Reagan in Tokyo, the Vincent Chin case, and redress debates in 1983

Vol. 97, No. 23, December 2, 1983. 12 pages. View this issue

President Ronald Reagan’s address to the Japanese Diet led the front page, and he singled out Issei Kanaye Nagasawa, known as California’s “grape king,” as an example of ties between the two countries. The front page also reported that Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in the death of Vincent Chin, and that Minoru Yasui received the Oregon ACLU’s E.B. MacNaughton Award. A photo exhibit of Nisei GIs, including the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT, was shown on Capitol Hill.

Redress ran through much of the issue. Bill Marutani’s column answered Nikkei who oppose monetary redress, and Chizu Iiyama reported on the Alameda County payments to seven employees who lost jobs during the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Central California District Council convention panels, with Judge William Marutani and Ron Wakabayashi, ran on pages 7, 10 and 12. Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about old friends from Singapore, and Little Tokyo groups were offered redevelopment grants.

What’s in this issue

National

• Reagan Cites Issei ‘Grape King’ in Speech to Japanese Diet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Reagan became the first U.S. president to address the Japanese Diet, praising Japan’s economic success and urging greater trade and defense cooperation while criticizing Soviet negotiating tactics. In his speech, Reagan highlighted the story of Issei Kanaye Nagasawa, who became known as California’s ‘grape king’ after founding a winery in Santa Rosa.
• Vincent Chin Case Proceeds on 2 Fronts, page 1. Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in the 1982 beating death of Vincent Chin, with the arraignment moved up for security reasons after death threats were reported. Separately, the American Citizens for Justice filed a request with Michigan’s Court of Appeals seeking to vacate the lenient probation sentences originally given to the defendants.
• WNET Shies From ‘Silk Screen’ Series, page 1. New York’s PBS affiliate WNET delayed airing ‘Silk Screen,’ a six-week series on Asian Americans, citing concerns about the graphic content of early episodes and its minority focus limiting scheduling options. Station programming head Chris Fenimore said the series would eventually air but timing remained undetermined.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei GI Photo Exhibit Shown on Capitol Hill, page 1. An exhibit featuring Nisei GIs, including the Yankee Samurai portrayal of MIS members, was shown on Capitol Hill, with Chester Tanaka presenting a copy of his book ‘Go For Broke’ to Rep. Robert Matsui. The 100th Battalion/442nd RCT’s decorated service record, including numerous Silver and Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, was highlighted alongside the contributions of MIS translators to shortening the war.

Incarceration & Redress

• Yasui Honored by Oregon ACLU, page 1. National JACL Redress Chair Minoru Yasui received the Oregon ACLU’s E.B. MacNaughton Award for his wartime curfew violation protest and ongoing civil liberties work. The ceremony and related publicity helped educate the Portland community about the World War II internment experience, according to local JACL redress chair Walter Sakai.
• ‘Do Not Prostitute Democracy’, page 4. A resolution from the Filipino American Delta Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War urges the federal government to abandon redress legislation for Japanese American internees, arguing that internment was a protective sanctuary rather than an injustice. The resolution contends that Japanese Americans should feel gratitude rather than seek compensation from the government.
• NCRR Wins Over Alameda County Board of Supervisors, by Chizu Iiyama, page 5. The National Coalition for Redress/Reparations celebrated a victory after the Alameda County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $5,000 each to seven county employees who lost jobs due to wartime internment, overcoming initial resistance and misconceptions among supervisors. NCRR members credited persistent grassroots organizing, coalition-building with labor and civil rights groups, and effective education campaigns for turning a 2-vote deficit into a unanimous decision.
• Redress Panel Enlivens Saturday Night, page 7. At the Central California District Council convention in Fresno, a panel discussion on redress featured speakers including Tom Shimasaki, who drew parallels between Custer’s Last Stand and internment, and Jeanette Ishii, who emphasized the importance of Japanese American political visibility. The panel also addressed rising violence against Asians and the discriminatory wartime laws faced by Issei and Nisei.
• …And Sunday Afternoon, by Fred Hirasuna, page 7. A CCDC convention panel discussion centered on controversial KJEO-TV interviews featuring conflicting statements from Minoru Yasui and a Mr. Kawasaki about whether Japanese Americans had a true ‘choice’ regarding internment. Panelists including Judge William Marutani and National Director Ron Wakabayashi refuted claims minimizing the hardships of camp life and argued reparations must accompany any government apology.
• NCWNP Redress Meetings… Pushing for 1985, by Mike Hamachi, page 8. At an Oct. 30 redress meeting, National JACL Redress Committee chair Minoru Yasui and National Redress Director John Tateishi discussed fund-raising efforts and legislative strategy for the Wright Bill, noting final passage likely wouldn’t occur until 1985. Don Tamaki briefed attendees on the coram nobis cases, including the Korematsu hearing that drew over 200 Nikkei to the courtroom.
• Sunday Panel Continued: Marutani Rebuts Apologists, page 10. Continuing coverage of the CCDC panel discussion describes Judge Marutani’s statement that commentators like Rachel Kamel and Lillian Baker who minimize internment suffering have no basis in fact, citing recently released documents. Ron Wakabayashi added that reparations should be offered as a matter of justice rather than something Japanese Americans must request.
• Speech Details Commission Findings on Internment, page 12. Continuing coverage of Judge Marutani’s address details testimonies from roughly 750 witnesses before the Commission on Wartime Relocation, and the Commission’s conclusion that racism was the predominant cause of internment. Marutani argued that redress compensation represents a symbolic ‘debt of honor’ that should not require Japanese Americans to feel apologetic for accepting it.

Community

• Member of Blue-Ribbon Commission to Speak on U.S.-Japan Relations, page 2. Yotaro Kobayashi, a member of the new joint U.S.-Japan Advisory Commission, will give a luncheon address in San Francisco on U.S.-Japan relations. Kobayashi has led Fuji Xerox since 1978 and implemented Total Quality Control practices that won a prestigious Japanese award.
• Two Added to JACCC Board of Directors, page 2. Noritoshi Kanai and Edward M. Nakata joined the 33-member Japanese American Cultural and Community Center board, replacing Victor Carter and Shunji Shinoda who moved to the honorary board. Frank Kuwahara was re-elected president for the 1983-84 term.
• Postal Veteran to Head Honolulu Unit, page 2. Michio Mike Nakamura, a 36-year postal veteran, became the new postmaster of Honolulu on Oct. 20 after serving as district manager for mail processing in the Pacific area. A Maui native and World War II MIS interpreter, he attended the University of Hawaii and UCLA’s executive program.
• Little Tokyo Groups to Receive Grants, page 3. The Community Redevelopment Agency is offering grants to small businesses and non-profit organizations in Little Tokyo to help with mortgage loans, relocation hardships, and tenant improvement costs. Funding comes from tax increment generated by private development in the redevelopment area, with applications available through LTCDAC.
• Chinese Organization Re-elects President, page 3. Robert Wu was reelected national president of the Organization of Chinese Americans at a board meeting, with several other officers elected for 1984. The group also celebrated the founding of its 30th chapter in El Paso, Texas.
• Santa Due Dec. 3 at Village Plaza, page 3. A grand procession will escort Shogun Santa down First Street to the Japanese Village Plaza on Dec. 3, with Santa riding atop a mikoshi carried by young men from local youth groups. Festivities include traditional kagami mochi decorations and an opportunity for visitors to write New Year’s wishes on paper strips.
• Sugahara Group Reconvenes in LA, page 3. The U.S.-Asia Institute and L.A. County Economic Development Corp. co-sponsored a weekend conference on the information revolution’s impact on Asian nations, featuring Thai Ambassador Kasem S. Kasemsri as the main speaker. About 100 representatives participated in the event led by institute founder Kay Sugahara.
• Merger of Largest Nikkei CPA Firm with DH&S Expands Market, page 3. Sho Iino Accountants, the largest and oldest Japanese American accounting firm, agreed to combine its practice with Deloitte Haskins & Sells effective Nov. 13. The 54-member Iino firm, founded in 1947, serves more than 130 U.S. subsidiaries of Japanese companies.
• JACL Boutiques Open for Holidays, page 6. West Valley JACL’s Christmas Boutique operates weekdays at its San Jose clubhouse, selling handicrafts including aprons, dish towels, and pot holders. A wine and cheese event will also be held at a community center boutique in San Jose that remains open through Christmas.
• Agribusiness Person of Year Awarded, page 8. Natomas farmer Paul K. Shimada was named 1983 Agribusiness Person of the Year for his contributions to Sacramento County agriculture and community service through Lions International and Boy Scouts. Starting with just a car in 1947, Shimada built his tomato farming operation to nearly 1,000 acres over the following decades.
• Wins Optimist Creed Plaque, Wrist Watch, page 8. Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Yuko Ikeda was honored by the Golden Gate Optimist Club as Fall Youth of the Quarter, receiving a wrist watch and Optimist Creed plaque. The Lowell High School student with a 3.9 GPA studies Japanese classical dance and is a member of the Junior Youth Buddhist Association.
• Club for Usagi-No-Toshi: 1903, page 10. The Kibokai, a social club for people born in 1903 (the Year of the Rabbit), was hosted by U.S. Ambassador Mike Mansfield and his wife at the American embassy residence for the second time since the group’s founder reached out in 1980. Members expressed admiration for Mansfield’s energy despite being the same age as most of them.

Obituaries

• Hiroshi Nakayama, Community Leader, Dies at 66, page 2. Hiroshi Nakayama of Kent, Washington, died Nov. 11 after a long illness, having twice served as president of White River Valley JACL. He and his wife Sachiko were named outstanding state citizens for 15 years of work on Japanese-American cultural exchange programs.
• Richard Loo, Hollywood Actor, Dies at 80, page 2. Richard Loo, a Hollywood actor known for playing villainous roles during World War II films, died Nov. 19 in a Burbank hospital. He had starred in ‘China’s Little Devils’ and other films depicting Japanese characters, including one that portrayed Nisei as spies and disloyal.

Commentary

• Nikkei Opposition to Redress, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Columnist Bill Marutani addresses Nikkei who oppose monetary redress as degrading, arguing that under American cultural norms a mere apology without compensation would be considered worthless. He contends that redress payments are necessary to give meaning to a government apology and to vindicate the honor of Issei and Nisei who suffered injustice.
• What to Tell Our Children, by Bill Yoshimoto, page 4. A Tulare County JACL member reflects on experiencing racism as a deputy district attorney and wonders how to prepare his children for similar prejudice they may face at school. He calls on JACL to support families in sharing Japanese American heritage, culture, and history with their children.
• Catching Up with Friends from Singapore, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recounts a reunion dinner in Tokyo with old friends from his pre-war years in Singapore, including Jiro Kimura and Kashimura-san, who were imprisoned by the British in India during the war. He reflects on the fates of local-born Nisei in Malaya and Singapore, some of whom struggled to adapt to postwar Japan despite having grown up speaking English and Malay.
• October’s Harvests, by Barry Saiki, page 12. Columnist Barry Saiki describes a busy month of October in Tokyo filled with visits from Nisei friends and JACL figures including Floyd Shimomura, Ron Wakabayashi, and Bill Hosokawa. He reflects on the pleasure of hosting visitors despite their often brief stays and notes both Nisei and Sansei are increasingly visiting Japan.

JACL

• Kajihara Assumes PSWDC Helm, by Harry Honda, page 6. Japanese Consul General Yoshifumi Matsuda addressed 200 JACLers at the Pacific Southwest District Council convention in Las Vegas, praising JACL’s 50-year history and discussing U.S.-Japan trade imbalance and defense issues. Harry H. Kajihara was elected PSWDC governor along with a new slate of officers.
• Marutani Continues Calif. Speaking Tour, page 7. Judge William Marutani addressed about 300 JACL members and guests at the installation of Central California District Council officers, providing an overview of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians’ findings. Marutani was the only Nikkei member of the presidential commission, which released its final report the previous June.

Arts & Entertainment

• Nikkei Artist Wins Phelan Video Award, page 8. Bruce Yonemoto, 34, was named one of four recipients of the James D. Phelan award for his video work, and is a contributing writer to Artweek Magazine. He is associated with Kyodi Productions.

In-Depth

• U.S. Knew A-Bomb Would Kill Yanks, U.S. Producer Says, by Takeshi Hikino, page 9. Documentary producer Gary DeWalt revealed that the U.S. government knew American prisoners of war were present in Hiroshima before dropping the atomic bomb, based on research into military records and interviews with bereaved families. DeWalt’s film, to be completed in early 1984, explores the experiences of American POWs and Japanese survivors of the bombing.

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.