442nd veteran honored for Dachau, plus Minidoka and the Fountaingrove ranch

Vol. 101, No. 21, November 22, 1985. 12 pages. View this issue

The front page carried a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran, Clarence Matsumura of San Gabriel, honored at a Simon Wiesenthal Center dinner for his part in liberating the Dachau concentration camp. It also reported on Democratic leaders, including Sen. Daniel Inouye and Sen. Alan Cranston, who met the ethnic press about registering newly naturalized Asian American citizens, and on the Ijichi family’s return to the Fountaingrove Ranch in Santa Rosa. Tama Tokuda wrote of her pilgrimage to Minidoka, and J.K. Yamamoto reported on location scouting at the Rohwer and Jerome camp sites for the ‘U.S. on Trial’ miniseries about the World War II incarceration (often called internment).

Election results appear on page 3, including Judy Chu’s win on the Garvey School Board. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani, Bob Shimabukuro and Kiyo Sato fill pages 4, 5 and 7. Page 6 covers a dinner honoring George Kondo and Harry Honda, and page 8 reports Asian Rehabilitation Services joining the Little Tokyo Service Center.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• 442nd Vet Honored for Role at Dachau, by Takeshi Nakayama, Rafu Shimpo, page 1. Clarence Matsumura of San Gabriel, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran, was honored at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s gala tribute dinner for his role in liberating the Dachau concentration camp in 1945. Matsumura recounted the harrowing conditions of rescued prisoners and emphasized the importance of telling the story of both the 442nd and the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific.
• Matsui: Asians Increasingly Affluent, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Robert Matsui spoke at Carleton College’s Asia Week, noting that Asian Americans face both increasing racism and violence alongside growing affluence and prominence. He highlighted that over 33% of Asian and Pacific Islanders have college degrees compared to 17% of white Americans.

National

• Demos Seek Asian Immigrant Vote, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. Democratic leaders including Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Alan Cranston, and LA city officials spoke to the ethnic press about plans to register newly naturalized Asian American citizens as Democrats, responding to Republican recruitment efforts. They argued Democrats have historically supported immigration and minority business interests more than Republicans.
• Toshiba Accused of Discrimination, by Naomi Hirahara, Rafu Shimpo, page 2. Former Toshiba America employee James Alfred Ristow filed a lawsuit alleging the company discriminates against Americans in favor of Japanese nationals in employment practices. Toshiba’s attorney denied the claims, saying Ristow’s contract simply was not renewed after three years as agreed.
• White Males Dominate Hawaii Media, by Robert Hollis, Honolulu Advertiser, page 3. A survey of 26 Hawaii news organizations found that while minorities make up nearly 40% of news staffs, white males still dominate newsrooms and women remain underrepresented. The study was conducted by the University of Hawaii Journalism Department and student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

In-Depth

• ‘Grape King’ Heirs Return to Ranch, by Patty Wada, Hokubei Mainichi, page 1. Kosuke and Amy Ijichi returned to Fountaingrove Ranch in Santa Rosa, the former estate of their granduncle Kanaye Nagasawa, for the dedication of a bronze bust honoring him. The family had been forced off the land in 1937 due to anti-alien land laws after Nagasawa’s death, despite his pioneering role in building one of America’s top wineries.
• Nagasawa: The Fountaingrove Barn Today, by P.C. Staff, page 7. At the Fountaingrove celebration, Kosuke Ijichi cautioned attendees about the dangers of discriminatory laws, recalling how anti-alien land laws stripped his family of their inheritance after Kanaye Nagasawa’s death. Bruce Pierson of Greenwich Development Corp. welcomed visitors and praised Nagasawa’s legacy as the plans for new condominium development on the site move forward.
• Remembrances, by Barry Saiki, page 9. Columnist Barry Saiki recalls poignant episodes from his time in occupied Japan after WW2, including an encounter with war orphans in Ueno Park who begged for food and showed gratitude for small kindnesses. He reflects on the devastation of postwar Tokyo and wonders about the fate of the orphans he met decades later.

Community

• Long Beach Councilwoman Feted, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Long Beach city councilwoman Eunice Sato was honored for 25 years of community service at a reception attended by local officials. Sato, a former educator, has served on the city council since 1975 and as mayor from 1980-82.
• Chu Victorious in School Board Race, by Brenda Paik Sunoo, page 3. Dr. Judy Chu won the Garvey School Board election, becoming the first Asian American to serve on the board covering Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel and South San Gabriel. Chu emphasized quality education, child safety, and advocacy for residents facing displacement from development projects.
• JA Candidates Win in 5 School Districts, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several Japanese American candidates won school board elections across California, including Ann Ito in San Mateo and four Nikkei candidates in Santa Clara County districts. David Takemoto was unsuccessful in his bid for the Mount Diablo School District board in Contra Costa County.
• Fujiwara Defeated in Mayoral Bid, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fremont councilman Yoshio Fujiwara lost the mayoral election to fellow councilman Gus Morrison, attributing his loss to running an independent campaign rather than aligning with political factions. Fujiwara’s council term expired Nov. 19 after serving two terms as he had committed.
• Nominations Sought for Media Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Association for Asian Pacific American Artists set a Dec. 20 deadline for submissions to its 1986 AAPAA Media Awards, recognizing industry contributions to accurate portrayal of Asian Pacific Americans. Up to 10 awards will be presented at a dinner in March 1986 at the Beverly Wilshire.
• Stockton Reunion Slated for 1986, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A grand reunion for prewar and postwar residents of Stockton, French Camp, Linden, Tracy and the Deltas is planned for August 29-31, 1986. The event is being coordinated by several JACL chapters and local organizations including churches and the Buddhist temple.
• Rehabilitation Service Joins LTSC, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Asian Rehabilitation Services, which has provided vocational rehabilitation to disabled adults since 1972, has joined Little Tokyo Service Center along with four new board directors. LTSC executive director Bill Watanabe praised the merger, noting the organizations have worked closely together for some time.
• Kinnara to Perform in Quake Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Kinnara Taiko, a Sansei drum group, will perform in the International Folk Dance Festival benefiting victims of the recent Mexican earthquake. The event takes place Nov. 24 at East L.A. City College’s Ingals Auditorium.
• Mori Receives Human Rights Award, by Hokubei Mainichi, page 9. Sandy Ouye Mori, director of Kimochi Home, was honored at San Francisco’s first annual Human Rights Awards breakfast for her contributions to the community. Mori has served in numerous community leadership roles including the Advisory Council to the SF Commission on the Aging and various nonprofit boards.

Commentary

• Terebi, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Columnist Bill Marutani reflects on Japanese television as a tool for learning the language and culture, praising educational programs and children’s shows. He also notes his puzzlement over the pervasive use of Caucasian models in Japanese beauty product advertising.
• The Americanization of Bob, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. Columnist Bob Shimabukuro recounts humorous and embarrassing experiences adjusting from Hawaiian pidgin English to mainland English culture after moving to Portland for college in 1963. He shares anecdotes about misunderstood words and cultural differences that left him feeling like a stranger in his own country.
• Thanks from GFB, by K. Patrick Okura, page 4. A letter writer praises an earlier article on Go For Broke, Inc. and highlights the organization’s evolution into the National Japanese American Historical Society, which provides educational resources on Japanese American contributions to U.S. history. The author encourages readers to support the organization financially and morally.
• For the Record, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A correction notes that the JACL’s committed redress program amount was misreported and should have read $8 million or over half million dollars. Additionally, the number of votes needed to pass legislation in the House was corrected to 218 instead of 217.
• On Becoming a Bridge, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa questions the idealistic notion that Japanese Americans naturally serve as a trans-Pacific bridge of understanding between the U.S. and Japan. He argues that ethnicity alone doesn’t guarantee expertise, citing examples of Fulbright scholar applicants with deep Japan knowledge who are not of Japanese descent.
• The Price of Progress, by Kiyo Sato, page 7. Responding to an earlier article, the author reflects on losing her family farm to development pressures, recalling her father’s lifelong devotion to farming until his death at 87. She laments the destruction of family farms and the human satisfactions they fostered, contrasting it with a future she fears will be defined by affluence and emptiness.

Incarceration & Redress

• Memories of Minidoka, by Tama Tokuda, page 5. The author recounts her pilgrimage to the Minidoka Relocation Camp site for a JACL ceremony dedicating a historic landmark plaque, reflecting on her wartime incarceration and the loss of her husband George, whom she met at the camp. She describes vivid memories of dust storms, hurried departures, and the emotional weight of returning to the desolate site four decades later.
• ‘Trial’ on a Trek, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 5. Co-producer Kerry Nakagawa discusses progress on the ambitious ‘U.S. on Trial’ miniseries chronicling the WW2 internment of Japanese Americans, including location scouting in Arkansas at the Rohwer and Jerome camp sites. The production team has received cooperation from various state officials and is seeking personal stories from those who experienced the camps firsthand.

JACL

• Kondo Roasted, Honda Toasted, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Close to 250 JACLers attended a dinner honoring George Kondo, NCWNP regional director, and Harry Honda, longtime Pacific Citizen staffer, featuring humorous tributes and roasts from colleagues. Honda warned that PC subscription rates would likely rise due to increased postage costs, while Rick Momii was announced as the new advertising manager.
• NCWNPC, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific District Council held its quarterly meeting, electing five new board members and discussing a bylaws amendment for chapters facing geographical difficulties in participating in district affairs. The district also decided to discontinue the ‘Chapter of the Year’ and ‘Scrapbook’ awards for at least three years due to lack of interest and funding.

Obituaries

• Vernon Ichisaka, 1910-1985, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Longtime community leader Vernon Ichisaka died Oct. 9 after over 40 years of service to Bridgeton and Seabrook community affairs, including founding a Boy Scout troop and serving as Pacific Citizen’s first business manager from 1939-41. He received numerous JACL awards and is survived by his wife, son, foster son, and siblings.
• Sparkman of Tolan Committee Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former Sen. John J. Sparkman, who served on the Tolan Committee investigating the WW2 evacuation of Japanese Americans, died Nov. 16 at age 85. The committee’s West Coast hearings in 1942 did not ultimately challenge the basis for the evacuation despite testimony gathered.

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