The 1987 year in review: redress, remembrance and the Bork decision

Vol. 106, No. 1, January 1, 1988. 24 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen began 1988 with a look back at 1987 and a look at a book. The front page carried Masayo Duus, who signed copies of her book on the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Los Angeles to benefit the Japanese American National Museum. Inside, a set of year-end chronologies followed the Civil Liberties Act of 1987 through Congress, the year’s remembrances of the World War II incarceration (often called internment), and civil rights issues. JACL leaders Harry H. Kajihara, Alan Nishi and Cherry Kinoshita wrote on goals, finances and the Bork decision. Homer Yasui reported on the end of the Yasui coram nobis case, and the paper reported the death of Judge John Fujio Aiso.

Also in this issue: James S. Oda’s study of the wartime Magic code, reviews of Mike Masaoka’s autobiography, Bill Hosokawa on Nisei in postwar Japan, and a feature on Saburo Okinaga in Hawaii. The letters page carried several readers’ views on JACL’s role.

What’s in this issue

Arts & Entertainment

• Unlikely Journalist Writes Book About Unlikely Liberators, by George Johnston, page 1. Japanese journalist Masayo Duus, author of Unlikely Liberators about the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, signed copies of her book in Los Angeles to benefit the Japanese American National Museum. Duus discusses her motivation for studying Japanese Americans and her research process interviewing veterans like Young Oak Kim and Col. Singles.
• The Pacific Citizen Bookshelf: A Story That Many Anticipate, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. This review covers Mike Masaoka’s autobiography ‘They Call Me Moses Masaoka,’ written with Bill Hosokawa, chronicling his decades of JACL leadership and advocacy. The reviewer notes the book reveals personal details about Masaoka’s pioneering years while acknowledging it doesn’t cover everything his admirers might want to know.
• In the End, a Hero, by David MacEachron, page 7. This New York Times Book Review piece examines Mike Masaoka’s autobiography, detailing his role in JACL’s wartime cooperation with internment and his subsequent lobbying for Japanese American rights including the Walter-McCarran Act. The review notes the book’s later chapters are less compelling than its powerful account of wartime and immediate postwar struggles.
• Nikkei Photo Exhibit Scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Oakland Museum will exhibit ‘Japanese Photography in America, 1920-1940,’ featuring rare photographs by 26 West Coast Japanese American photographers whose careers were interrupted by WW2 internment. The exhibit includes work by Toyo Miyatake, who secretly continued photography at Manzanar using a smuggled camera lens.

National

• Lungren Nomination Opposed, by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. Gov. Deukmejian’s nomination of Rep. Daniel Lungren for state treasurer sparked outrage among Asian American groups due to his past opposition to redress legislation. A coalition called Californians for Responsible Government, including JACL chapters, formed to oppose his confirmation.
• New York Asian Women’s Center Provides Shelter for Battered Women, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The New York Asian Women’s Center (NYAWC) operates a Safe Homes program providing shelter and support services for battered Asian women and their children, the first such program in the country. Founded in 1982, NYAWC has helped over 200 women through counseling, advocacy, and a bilingual hotline, while working to address cultural barriers that prevent Asian women from accessing mainstream services.
• 1987 Chronology: Redress Legislation, by P.C. Staff, page 14. This comprehensive timeline documents the year-long legislative journey of the Civil Liberties Act of 1987 through Congress, from its January introduction through the House passage in September with 243-141 vote. The chronology tracks co-sponsor counts, committee hearings, and amendments proposed by opponents like Rep. Lungren.
• 1987 Chronology: Civil Rights Issues, by P.C. Staff, page 16. This chronology covers major civil rights developments including the Vincent Chin case retrial and settlement, INS detention of Arab immigrants, and the JACL National Board’s deferral on opposing Bork’s nomination. It also tracks Asian American admissions controversies at University of California campuses and various litigation updates on Hirabayashi and Yasui coram nobis cases.
• 1987 Chronology: Slurs and Stereotypes, Anti-Asian Violence, by P.C. Staff, page 16. This chronology documents incidents of anti-Asian discrimination including a radio DJ’s offensive Chinese jokes segment, racial slurs directed at Senator Inouye during Iran-Contra hearings, and multiple violent attacks on Asian Americans. It also notes political milestones for Asian Americans including various local election victories.

Obituaries

• Famed Nisei Judge Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. John Fujio Aiso, a retired judge and WW2 academic director at the Military Intelligence Service Language School, died Dec. 29, 1987, from head injuries sustained in a robbery attempt. Aiso’s remarkable career included being the first Nisei judge in the mainland US and reaching the 2nd District Court of Appeals.
• Aiso’s Life of Achievement Detailed; Rewards Offered for Attacker, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This continuation details John Aiso’s extensive accomplishments from his school days through his legal and judicial career, including his Harvard Law degree and military service. A $25,000 ARCO reward and additional city council reward were offered for information on his attacker, with officials praising his legacy.
• 1986-87 Necrology, by P.C. Staff, page 17. This comprehensive obituary listing memorializes numerous notable Japanese Americans who died in 1986-87, including Judge John Aiso, JACL founder Susumu Togasaki, and various community leaders, veterans, and professionals. Each entry details the deceased’s contributions to their communities, professions, or JACL activities.

Incarceration & Redress

• Yasui Coram Nobis: Case Closed, by Homer Yasui, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Minoru Yasui’s petition for rehearing of a writ of certiorari on Nov. 30, 1987, ending his long legal quest to challenge his WW2 curfew conviction. Despite his 1986 death, Yasui’s legal team had continued pursuing the case seeking governmental misconduct findings.
• 1987 Chronology: Remembrances of JA WW2 Experience, by P.C. Staff, page 15. This chronology catalogs the year’s numerous Day of Remembrance events, camp reunions, exhibits, and publications related to WW2 Japanese American internment history. Highlights include the Smithsonian’s ‘A More Perfect Union’ exhibit opening and various pilgrimages to former camp sites like Manzanar and Amache.
• 1987 Chronology: Remembrances Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 17. This continuation of the remembrances chronology covers fall 1987 events including veteran memorial services, camp reunions, and the Smithsonian exhibit opening with over 5,000 Japanese Americans attending Arthur Goldberg’s keynote address. It also documents the MIS Language School’s 46th anniversary celebration.

Commentary

• The Exploration of the Magic Code, by James S. Oda, page 2. This detailed historical analysis examines the U.S. military’s WW2 code-breaking efforts against Japan, discussing the bureaucratic rivalries between Army and Navy intelligence that hampered effective use of decoded information. The article highlights the underappreciated contributions of Nisei MIS linguists who were largely excluded from Navy intelligence work due to racism.
• President’s Report, by Harry H. Kajihara, page 4. National JACL President Kajihara reviews progress on the organization’s 1982 five-goal plan for the decade, covering membership growth, redress achievements, and funding challenges. He discusses the need for diversified funding, automated membership systems, and outlines the U.S.-Japan relations committee’s proposed initiatives.
• The Other Side of the Bork Decision, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 4. JACL V.P. of Public Affairs Cherry Kinoshita defends the National Board’s controversial decision not to oppose Judge Bork’s Supreme Court nomination, arguing it protected the imminent passage of redress legislation. She argues this was the harder, more principled choice compared to easily joining the civil rights mainstream, drawing parallels to JACL’s earlier support of the Walter-McCarran Act.
• Kaisha Advertising, page 5. The columnist praises a Nissan TV advertisement for portraying an Asian man as an ordinary person without stereotypical characteristics like karate moves or accents. The piece urges Japanese companies to use their advertising influence to promote positive, authentic portrayals of Asians rather than exotic stereotypes.
• The Year 2000: A Letter to My Son, page 5. Written as a letter to a young son, this piece reflects on the family’s immigration history, the WW2 internment experience of the author’s parents, and the growing Asian American population projected for the year 2000. The author contemplates changing racial identities and terminology from ‘Oriental’ to ‘Asian’ and discusses the challenges of being part of a new generation shaped by Pacific Rim economic ties.
• Postwar Japan Benefitted by Nisei Presence, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recounts a dinner gathering in Tokyo with old Nisei friends who settled in Japan due to American racism and immigration restrictions. He reflects on their significant contributions to Japan’s postwar recovery and U.S.-Japan relations, while lamenting the loss America suffered by driving these talented individuals abroad.
• Chin Article Belittles JACL Efforts, by Arthur Morimitsu, page 6. A letter responding to Frank Chin’s criticism of JACL’s WW2 leadership defends the organization’s decision to cooperate with internment, citing the hysterical anti-Japanese climate of the time. The writer credits JACL’s wartime strategy with later enabling naturalization rights for Issei and Hawaiian statehood, crediting these achievements with building congressional support for redress.
• Suyama Letter Relevant, by George Ogawa, page 6. This letter responds to an earlier letter questioning JACL’s relevance, agreeing that JACL should take principled stands on civil rights issues beyond redress, including the ‘Los Angeles 8’ deportation case and the Bork confirmation. The writer criticizes the National Board’s lack of a standing civil rights committee and infrequent meetings as impediments to timely action.
• Answers Needed, by Fred Y. Hirasuna, page 6. This letter calls for transparency regarding JACL staff salaries, benefits, and organizational chain of command amid budget concerns. The writer questions who sets compensation, oversees regional offices, and determines the relationship between national director, president, and board.
• Questioning the Questions, by Rick Momii, page 6. This brief letter responds to Fred Hirasuna’s questions about JACL salaries and chain of command, noting these same questions were raised six months earlier during a defeated personnel manual proposal. The writer questions why these issues are being raised again now.
• Some Thoughts About Chirashi Sushi, by Stanley Kanzaki, page 8. The author explores the history and regional variations of chirashi sushi among Japanese Americans, theorizing that rural immigrants brought a vegetable-based version while urban Japanese favored sashimi-topped versions. He proposes creating an ‘International Nikkei Chirashi Sushi Day’ to preserve this culinary tradition for future generations.
• The Other Side of the Bork Decision (continued), by Cherry Kinoshita, page 9. This continuation of Kinoshita’s column further defends JACL’s decision on the Bork nomination, arguing that redress itself embodies constitutional principles rather than mere monetary self-interest. She notes that major civil rights organizations like the ADL also declined to take positions on Bork, suggesting JACL’s choice shouldn’t be viewed as uniquely self-serving.

JACL

• Update on JACL Finances, by Alan Nishi, page 4. National Secretary-Treasurer Alan Nishi reports on JACL’s financial position, noting the organization’s operating deficit improved from $66,000 to under $10,000 by year-end 1987. He attributes this to debt repayment, successful direct mail membership solicitation, and budget reductions, while cautioning about declining membership and the impact of the stock market crash on JACL’s endowment fund.
• New Administrative Director, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Neal Taniguchi was named the new administrative director at JACL National Headquarters, succeeding David Nakayama. A UC Berkeley graduate with economics and public policy degrees, Taniguchi previously worked for San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors and was active in the Berkeley JACL chapter.

Military & Veterans

• Magic Code Investigation Continues, by James S. Oda, page 9. This continuation of the Magic Code article details the shooting down of Admiral Yamamoto’s plane and examines chronology of when various Japanese military codes were cracked. It also credits Australian coastwatchers and Cherokee/Navajo code talkers, while noting MIS’er Dave Itami’s success in deciphering the Kagoshima dialect code.
• Magic Code: Cherokee/Kagoshima Code Talkers, by James S. Oda, page 10. This section discusses how the U.S. Army used Cherokee Nation language as coded signal language, paralleling Navajo code talkers used in Europe. It also explains how Japanese Army used Kagoshima dialect as code, which was eventually solved by Nisei MIS instructor Dave Itami, whose parents were from the region.

In-Depth

• Saburo Okinaga: World War II and the Experiences of One Japanese American in Hawaii, page 10. This feature recounts the WW2 experiences of Saburo Okinaga, a Hawaii Japanese community leader who faced interrogation by Navy Intelligence, FBI, and Army Intelligence after Pearl Harbor. Okinaga successfully resisted government pressure to surrender the Manoa Japanese School property, later rebuilding it into the Manoa Community Association and receiving an imperial award from Japan in 1974.
• Whaling Issue Update, page 11. This article traces the history of JACL’s involvement in opposing Japanese commercial whaling since 1973, including organizing joint US-Japan conservation concerts in Tokyo in 1977. It details the legal battles over the US-Japan whaling agreement through the Supreme Court and Japan’s continued whaling under the guise of ‘scientific research’ despite international opposition.
• The Letters of Joseph Heco, page 11. This historical piece presents correspondence between 19th century Japanese American interpreter Joseph Heco and Secretary of State William Seward, including Heco’s account of meeting President Lincoln. The letters, found in the Library of Congress archives, detail political upheaval in Japan during the 1860s and Heco’s reactions to Lincoln’s assassination and Seward’s recovery from an attack.
• What Became of Fred Sato?, by Naomi Kashiwabara, page 13. This narrative recounts the story of a San Diego barber named Fred Sato who mysteriously closed his shop after apparently winning a large horse racing bet in the 1950s. The story, based on true events with fictionalized details, reveals the tragic twist that his assistant Pedro had not actually placed the winning bet as instructed.

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