Redress awaits the president’s signature; JACL candidates step forward

Vol. 106, No. 23, June 10, 1988. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress and the coming JACL election shared this issue. On the front page, Vice President George Bush endorsed redress legislation while campaigning in California, calling it “only fair.” Grayce Uyehara described the letters and mailgrams urging President Reagan to sign H.R. 442, including a promise from former President Gerald Ford. Pages 6 through 9 ran candidate statements for national office ahead of the National Convention in Seattle, with Mollie Fujioka, Helen Kawagoe and Cressey Nakagawa running for JACL president, and Harry Honda reported on the proposed 1989-90 budget.

Also inside: Fred Korematsu received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from CUNY law school, and the Manzanar Committee released a fifth edition of The Lost Years 1942-46. Readers will also find a review of Philip Kan Gotanda’s play Yankee Dawg You Die, a dinner honoring Japanese American Vietnam veterans in Los Angeles, and the Nisei Relays results.

What’s in this issue

National

• Nakajo Ousted From Festival Co-Chair Slot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Steve Nakajo, co-chairman of the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, was ousted in a no-confidence vote on May 26 following discussion over discontinuing the Cherry Blossom Queen event. Co-chairman Yukio Murakami has called a meeting to plan for next year’s festival.
• Korematsu Awarded Honorary Law Degree, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Korematsu, who defied WWII evacuation orders and took his case to the Supreme Court, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from CUNY law school. His conviction was overturned in 1984 after Sansei attorneys reopened the case with new evidence of prosecutorial misconduct.
• Matsui to Help Write Upcoming Democratic Platform, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Robert T. Matsui was chosen as one of sixteen members to draft the 1988 National Democratic Platform, as a Dukakis selection on the committee. The drafting committee will convene in Michigan before the platform is presented at the National Democratic Convention in Atlanta.
• Matsui Named to Platform Drafting Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This continuation piece details that Matsui was among the first members of Congress outside Massachusetts to endorse Dukakis and serves as a co-chair of the Dukakis campaign in California. Other drafting committee members include Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn and Chicago City Treasurer Cecil Partee.

Community

• ‘Lost Years’ For Sale, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Manzanar Committee has released a fifth edition of ‘The Lost Years 1942-46,’ edited by Sue Kunitomi Embrey, with updated bibliography and new printing. The 60-page monograph sells for $5 plus $1.25 shipping from the committee’s Los Angeles address.
• Visual Communications Offering Professional Filmmaking Instruction, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Visual Communications is offering a filmmaker development program funded partly by the National Endowment for the Arts, providing instruction in documentary and dramatic filmmaking to Asian Pacific community members. Two 12-week courses will be offered with applications due in June and July 1988.
• Pacific Citizen Not Involved in Essay Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A letter distributed by Ben Matsuoka of Chicago proposing an essay contest on redress used the Pacific Citizen’s address without permission, falsely implying the paper’s involvement. After being confronted by Sue Kunitomi Embrey and the P.C. office, Matsuoka apologized and withdrew the P.C. address from the contest materials.

Military & Veterans

• Nikkei Vietnam Vets Saluted In L.A., by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. Nearly 980 members of the Japanese American community attended a fund-raising dinner honoring Japanese American Vietnam veterans and Vincent Okamoto, raising over $103,000 for a memorial plaque at the Japanese American National Museum. Okamoto spoke about the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans upon return and defended the record of American forces in Vietnam, while actress Martha Raye was also honored.

Incarceration & Redress

• Bush Says ‘Yes’ to Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vice President George Bush endorsed redress legislation for Japanese Americans while campaigning in California, calling it ‘only fair’ to provide apologies and reparations. Both Democratic candidates Dukakis and Jackson had already announced support, while President Reagan had not yet taken a position as the bill awaited conference committee resolution.
• Grassroots Effort Gains Support of Former U.S. President, by Grayce Uyehara, page 4. Former President Gerald Ford sent a letter promising to personally urge President Reagan to sign the redress legislation, joining a wave of grassroots support including Republican leaders, Shriners, and various religious and civil rights organizations. The column details ongoing mailgram and letter-writing campaigns urging Reagan to sign H.R. 442 amid opposition advertising against the bill.

JACL

• Candidates Reveal Platform, Histories, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Biographical sketches introduce JACL presidential candidates Mollie Fujioka, Cressey Nakagawa, and Helen Kawagoe ahead of the 1988 National JACL Convention in Seattle. Each candidate’s background, community service, and JACL involvement are outlined as part of convention coverage.
• National Board Motions, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A summary of motions passed at the May 29-30 National JACL Board meeting in San Francisco covers awards, budget adjustments, personnel matters, and policy positions including support for the Racial Justice Act and Universal Voter Registration. The board also addressed convention expenses, the LEC’s fundraising use of the Pacific Citizen mailing list, and endorsement of a videotape on the Hirabayashi case.
• JACL-LEC Motions, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL-LEC board approved continuing operations beyond fiscal year 1989 to monitor appropriations and assist the attorney general in locating redress recipients, at an estimated cost of $100,000 per year. Other motions addressed a personnel manual, convention expenses for board members, and an extension of Rita Takahashi’s employment agreement.
• 1989 – 1990 Staff Support, P.C., Program Costs Top New JACL Budget Figures in Detail, by Harry Honda, page 6. District councils are meeting to review the proposed 1989-90 JACL budget, which includes a $2 dues increase to fund postage, printing, and new programs. The article breaks down budget allocations for National Headquarters, the Washington office, district field offices, and the Pacific Citizen, including a new part-time Washington Representative position.
• Mollie Fujioka: JACL Presidency Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Mollie Fujioka, a longtime JACL member from Walnut Creek, Calif., details her extensive community service and JACL leadership history as she runs for National JACL President. Her platform emphasizes bringing redress to conclusion, membership growth, intergenerational leadership transition, and diversified funding.
• Helen Kawagoe: JACL Presidency Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Helen Kawagoe, Carson city clerk and longtime JACL leader, presents her professional background, community service, and extensive JACL record as she campaigns for National JACL President. Her platform focuses on re-evaluating JACL’s mission, strengthening its image and internal network, and increasing membership.
• Cressey Nakagawa: JACL Presidency Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Cressey Nakagawa, a Modesto-born attorney and San Francisco JACL chapter leader, outlines his legal career, extensive community fundraising activities, and JACL involvement including work as deputy legal counsel. His platform emphasizes pushing redress appropriations, financial stability, membership recruitment programs, and legal network development.
• Guidelines for Undeclared Candidates, by P.C. Staff, page 8. National Nominations Committee chair Teresa Maebori reports that nominations exist for every national office except vice president of planning and development. Undeclared candidates must be nominated from the floor at the National Convention with proper endorsement from their district council chapters.
• Cherry Kinoshita: Vice President for Public Affairs Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Cherry Kinoshita, a Seattle-based longtime JACL leader and current VP for Public Affairs, details her WWII incarceration history, community service, and extensive JACL record as she seeks re-election. Her platform focuses on redress appropriations, civil rights vigilance, coalition building, and anti-discrimination advocacy.
• Alan Nishi: National Secretary-Treasurer Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Alan Nishi, a banking professional from Sacramento and current National Secretary-Treasurer, highlights his agricultural lending background and JACL leadership experience in seeking re-election. His platform emphasizes civil rights advocacy, membership development, and fiscal responsibility for JACL’s future.
• Jimmy Tokeshi: National Youth Representative Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Jimmy Tokeshi, a Cal State L.A. student and Downtown Los Angeles Chapter board member, describes his Boy Scout background, museum volunteer work, and PSWD Youth representative role. His platform for JACL after redress focuses on community outreach, leadership development, and coalition building.
• Priscilla Ann Ouchida: VP General Operations Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Priscilla Ann Ouchida, a California State Assembly legislative assistant from Sacramento, details her budget management experience and extensive Sacramento Chapter JACL leadership. Her platform emphasizes rebuilding JACL for Sansei and Yonsei generations, strengthening chapters, and addressing funding challenges including the Pacific Citizen’s costs.
• Robert Sakaguchi: VP 1000 Club, Membership & Services Candidate, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Robert Sakaguchi, a Colorado civil engineer and Broomfield city councilman, outlines his Mile-Hi Chapter JACL leadership and community organizing experience. His platform calls for a programmed approach to membership growth and an aggressive membership marketing campaign.
• CCDC to Elect District Officers at June 25 Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Central California District Council moved its officer elections to a June 25 pre-convention meeting at Governor Mae Takahashi’s home in Clovis. The meeting will include a preview of the Seattle Convention agenda from National Director Ron Wakabayashi and a candidates’ forum.
• Youth Convention to Coincide with Seattle Confab, by Alan Mochizuki, page 12. The 1988 JACL National Youth Convention will be held Aug. 5-10 in Seattle alongside the National Convention, featuring workshops, speech contests, a moonlight cruise, and visits to the Woodland Park Zoo. Youth Convention chair Crystal Tanabe hopes to foster networking and lasting friendships among JAYS members from across the country.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Yankee Dawg’ a First Rate Production, by George Johnston, page 2. Philip Kan Gotanda’s play ‘Yankee Dawg You Die,’ starring Sab Shimono and Kelvin Han Yee, depicts two Asian American actors from different generations grappling with stereotypes and identity in Hollywood. The reviewer praises the performances, staging, and humor, noting the production runs at the Los Angeles Theatre Center through July 3.

Commentary

• The World of the Flat Earther, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial compares Japanese cabinet official Seisuke Okuno, who denied Japan’s wartime aggression, to American ‘Flat Earthers’ who oppose redress payments to Japanese Americans. The piece argues that mindless deniers of historical fact on both sides cannot be reasoned with.
• Hecht ‘Poorly’ Informed, by Wilson Makabe, page 4. A 442nd veteran who lost his leg in combat writes to rebuke Senator Chic Hecht for claiming Japanese Americans did not suffer or die, detailing his family’s wartime losses including property seized without compensation. He describes the inadequate Evacuation Claims Act settlement his family received and his brothers’ military service.
• Camp Food No Picnic, by Fred T. Yoshida, page 4. A former camp kitchen worker disputes claims that internees received food rations equal to soldiers, noting the daily ration was only 31 cents per internee at Poston Camp I. He states poor nutritional planning characterized camp food service based on his firsthand experience working under the chief steward.
• Stereotypes Harmful, by Mary Tani, page 4. The writer criticizes Senator S.I. Hayakawa’s claim that redress would reflect unfavorably on Japanese Americans due to higher average income, arguing this stereotyping itself is harmful and racist. She contends income averaging by race creates a false composite image ignoring individual circumstances, unlike how white Americans’ poverty and need receive media attention.
• A Christian Putdown, by Eji Suyama, page 4. The writer responds to a book review debate about Mike Masaoka’s memoir, defending the characterization of Moses as a true prophet against Mr. Hohri’s dismissal of him as merely a lawmaker. He argues Moses holds a unique status among Jewish and Christian prophets with a direct relationship to God.
• Ko-den, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Columnist Bill Marutani explores the meaning and kanji etymology of ‘ko-den,’ the traditional incense money given to bereaved families, tracing its Buddhist symbolism. He also discusses the importance of preparing a will (yuigon-sho) in advance to specify funeral wishes and spare grieving families difficult decisions.
• Eating and Talking in Boston, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa recounts a trip to Boston for a convention of news ombudsmen, including a humorous mix-up over directions and a dinner conversation with Yomiuri editor Takeshi Maezawa comparing Japanese and American reader complaint cultures. He muses whether Japanese cultural preference for anonymity contributes to Japan’s difficulty taking responsibility in international trade disputes.
• What Makes a Leader Effective?, by Neal Taniguchi, page 5. Taniguchi reflects on JACL’s leadership development efforts, arguing that true leadership requires intangible qualities like personal conviction, eloquence, charisma, and compassion beyond workshop-taught skills. He cites speeches by Warren Furutani and Yoon Hee Kim, and his observations of Nikkei congressional leaders through the Washington D.C. Leadership Program, as examples of these qualities in action.

Sports

• Orange County JACL Does it Again, Extends Winning Streak to 11 in Nisei Relays, by Harry Honda, page 10. Orange County JACL’s men and women athletes won their 11th consecutive championship at the 37th annual PSWDC JACL Nisei Relays held at Cal State Long Beach, with nearly 200 young athletes from five chapters competing. The article provides detailed results across multiple age divisions and events including sprints, relays, jumps, and throws.

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