seek joint ventures in agribusiness, manufacturing, media and construction.
• Noguchi to Fight Demotion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi was demoted by the Board of Supervisors on a 4-1 vote amid charges of mismanagement, chaos in operations, and conflicts with outside consulting work. Noguchi and his attorney Isaac vowed to appeal to the Civil Service Commission and fight the demotion, which ironically would come with a pay raise.
• Anti-Japanese Resentment in U.S. Growing, page 1. A New York Times report found that American resentment toward Japan is increasing after a long postwar trend of admiration, driven by trade imbalances and job losses especially in the auto industry. Polls showed favorable opinion of Japan dropping from 84% in 1980 to 63% in 1982, with growing support for import restrictions.
• Judge Tashima Rules College District Denied Worker’s Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Federal Judge A. Wallace Tashima ruled that the Los Angeles Community College District violated the constitutional rights of former campus police officer Jacqueline Jones by firing her without a proper hearing. Jones, represented by Sansei attorney Gerald Sato, was awarded $9,000 and attorneys’ fees after the court rejected the district’s 11th Amendment defense.
• Noguchi Continued: Community Support and Appeal Details, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article continues coverage of the Noguchi demotion case, detailing Supervisor Hahn’s alternative reorganization proposal that was rejected, and the eight specific issues the Civil Service Commission will examine in Noguchi’s appeal. A $30-per-plate testimonial dinner for Noguchi drew about 400 attendees including celebrities, raising funds for an advertising campaign seeking a fair hearing.
• Acupuncture Used for Treating Drug Addicts, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Darryl Inaba, director of the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic’s drug rehabilitation program, told the New York Times that acupuncture is being used to treat hard-core heroin addicts. He noted acupuncture suppresses withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Community

• Takahashi Voted Mayor of Marina, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Takahashi, a board member of the Monterey Peninsula JACL, won his first full term as mayor of Marina with 58.5% of the vote. He is a retired Army first sergeant who has served on the city council since 1979.
• Video of L.A. CWRIC Hearings Slated Apr. 30, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A videotape of the CWRIC Los Angeles hearings will be shown April 30 at the Lighted Schoolhouse in Los Angeles. The event is sponsored by JACL, NCRR and Nora Sterry School.
• Students Demonstrate at UCLA Law School Over Minority Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 20 UCLA students, mostly Latino and Asian, briefly occupied the law school’s admissions office to protest proposed changes to minority admissions policy, including eliminating student interviews and excluding Asian applicants from the affirmative action program. The dean signed a statement promising no policy change this semester or summer, ending the demonstration.
• Fukai Re-elected to Gardena Council, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mas Fukai won a third term on the Gardena city council with 3,661 votes, while Gwen Duffy became the first woman elected to the council. The article also reports election results for Japanese American candidates in Carson, La Palma, Long Beach, and Monterey Park.
• Gardena Churches Wary of Arsonist, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pastors and priests in Gardena increased security after a string of arson attacks, including three fires at the Gardena Buddhist Temple and incidents at a Baptist church and Catholic church. Police have no suspects but believe the same person may be responsible for the fires.
• New L.A. Produce Mart Project Delayed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Development of a new produce mart at 8th and Alameda Streets in Los Angeles was put on hold after the federal government threatened to withdraw funding. Officials are now renegotiating financial arrangements for the project.
• S.F. City College Professor Slain, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dudley Yasuda, a 43-year-old psychology professor at San Francisco City College, was shot to death while meeting with students, by a man who had previously threatened him. No suspect has been arrested, but police believe the assailant may have been an ex-student or psychiatric patient.
• CRA Renews Study Plan for East 1st/Alameda Area in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Community Redevelopment Agency is renewing a study for the East First-Alameda area in Los Angeles, with mixed reactions from property owners who fear the area could be converted from industrial to residential use. Bruce Kaji, president of Merit Savings and Loan, supported the renewed study after self-help efforts revealed problems with land acquisition.
• Testimonial Fete Set for Mayor Kato, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A testimonial dinner for Oxnard Mayor Dr. Tsujio Kato will be held May 8, marking his 11th year in public office. Kato is currently a candidate for the 36th District State Assembly seat in the June primaries.
• L.A. Health Official Feted at Retirement, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoneo Yamamoto retired after 36 years with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Health Services and was honored at a dinner at the Golden Dragon Restaurant. He served as president of the L.A. County Asian American Employees Assn. and was involved in numerous community organizations.
• Family Issues to Be Discussed in Gardena, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A program on ‘Contemporary Family Issues’ will be held on two Thursdays at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. It is sponsored by the Gardena Valley JACL, Sansei League, Friends of Richard, and other community groups.
• JACL Alarmed by Use of Racial Epithets in Golfing Scuffle, by P.C. Staff, page 6. JACL Regional Director George Kondo expressed concern to San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein over the alleged use of the term ‘Jap’ by off-duty police officers during a scuffle with Korean golfers at Cypress Hills golf course. The incident resulted in injuries and the arrest of golfer Jerry Kim, with Feinstein assuring a full investigation.
• Frank Yamasaki’s Work With Youth Cited by Berkeley JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Frank Yamasaki was honored at the Berkeley JACL High School Invitational Basketball Tournament for decades of service to Nikkei youth, including founding the tournament and the East Bay Youth Athletic Leagues. The article also recaps the tournament, won by Contra Costa JACL over defending champion San Jose JACL.
• Sonoma County Awards JACL Pins, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sonoma County JACL honored three longtime members—George Okamoto, Miyo Masaoka, and George Yokoyama—for their service to the community and chapter. Presentations were made by regional director George Kondo during the chapter’s New Year’s dinner.
• Ventura County Holds First General Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Ventura County JACL held its first general meeting with president Harry Kajihara discussing plans for a redress workshop. The chapter also held a dance with ballroom dance lessons taught by Kiyomi and June Yanagihara.
• Pan Asian JACL to Fete Mitsu Sonoda, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Pan Asian JACL and friends will honor 1000 Clubber Mitsu Sonoda at a dinner at the Wilshire Hyatt Hotel. Sonoda is active in 23 community organizations including the Los Angeles County Music Center’s Reach Out Program.
• Kimochi Home Granted $35,000, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Kimochi, Inc. received a $35,000 grant from the San Francisco Foundation to aid Japanese elderly in the city, part of $3,033,500 in grants to Bay Area organizations. Kimochi has raised $127,000 toward a $200,000 goal needed to secure a $100,000 challenge grant from the Koret Foundation for a new Issei home care center.
• Sansei Hits Jackpot, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Wayne Fukuhara, a 21-year-old CSU Long Beach student, won $385,000 from a slot machine at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas after spending only about $110. He is eligible for the Super Pot of Gold Championship Tournament in Reno in 1983 and plans to use winnings toward tuition.

JACL

• Lily Okura in Bid for No. 1 JACL Post, page 1. Lily A. Okura, director of personnel for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, announced her candidacy for National JACL president, becoming the second candidate after Floyd Shimomura. Nominations committee chair Cherry Kinoshita expressed concern over low response to the call for candidates and extended the nomination deadline to May 8.
• Nat’l JACL Credit Union Passes $5 Million Mark in Total Assets, by P.C. Staff, page 6. National JACL Credit Union board chairman Nobe Iwamoto reported total assets of $4,890,936, just passing the $5 million mark, in his year-end message. A 7% dividend plus a 2% fourth-quarter bonus was declared for 1981, and maximum share and loan protection limits were increased.
• Nakanishi Heads San Mateo JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Richard Nakanishi outlined a four-point goal as new San Mateo JACL chapter president, including continued redress participation and a senior citizen building program. Outgoing president Suzu Kunitani recounted 1981 achievements including a local history book project.

Commentary

• 40-Year Wait, by John Tateishi, page 2. John Tateishi reflects on why Japanese Americans waited 40 years to seek redress, citing both the practical struggle to rebuild financial security after camp and the deeper psychological trauma of incarceration. He notes many Nisei never discussed their camp experiences even with close family, a silence borne out in CWRIC hearings.
• Budget and Finances, by Henry Sakai, page 4. JACL board member Henry Sakai explains the difficulty of forecasting the JACL budget, noting that 1981 expenditures were held to about $740,000 against an approved $821,590 budget, leaving a reserve of $42,000. He discusses the 1982 budget of $919,670, sources of income, and the need to reverse declining membership from a 1977 peak of 30,000 to 26,615 in 1981.
• BCA President, by Rev. George E. Shibata, page 4. A letter to the editor corrects a prior article, noting that Herb Osaki is not the first Oregonian to head the Buddhist Churches of America, since George Iseri of the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Church served as president from 1971-72. Iseri is also noted as an active JACL member of the Snake River Chapter.
• Commitment and Structure, by Bill Yoshino, page 5. Bill Yoshino describes the Midwest District’s efforts in JACL’s national redress campaign, highlighting Shirley Nakatsukasa’s fundraising work for the Hoosier Chapter and the Milwaukee chapter’s successful lobbying for a compensation resolution in the Wisconsin legislature. He credits the JACL’s organizational structure and network of chapters for enabling such campaigns to succeed.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nisei Heart Problems Explored in New Film, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A 30-minute film about Nisei suffering from cardiac ailments was produced for airing on local PBS stations in San Diego. The American Heart Association also held heart information programs in Inglewood and Gardena to educate on heart disease risk among minority communities including Nikkei.

In-Depth

• Reunion at Happy Valley, by Arthur A. Sasahara, M.D., page 4. Dr. Arthur Sasahara recounts reconnecting with former Gila River camp classmate Sachi (Wada) Seko after a 38-year separation, sparked by reading her writing in the Pacific Citizen. He describes visiting her and her husband Ernie in Salt Lake City, reminiscing about Gila classmates and enjoying her characteristically sassy and humorous personality.

Incarceration & Redress

• Heart Mountain Reunion: A Warm Occasion, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa describes a reunion of former Heart Mountain WWII internment camp inmates held at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, attended by nearly 1,000 people including Congressman Norman Mineta as banquet speaker. He reflects on the celebratory atmosphere as former internees reminisced, calling it evidence of triumph over a shared injustice.
• A Place Called Rohwer, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 5. Ron Wakabayashi discusses viewing a videotape about the Rohwer internment camp, where his father was incarcerated, and describes efforts by former internee Sam Yada to build a memorial at the camp site to be dedicated on Memorial Day. NBC plans to cover the dedication, which will honor Nisei veterans from the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regiment, and Wakabayashi urges West Coast Nikkei to contribute to the memorial fund.

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