Redress and the CWRIC report: Hayakawa, Matsui and Dymally

Vol. 95, No. 25, December 17, 1982. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen opened this issue with redress. Sen. S.I. Hayakawa spoke against financial reparations on the Senate floor on Dec. 7, and Rep. Robert Matsui answered with a critical letter. Rep. Mervyn Dymally introduced two redress bills calling for a community restoration fund and $25,000 for each evacuee. The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians was due to announce its findings on Dec. 20, and JACL’s redress committee was preparing a response. John Tateishi and Harry Kajihara appear in that coverage.

Elsewhere in the eight pages are a trade showdown between the U.S. and Japan ahead of Prime Minister Nakasone’s January visit, and the murder trial of Marine Sgt. George Biddy in San Diego. Bill Hosokawa reviews a book about the Niihau incident, and Raymond Okamura reviews Hosokawa’s “JACL in Quest of Justice.” Commentary comes from Henry Sakai, Miki Himeno, Judy Niizawa and Bill Marutani. Community notes include a photography class on Little Tokyo at the JACCC and plans for a PANA conference in Lima, Peru.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Matsui Chides Hayakawa for Dec. 7 Anti-Redress Speech, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. S.I. Hayakawa warned against financial reparations for Japanese Americans in a Senate floor speech marking the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, prompting a sharply critical letter from Rep. Robert Matsui. Matsui accused Hayakawa of distorting the reality of internment and jeopardizing progress made by the CWRIC toward redress.
• Dymally Introduces NCRR Redress Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Mervyn Dymally introduced two redress bills in Congress calling for a community restoration fund and individual reparations of $25,000 per evacuee. Dymally acknowledged the bills have no chance of passage in the special session but hoped to spark public discussion and build support for reintroduction.
• CWRIC to Release Findings Dec. 20, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians is scheduled to announce its findings on Dec. 20, though recommendations may not be issued until January. Legislation is pending in Congress to extend the commission’s life.

National

• New Textbook Rules Announced in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan’s Education Minister announced new guidance requiring textbooks to give consideration to international understanding when describing wartime events with neighboring Asian nations. The move follows controversy over revisions that softened language about Japan’s wartime actions in China and Korea, including changing “invasion” to “advance.”
• U.S.-Japan Trade: Showdown Nears, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. issued an ultimatum to Japan demanding responses to trade complaints ahead of Prime Minister Nakasone’s planned visit with President Reagan in January. Deputy trade representative David Macdonald warned of possible protectionist measures including lot inspections of Japanese auto imports if Japan did not address issues like beef, citrus, and telecommunications market access.
• Marine Stands Trial in Auto Death of Japanese Students, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Marine Sgt. George Biddy’s murder trial began in San Diego over the deaths of three Japanese college students and their American guide in a border-crossing hit-and-run accident. Prosecutors described bodies hurled through the air, while the defense argued Biddy’s car lost brakes and steering during the crash.
• Japan May Have 1st Test-Tube Baby, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan’s first test-tube baby is expected to be born next fall at Tokushima University Medical Department if the fetus develops successfully. A research team led by Professor Takahide Mori trained in Australia and will attempt the procedure on a woman with no other possibility of becoming pregnant.
• U.S.-Japan Trade Deficit Details, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The U.S. trade deficit with Japan was $16 billion last year and continues to grow, prompting Nakasone to instruct his Cabinet to prepare responses to American trade complaints. Japan’s government emphasized that U.S.-Japan relations remain a top priority to be resolved in a practical, constructive manner.
• Murder Trial Continued: Biddy Details, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Further details of the Marine Sgt. George Biddy murder trial describe prosecution and defense arguments regarding the fatal border-crossing crash that killed three Japanese students and their American guide. The defense claimed Biddy’s car lost its brakes and steering, while prosecutors argued he fled the scene with wanton disregard for human life.
• U.S. Attorney General Tells of Yakuza, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Attorney General William French Smith warned that a Japanese version of the Mafia, the Yakuza, is moving into Hawaii and the western U.S. mainland, bringing amphetamines, prostitution, and gambling. Smith discussed a proposed mutual assistance treaty with Japan to exchange intelligence before the group gains a greater foothold.

Community

• Claim Forms for JA Former Calif. State Workers Issued, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Patrick Johnston’s office began sending claim forms to Japanese Americans eligible for compensation under Assembly Bill 2710, signed into law by Gov. Brown. Free notary services will be offered at several locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Sacramento, Penryn, and San Francisco.
• Hawaii’s 1st JA Office-Holder Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sanji Abe, the first American of Japanese ancestry elected to Hawaii’s territorial legislature, died Nov. 26 at age 87. Abe was interned for 19 months during WWII for possessing a Japanese flag and never returned to politics after his release.
• A-Bomb Survivors to Seek Hibakusha Research Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kanji Kuramoto, chairman of the Committee for Atomic Bomb Survivors in the United States, is building support for legislation to study American hibakusha. CABS plans to submit the research bill after more than a decade of unsuccessful attempts to secure medical benefits for atomic bomb survivors living in the U.S.
• Kimochi Home Gets $3,000 from JAL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japan Airlines Corporation donated $3,000 to Kimochi, Inc. toward construction of Kimochi Home, bringing JAL’s total contributions to approximately $5,000. JAL representatives have also participated in Kimochi fundraising events and volunteer programs.
• Photography Class Offered at JACCC, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Artist-in-residence Patrick Nagatani will conduct a photography workshop exploring Little Tokyo at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center starting in January. Enrollment is limited to 10 participants and there is no fee, though donations are encouraged.
• Wesley UMC Offers Mochitsuki Dec. 28-30, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose will hold its annual Mochitsuki event Dec. 28-30, taking orders beforehand at the church office. The church thanked Mr. and Mrs. John Ozawa of Shuei-Do Manju Shop for donating equipment and expertise.
• New Year’s Eve Fest Set by Legal Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Asian Legal Services Outreach will host a New Year’s Eve benefit dance in Sacramento to raise funds for community services. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
• PANA 1983 Conference Planned for Lima, Peru, by Chuck Kubokawa, page 6. Advance notice details plans for the second PANA Conference to be held in Lima, Peru in 1983, with registration deposits and coordination to go through JACL National Headquarters. The conference aims to connect Nikkei communities across 11 Pan American countries for cultural exchange, shared problem-solving, and future joint projects.

JACL

• JACL Set for CWRIC Report, by P.C. Staff, page 3. With the CWRIC findings due Dec. 20, the JACL National Committee for Redress is preparing a response, with Washington Representative Ron Ikejiri reporting to National HQ. JACL redress director John Tateishi noted the League will try to obtain a copy of the report and form a position statement for release by Dec. 20.
• PSW Redress Group to Meet Dec. 17, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The PSWDC will hold its third redress meeting on Friday, Dec. 17 at the JACCC Building in Los Angeles, chaired by Harry Kajihara.
• ‘Asians in America’ Series to Be Held by MDC Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Midwest District Council Human Rights Committee announced a series of summer courses for college and high school students called “Asians in America,” to be hosted first by the Twin Cities JACL Chapter in July 1983 at the University of Minnesota. The course will be taught by Dr. Nobuya Tsuchida and is designed to acquaint Sansei and Yonsei with the Japanese American experience.
• PSW Redress Chair Slated for TV Show, by P.C. Staff, page 3. PSWDC redress chair Harry Kajihara will appear on KTLA’s “Gallery” program hosted by Sumi Haru on Dec. 27 to discuss JACL and redress.

Commentary

• Membership Drive Needed, by Henry Sakai, page 4. PC Board Chair Henry Sakai expresses concern over declining Los Angeles JACL membership and calls for a vigorous, sustained membership drive in 1983, especially given publicity from the redress campaign. He highlights district award programs as incentives and praises the rising Sansei leadership within JACL.
• Long Range Planning, by Miki Himeno, page 4. Miki Himeno, JACL VP of Planning and Development, responds to the 1982 long-range planning report prepared under Lillian Kimura, noting its difficulty and the East-West coast differences reflected in it. She expresses concern that recommendations for structural change may portend reduction rather than revitalization, while praising JACL’s ongoing redress-related activities.
• Redress Forum, by Judy Niizawa, page 4. Judy Niizawa, co-chair of the Peninsula Redress Committee, recounts the well-attended Nov. 13 Stanford forum featuring JACL, NCRR, and NCJAR speakers discussing redress strategies. She calls for continued education and advocacy work and suggests the Pacific Citizen provide independent coverage of such events in the future.
• For the Record, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A correction clarifies that National JACL was named a recipient of a $10,000 grant upon recommendation from Chevron USA Inc., not received directly from Chevron as originally reported.
• JACL’s Long Range Planning, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Bill Marutani follows up on JACL’s long-range planning committee, chaired by Lillian Kimura, summarizing goals such as growing membership to 50,000 and establishing a stronger Washington presence. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing long-range planning for JACL’s sustenance and urges the current administration to continue the work.

In-Depth

• JACL Story: Another Review, by Raymond Okamura, page 4. Raymond Okamura critically reviews Bill Hosokawa’s book “JACL in Quest of Justice,” arguing it repeats earlier works and fails to account for recent research showing JACL’s active opposition to wartime test cases and collaboration with camp administration. Okamura concludes Hosokawa presented a one-sided account rather than an honest reckoning of JACL’s wartime conduct.
• Niihau: Bizarre Episode of WWII, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. A review of Allan Beekman’s book “The Niihau Incident” recounts the bizarre 1941 episode in which a downed Japanese pilot, aided by Hawaiian Nisei Yoshio Harada, attempted to seize control of Niihau island, ending in violent deaths including Harada’s suicide. The piece also recounts Nisei Jack Mizuha’s volunteer rescue effort and his later distinguished service and career.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.