The 1992 holiday issue: Women in JACL and a look back at the presidents

Vol. 115, No. 20, December 18, 1992. 144 pages. View this issue

Women in JACL was the cover story of this 144-page holiday issue. Gwen Muranaka’s long feature traced the sexism women met in the organization, from the “tea and cookies” stereotype to the rise of Lillian Kimura, JACL’s first woman national president, with two companion pieces on generational gaps and on racism versus sexism. A “Voices from Past Presidents” series ran across the issue, with Kumeo Yoshinari, Harry Kajihara, Jim Tsujimura, Frank Chuman and Raymond S. Uno recalling their terms, including the redress campaign. George Takei wrote on diversity after the Los Angeles riots.

Also inside: how Japanese American farmers kept their land during the World War II incarceration (often called internment), a history of King Kalakaua and Japanese immigration to Hawaii, and Harry K. Honda’s 40 years at the paper. Rohwer and Jerome camp monuments were dedicated, and about 89 pages carry holiday greetings from chapters, businesses and families.

What’s in this issue

In-Depth

• The Story of Kalakaua and Japanese Immigration to Hawaii, page 1. This historical feature traces how King Kalakaua of Hawaii’s 1881 diplomatic visit to Japan and his friendship with Emperor Mutsuhito helped pave the way for large-scale Japanese immigration to Hawaii’s sugar plantations. The article details Kalakaua’s unusual request to betroth his niece Princess Kaiulani to a Japanese prince and the broader historical context of labor immigration policies.
• Women in JACL: Behind the Tea and Cookies, the Difficulties They’ve Overcome and the Difference They’ve Made, by Gwen Muranaka, page 8. This lengthy feature traces the history of sexism faced by women within JACL, from the ‘tea and cookies’ stereotype and Miss National JACL beauty pageants to open hostility at board meetings. It also chronicles the rise of women leaders like Lillian Kimura, JACL’s first woman national president, and the resolutions and campaigns waged since the 1970s to achieve gender equity in the organization.
• Kate Motoyama: Born to Teach, by Richard Suenaga, page 20. Profile of Kate Motoyama, a teacher at the College of San Mateo known for her warm, personal approach to teaching and her work in performance art. The article also describes her English as a Second Language class project making 1,300 origami cranes that she personally delivered to Hiroshima’s Peace Park.
• A Journey to Hiroshima’s Peace Day Ceremony, page 21. A deeply personal essay recounting the author’s childhood experiences of shame about being both American and Japanese, and her journey delivering 1,300 paper cranes folded by ESL students to Hiroshima’s Peace Park for the Peace Day Ceremony. The piece describes the annual commemoration of the atomic bombing, including the story of Sadako Sasaki and the ceremony’s rituals of remembrance.
• Reflections: 40 Years at the Pacific Citizen Desk, by Harry K. Honda, page 26. Editor emeritus Harry Honda reminisces about his four decades at the Pacific Citizen, highlighting twelve memorable stories and events including the paper’s founding as the Nikkei Shimin in 1929, President Reagan signing the Redress Bill, and meeting Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori. He includes numerous historical ‘sidetracks’ about JACL history, terminology, and notable figures.

JACL

• Salinas Valley Chapter Looks Ahead, Looks Back, by Barry Saiki, page 3. Former Stockton Chapter president Barry Saiki reflects on dramatic changes in Japanese American life over 50 years, from segregated communities in 1942 to full acceptance in civic organizations today. He discusses his own retirement activities and encourages continued community involvement and coalition-building with other Asian American groups.
• Voices from Past Presidents: Kumeo Yoshinari Recalls JACL History, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 6. Former National JACL President Yoshinari (1964-66) recounts key moments from his tenure, including a contentious debate over raising membership dues by 25 cents at the 1960 Sacramento convention. He also discusses his idea for a JACL-sponsored senior living facility that was never fully realized and reflects on the organization’s evolution from Nisei to Sansei leadership.
• Voices from Past Presidents: Harry Kajihara on Redress Team Effort, by Harry Kajihara, page 6. Former National JACL President Kajihara (1986-88) expresses gratitude to numerous individuals who contributed to the successful redress campaign, including fundraisers, LEC staff, and supportive Japanese American Congress members. He reflects on the significance of redress as a lasting achievement in American constitutional history.
• Voices from Past Presidents: Jim Tsujimura on Nationalizing Redress, by Jim Tsujimura, page 10. Former National JACL President Tsujimura (1980-82) recalls the difficult decision to pursue a presidential commission route for redress rather than going directly to Congress, and describes witnessing President Carter sign the commission bill. He also discusses a project to preserve a Seattle Issei home by relocating it to Meiji-Mura museum in Japan.
• Voices from Past Presidents: Frank Chuman on the Japanese American Research Project, by Frank Chuman, page 13. Former National JACL President Chuman (1960-62) describes his tenure’s major achievement: establishing the JACL Research Project which raised $220,000 to fund research and publication of comprehensive Japanese American history. He credits Shig Wakamatsu’s 32 years of leadership on the project and discusses his own subsequent career as an immigration lawyer.
• Mt. Olympus Chapter to Host 1994 National Convention, by Floyd and Irene Mori, page 19. The Mount Olympus Chapter in Salt Lake City is preparing to host the 33rd Biennial National JACL Convention in August 1994, themed ‘JACL: Legacy of Generations.’ The article details Utah’s Japanese American history, including the WWII Topaz internment camp, and highlights local attractions for convention attendees.
• Voices from Past Presidents: Raymond Uno on Giving Back, by Raymond S. Uno, page 40. Former National JACL President Uno (1970-72) discusses his post-retirement life caring for his elderly mother and his renewed community involvement after years of judicial service. He reflects on JACL’s continuing importance despite ongoing debates about its relevance, citing the organization’s crucial role in achieving redress legislation.
• JACL’s Restructuring Proposal: Committee on Organization Structure Recommendations, by Bill Yoshino, page 42. This detailed policy article outlines the Committee on Organization Structure’s recommendations for restructuring JACL’s national board, including new positions for Financial Development and Communications, an elected Nominations Committee, and at-large board members. The proposal aims to strengthen chapters, improve communications, and create parallel functions between the national board and staff.
• The Legacy Fund: A Foundation for the Future, by Grayce K. Uyehara, page 43. Uyehara discusses JACL’s Legacy Fund campaign to build a $10 million endowment, highlighting the successful completion of redress legislation with the Civil Liberties Act Amendments of 1992. She emphasizes JACL’s continuing priorities including educational reform to include Asian American history in curricula and combating rising anti-Asian violence.

Commentary

• Seeking Diversity: Making Diversity America’s Strength, by George Takei, page 7. Actor George Takei reflects on 1992 as a year of stark contrasts for Japanese Americans, from receiving his redress payment to witnessing rising hate crimes and the Los Angeles riots. He argues that Japanese Americans’ historical experience of building coalitions and depending on constitutional principles offers valuable lessons for America’s increasingly pluralistic future.
• At the Crossroads: Youth Column, by Kim Nakahara, page 14. JACL National Youth Chairperson Nakahara pays tribute to UC Davis Professor George Kagiwada, who inspired her Asian American identity and activism through his Asian American Studies courses. She calls on youth to take advantage of ethnic studies courses and use their knowledge to empower the Asian Pacific Islander community amid rising campus racial tensions.
• JACL Moves to the Future, by Trisha Murakawa, page 16. Murakawa argues that the status of Asians and Pacific Islanders is declining, citing their exclusion from a Los Angeles Times poll after the 1992 riots and the Wards Cove Amendment controversy in the Civil Rights Act. She calls for JACL to adopt a stronger civil rights agenda and for the Asian American community to demand greater political and social power.
• Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, by Joy St. Germain, page 16. Seattle Chapter JACL President St. Germain outlines practical environmental strategies for JACL members and chapters, covering the EPA’s waste management hierarchy of source reduction, recycling, and proper disposal. She provides specific tips for reducing waste in offices and homes.
• Preserving Our Heritage Through Family History, by Shake Ushio, page 17. Ushio argues for the importance of preserving Japanese American family histories and personal narratives before they are lost to future generations, sharing a poignant story about a forgotten Issei immigrant. He proposes a workshop at the 1994 convention on family history preservation methods, noting Salt Lake City’s resources through LDS genealogical programs.
• Women in JACL: The Gaps Between Men and Women, Nisei and Sansei, by Gwen Muranaka, page 36. This companion piece examines generational tensions within JACL between Nisei and Sansei members, discussing differences in leadership styles, financial attitudes, and commitment levels. Women leaders like Carol Kawamoto and Mollie Fujioka discuss the importance of mentoring younger Sansei leaders to ensure the organization’s future.
• Sexism and Racism: Which Battle is Harder to Fight?, by Gwen Muranaka, page 37. This piece explores JACL members’ varied perspectives on whether racism or sexism poses a greater challenge, featuring quotes from leaders including Cherry Kinoshita, Betty Waki, and Chiye Tomihiro. Most interviewees conclude that racism is more dangerous and overt than sexism, while acknowledging that Japanese American women face compounded discrimination.
• From the Frying Pan: Kodomo no Tame ni – For the Sake of the Children, by Bill Hosokawa, page 44. Hosokawa reflects on the Issei generation’s ethic of self-sacrifice for their children’s future, contrasting this with modern political rhetoric about ‘family values’ that focuses on immediate problems rather than long-term commitment. He argues that the patient, sacrificial values of the Issei offer a better model for American family values than what politicians currently promote.
• IN-SIGHT: Back to My Chicago Roots, by Lillian Kimura, page 45. JACL National President Lillian Kimura recounts a visit to Chicago, where she began her JACL involvement, describing the chapter’s inaugural dinner and the new generation of Sansei leadership. She also discusses meetings in Washington D.C. commemorating the Civil Rights Division’s anniversary and promotes a new book on Japanese Americans in agriculture.

Incarceration & Redress

• Farm Rescue: Community Effort Saved Japanese American Farms During WWII Internment, by David Oltman (California Farmer), page 10. This article details how Japanese American farmers in the Cortez, Livingston, and Merced areas of California avoided losing their farms during WWII internment through an innovative trustee arrangement organized by Gus Momberg of Bank of America’s California Lands Corporation. Interviews with several Nisei farmers describe the evacuation, their military service, and the successful preservation of their agricultural properties during their forced absence.
• In Remembrance, by Dr. Mitsuo Miura, page 34. A poetic reflection commemorating the WWII incarceration experience of Japanese Americans, using metaphorical language about a ‘crushed rose’ to represent the resilience and eventual triumph of those who endured internment despite injustice. The piece emphasizes the innocence and steadfastness of those affected by Executive Order 9066.
• Camp Shelby’s Memorial Lane 100/442 Monument to be Dedicated in 1993, page 43. A monument honoring the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team is being installed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, with dedication ceremonies planned for September 1993 to mark the 50th anniversary of the unit’s activation. Project coordinator Lt. Col. Herbert Sasaki discusses the historical significance of the training site for Japanese American WWII soldiers.
• Restoring Rohwer: Arkansas Relocation Camp Monuments Dedicated, by Mike Hoshiko, page 47. Nearly 200 former internees and friends gathered in Arkansas to dedicate restored monuments at the Rohwer and Jerome Relocation Camps, where nearly 20,000 Japanese Americans were interned during WWII. The event honored Rosalie Gould, mayor of McGehee, who helped preserve the camps’ memory, and included speeches from JACL leaders and elected officials.

Community

• The Headlines Say It All: Six Months After the Los Angeles Riots, by Jimmy Tokeshi, page 15. PSW Regional Director Tokeshi compiles a chronological review of Los Angeles Times headlines documenting the 1992 LA riots and their aftermath, from the Rodney King verdict through the following months of unrest, rebuilding efforts, and racial tension. The piece warns that underlying economic and racial tensions remain unresolved and could lead to future civil disturbances.
• Olympia Chapter Sponsors Variety of Events in 1992, page 17. The Olympia JACL Chapter details a busy year of community events including participation in the Asian/Pacific Isle Tribute, sponsoring the sixth annual Bon Odori dance festival, and hosting a Taiko drum performance. The chapter also presented a book on the Minidoka internment camp experience to Washington’s Secretary of State.
• Chicago’s Keiro Nursing Home Set to Open in 1993, by William Mukai, page 32. The Chicago Japanese American Service Committee’s Keiro Nursing Home, the first Asian American nursing home in the Midwest, is set to open in January 1993 after a decade of planning and fundraising. The 180-bed facility grew out of the successful Heiwa Terrace Retirement Home and aims to serve elderly Japanese Americans who need specialized care.
• Yaohan Celebrates First Year in Chicago, by William Mukai, page 32. The Yaohan Plaza Japanese department store and grocery in Arlington Heights, Illinois celebrates its first anniversary, attracting a diverse customer base beyond just the Japanese American community. The store has hosted cultural events like taiko drumming and plans future development including a Japanese-style hotel.
• Fresno Chapter Fills Up ’92 With Projects, Committee Work, by Debbie Ikeda, page 33. The Fresno JACL Chapter reports on an active year including civil rights advocacy, scholarship awards, and the successful Shin Zen Run fundraiser that raised over $10,000 for local Nikkei community organizations. The chapter also highlights the emergence of an active youth group under Kerry Kaneichi’s leadership.
• Seattle Chapter: The Year in Review, by Joy St. Germain, page 36. Seattle Chapter President St. Germain summarizes the chapter’s 1992 activities including Legacy Fund seminars, hate crimes prevention campaigns, and political candidate ratings developed with a coalition of Asian American Pacific Islander organizations. The chapter’s 71st Annual Installation Banquet was scheduled to honor artists George Tsutakawa and Paul Horiuchi.
• Voices of Youth: Tomorrow is Looking Even Better, by Joseph Horiye, page 40. San Diego JACL member Horiye, recipient of the Mike Masaoka congressional internship award, reflects on his college activism and leadership experience, encouraging young Japanese Americans to believe in themselves and get involved in their communities. He will work in Representative Norman Mineta’s office.
• Old Timers’ Reunion Planned for 1994 Convention, page 40. Plans are underway for an Old Timers’ Reunion at the 1994 National JACL Convention in Salt Lake City, organized by Shake Ushio of the Mount Olympus Chapter. The reunion aims to bring together longtime JACL members who led the organization through challenging periods including the Redress campaign.
• Fourth All-Manzanar Reunion Planned for August 1993, page 40. The Manzanar Reunion committees announced plans for the Fourth All-Camp Reunion to be held August 21, 1993 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel, with George Kiriyama serving as chairman. The article provides contact information for former internees interested in attending from various regional committees.
• West L.A. Chapter is Big and Involved, page 46. The West Los Angeles Chapter and Auxiliary, JACL’s largest chapter with approximately 1,100 members, maintains an active schedule of community activities and has formed partnerships with neighborhood associations to protect residential quality of life. The chapter engages extensively with other Asian American and civic organizations in the greater Los Angeles area.
• Philadelphia Sponsors Anti-Asian Violence Conference, page 46. The Philadelphia Chapter of JACL co-sponsored a two-day conference on anti-Asian violence at the University of Pennsylvania, drawing over 260 attendees including college students and community activists. Speakers included JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi and covered topics like coalition-building, hate crimes legislation, and community activism.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Says Bigotry Fight Not Yet Won, by Fred Thomas (Omaha World-Herald), page 20. War hero Ben Kuroki returned to Nebraska to open a Historical Society exhibit on WWII, recounting how he and his brother faced discrimination trying to enlist after Pearl Harbor. Kuroki, who flew 58 combat missions and became the only Japanese American to bomb mainland Japan, spoke about ongoing prejudice and praised former Senator Carl Curtis for helping him get waivers to fly missions despite regulations barring Japanese Americans.
• 100/442/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation Project Update, page 25. The 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation provides an update on its fundraising campaign for a monument to be built in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo area, reporting over $500,000 raised toward its $2.5 million goal. The foundation also requests public assistance in verifying names for its Honor Roll of Japanese American WWII veterans.

National

• JACL Says Schott Apology Not Enough, by P.C. Staff, page 44. After Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott publicly apologized for racial and ethnic slurs, JACL Midwest Director Bill Yoshino stated the apology does not resolve the situation and called on Major League Baseball to determine appropriate disciplinary action. Yoshino also urged baseball to address broader institutional racism by hiring more minorities into management positions.

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