Smithsonian exhibit opens on Japanese Americans and the Constitution

Vol. 105, No. 12, October 16, 1987. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page carried the opening of “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the Constitution,” a Smithsonian exhibit at the National Museum of American History on the wartime incarceration (often called internment). Harry Honda reported on the exhibit, which includes the original Executive Order 9066 and runs through 1992. Honda also described the Nisei veteran events in Washington, D.C., and Ron Wakabayashi reflected on the gathering of 3,000 Nisei at the Capitol. George Johnston reported that the Supreme Court denied the latest bid in the late Minoru Yasui’s coram nobis case.

The editorial page urged readers to keep contacting senators about redress and H.R. 442, and the letters page carried reader views on redress. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Nisei speech. Elsewhere, Ron Wakabayashi covered a California report on Asian American admissions at UC Berkeley, Laurie Mochidome described an earthquake that damaged Little Tokyo, including the Pacific Citizen’s own building, and a Pacific Southwest District redress letter campaign reported $35,000 raised.

What’s in this issue

In-Depth

• Smithsonian Exhibit Chronicles Japanese American Story for Constitution Bicentennial, by Harry Honda, page 1. The National Museum of American History opened ‘A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the Constitution,’ a Smithsonian exhibit exploring the wartime incarceration and its constitutional implications, running through 1992. The exhibit includes the original Executive Order 9066, replicas of camp barracks and a grocery store, and testimony from internees and soldiers, with a catalogue planned for 1988.

Incarceration & Redress

• Supreme Court Denies Latest Bid in Yasui Case, by George Johnston, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court denied the writ of certiorari filed on behalf of the late Minoru Yasui’s coram nobis case on Oct. 5. Attorney Peggy Nagae Lum said the legal team would file a brief asking the Court to reconsider, citing the favorable Hirabayashi decision, with a final decision pending by the end of October.

Commentary

• California Releases UCB Report, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 1. A California auditor general’s report found that in 37 of 49 admission categories at UC Berkeley, Asian American admission rates were below those of white students despite higher academic index scores. JACL National Director Ron Wakabayashi argues the disparity raises broader concerns about fair admissions practices throughout the UC system and private universities.
• After H.R. 442: Action Alert, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial urges JACL supporters to continue contacting senators to support S. 1009 and to pressure President Reagan to sign H.R. 442 into law rather than veto it over cost concerns. The piece excerpts favorable editorials from newspapers nationwide supporting redress payments to Japanese Americans.
• Japanese ‘Markins’ and the Nisei Dialect, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa muses on the subtle speech patterns that distinguish Nisei speakers, prompted by a Tri-District JACL convention in Denver. He recounts a humorous presentation on ‘Texasese’ by Betty Waki and Mas Yamasaki of Houston, concluding that Japanese Americans are proud ‘Markins.’
• ‘Nisei Woodstock’ Heals, Binds Generations, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 4. Wakabayashi reflects on the gathering of 3,000 Nisei at the Capitol and the emotional experience of Sansei JACL Washington Leadership Program participants viewing their grandparents’ WRA files and the Smithsonian exhibit. He describes the historic vote on H.R. 442 and the significance of the moment for the Japanese American community’s healing.
• Are AJA Students Too Self-Satisfied?, page 5. Prompted by a Time magazine article on Asian American academic success, the columnist notes the absence of Japanese Americans from the list of high achievers compared to other Asian groups. He speculates that AJAs may have become complacent and suggests that academic parity does not guarantee acceptance, as Asians are sometimes told ‘there are too many of you.’
• Nisei Soldiers’ Wartime Sacrifice Overlooked, Says Reader, by James Oda, page 5. A letter writer responds to Rep. Norman Shumway, detailing the hardships Japanese American intelligence soldiers endured in the Pacific during WWII despite mistreatment by fellow American troops. He argues that the $1.2 billion redress sum is a small price compared to the lives and time saved due to Nisei soldiers’ contributions in shortening the war.
• What About Us? Voluntary Evacuees Seek Recognition, by Yoshito Tsuchimoto, page 5. A letter writer from Denver argues that Japanese Americans who voluntarily relocated from California to avoid camps also suffered great losses and deserve recognition and compensation. He describes violence, discrimination, and economic hardship faced by his family after leaving California for Colorado.
• Compensation Should Include Nisei Servicemen, Reader Says, by William Kashiwagi, page 5. A letter to the editor argues that H.R. 442’s redress provisions failed to address Nisei who were already inductees or enlistees before mass evacuation and who suffered similar anguish and losses. He calls for these groups to be included in any future monetary compensation.
• Lowry Lauded for Early Redress Efforts, by Chuck Kato, page 5. A letter writer credits Congressman Mike Lowry of Washington State for introducing the first redress bill in 1978, laying groundwork for the eventual passage of H.R. 442. He urges that Lowry’s early efforts not be forgotten when credit is given for the legislation’s passage.
• Wrong Angle? Reader Questions Kim Dinner Coverage, by Raymond Okamura, page 5. A letter writer challenges a previous P.C. article’s characterization of a fundraising dinner for Col. Young Oak Kim as significant to Japanese-Korean relations, arguing all attendees were Americans. The original reporter, Laurie Mochidome, responds admitting a terminology error but defending the story’s angle based on speeches given at the event.

Community

• Fund-raiser to Salute Aratani, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Nov. 4 dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel will honor 70-year-old businessman George Aratani, founder of Mikasa and Kenwood, for his business achievements and community service. The event, hosted by Keiro Services, benefits the Japanese Retirement Home Development Fund and will feature tributes, entertainment and a toast led by Fred Wada.
• Project Seeks Demographic Data on Bay Area Asian Pacific Islanders, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A steering committee headed by the Asian Foundation for Community Development is seeking contributions of data and volunteers to track demographic growth of Asian Pacific Islanders in the San Francisco Bay Area. The project aims to compile existing studies, fill in data gaps, and ensure accuracy in the 1990 Census, which has been criticized for lumping all Asians into one category.
• Pen Pals Wanted, by Lynne Kataoka, page 5. Lynne Kataoka, a Sansei from Sacramento of Kochi-ken ancestry, writes seeking correspondence with other Sansei of similar background. She invites interested readers to write to her directly.
• Earthquake Shakes Up P.C. Staff, by Laurie Mochidome, page 7. The Oct. 1 earthquake that struck Southern California, killing five and injuring 40, damaged structures in Little Tokyo including the Pacific Citizen’s own building at 941 E. 3rd Street. Building inspectors declared an exit unsafe, advising staff that they work at their own risk pending further quake activity.

Military & Veterans

• Masaoka Is Low Key for a Change at Nisei Event, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. Mike Masaoka played a behind-the-scenes role at the Smithsonian exhibit opening and related Nisei veteran events in Washington, D.C., speaking briefly at a banquet about redress legislation and a proposed memorial at Arlington. Lt. Gen. Allen K. Ono, Hershey Miyamura, and other veterans were honored at the event, which also included wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Obituaries

• Masashi Kawaguchi, Fishking Processors Chairman, Dies at 69, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Masashi Kawaguchi, chairperson of Fishking Processors, died Sept. 19 of esophageal cancer in Los Angeles after building a successful fish processing business and establishing a charitable foundation with his wife Mitsuko. He had recently co-chaired the Japanese American National Museum’s fundraising dinner before his death.
• Akiji Yoshimura, WWII Intelligence Officer and JACL Leader, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Akiji Yoshimura, 69, a longtime Marysville JACL officer who served as a combat intelligence officer with Merrill’s Marauders in WWII, died Sept. 18 while traveling in Virginia. After the war he ran his family’s dry cleaning business and is survived by his wife and daughter.

JACL

• Washington, D.C. JACL Expertise Asked, Granted, by Harry Honda, page 8. Planning for the presence of nearly 5,000 Japanese Americans in Washington for the Smithsonian exhibit opening involved Nisei travel agents, the Washington JACL office, and coordination by National JACL after being asked by the National Japanese American Historical Society just three weeks before the event. Pat Okura coordinated the Capitol Steps program, ensuring recognition of Nisei veterans groups in addition to NJAHS.
• PSW-LEC Letter Solicitation Fund Drive Hits $35,000, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Southwest District’s LEC letter solicitation campaign for redress has raised $35,000 as of September, with donations coming from both JACL members and non-members who learned about the effort through Japanese American newspapers. Campaign chair George Ogawa announced a new phase targeting non-JACLers to help reach the $250,000 goal.

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