Clinton’s economic plan, and the 1993 Day of Remembrance

Vol. 116, No. 8, February 26, 1993. 12 pages. View this issue

Reactions to President Clinton’s economic plan led the February 26, 1993 issue. Gwen Muranaka reported on Clyde Prestowitz, Jr., who called the state of the union speech a dramatic direction for policy, and the paper surveyed Japanese Americans from Detroit, Philadelphia and elsewhere, with answers ranging from approval to skepticism. Teruhiko Mano wrote on whether Clinton was a protectionist, and Bill Hosokawa profiled Patricia Saiki’s views on Asian American business.

History ran through the 12 pages as well. Chizu Iiyama described San Francisco school children visiting Day of Remembrance exhibits on the World War II incarceration (often called internment), and Heart Mountain draft resisters held a homecoming attended by about 400 people. Other stories covered racism accusations against Spokane Democratic officials, an amicus brief supporting a Wisconsin hate crime law, and the new pavilion planned for the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

What’s in this issue

National

• U.S.-Japan Expert Likes Economic Priority Plan, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. Clyde Prestowitz, Jr., founder of the Economic Strategy Institute and former Reagan-era Commerce Department official, praised Clinton’s state of the union speech as a dramatic and historic direction for economic policy. Speaking at an event sponsored by Town Hall of California and the Japan America Society, Prestowitz emphasized the need to address the budget deficit and strategic industries.
• Accused of Racism, Spokane Democrats Asked to Resign, by Staff reports, page 1. Spokane Mayor Shari Barnard called for the resignation of two Democratic officials, Marge Davis and Betty, following accusations of racial epithets and gestures against a local hotel owner. Davis is accused of calling hotel owner Patrick Ng a racial slur, prompting the mayor to threaten involvement of the Human Relations Commission if the party doesn’t act.
• Sentencing Set for Murderer of Issei Woman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The sentencing of Jeremy Brinkley for the burglary, rape, and homicide of 87-year-old Issei woman Chiyoko Kono was rescheduled for March 12 in Fresno Superior Court. Brinkley confessed to the 1990 Selma crimes, which also included the burglary and assault of a 68-year-old woman.
• Asian Pacific Groups File Amicus Brief Supporting Hate Crime Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A coalition of Asian Pacific American civil rights organizations, including JACL, filed an amicus brief supporting a Wisconsin hate crimes law being challenged before the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Mitchell. Attorney Angelo Ancheta noted the ruling could affect other anti-discrimination laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
• Protectionism Concerns Continue Amid Yen Appreciation Pressure, by Teruhiko Mano, page 10. This continuation piece examines Japan’s balance of payments shifting into surplus and the resulting pressure for yen appreciation against the dollar. The author argues that while a stronger yen would hurt Japanese export industries, it would help correct trade imbalances and could lead to more sustainable economic growth for Japan.
• Spokane Officials Face Continued Pressure Over Racism Accusations, page 11. Following Mayor Shari Barnard’s call for resignations over racist remarks, a Spokane JACL chapter member praised the mayor’s prompt response and suggested other elected officials should be asked to speak out on the issue. The controversy stemmed from remarks and gestures directed at a local hotel owner by Democratic party officials.
• Expert Prestowitz Continues: U.S. Must Address Underlying Economic Structures, by Gwen Muranaka, page 11. Continuing his remarks, Prestowitz criticized U.S. economic policy for focusing on interest rates and budget deficits while ignoring underlying structural issues in what the country produces. He argued Japan operates under a different structural economic system and expressed hope that Clinton’s approach could usher in a better era of U.S.-Japan relations.

JACL

• Tri-District Event Exhibit Rates Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Planning committee for the April 2-4 JACL Tri-District Conference announced rates for exhibit tables and booklet advertisements at the Westin South Coast Plaza. Exhibit tables cost $250, with booklet ad rates ranging from $50 to $400 depending on size.
• Talk of the Town: Japanese American National Museum Pavilion Unveiled, page 5. A crescent-shaped five-story addition to the Japanese American National Museum, designed by architect Gyo Obata of St. Louis, was unveiled at the 1993 annual meeting in Los Angeles. The new pavilion, nicknamed the ‘Pavilion,’ will provide 65,000 square feet, tripling the museum’s space at the old Nishi Hongwanji building in Little Tokyo.
• Kimura Is Guest Speaker at St. Louis Installation, by Sherry Shimamoto Pratt, page 7. JACL National President Lillian Kimura addressed the St. Louis Chapter’s inaugural dinner, expressing her wish for JACL to become a major player in policy decisions affecting Asian Americans. She praised chapter members for their work on the Rohwer restoration and Jerome dedication projects, and new chapter president Kendall Itoku was installed.
• IN-SIGHT: Travels to St. Louis and Twin Cities Chapter Installations, by Lillian Kimura, page 8. JACL National President Lillian Kimura recounts her travels to St. Louis and Twin Cities chapter installation dinners, noting generational leadership transitions within both chapters. She also describes a visit to the Mall of America with local JACL members during her Minneapolis trip.

Commentary

• Reactions to Clinton’s Economic Plan, by Staff reports, page 1. Pacific Citizen surveyed Japanese Americans across the country for reactions to President Clinton’s state of the union economic plan, finding mixed responses ranging from approval to skepticism. Interviewees from Detroit, Philadelphia, and other chapters weighed in on tax increases, deficit reduction, and government spending cuts.
• Only a Crushed Rose, by Dr. Mitsuo Miura, page 5. This reflective piece describes the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by Executive Order 9066 and the unjust incarceration of innocent Japanese Americans during WWII. The author frames the internment experience as one of both suffering and ultimate triumphant resilience, comparing survivors to a crushed rose that refused to remain crushed.
• Agenda: Chicago Chapter Paints Office, Seattle Series, Golf Tournaments and More, by Tal, page 6. This roundup column covers various JACL chapter news including Chicago Chapter members volunteering to paint their office, Seattle Chapter’s weekly workshop series, Houston Caper golf tournament plans, Arizona Chapter’s hate crime hotline efforts, and honors given to Diablo Valley Chapter leaders by the Concord Human Relations Commission. The column also mentions a Day of Remembrance event in Chicago featuring Rea Tajiri’s documentary and Dwight Okita’s play.
• Saiki: Adding Up the Numbers, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Former SBA head Patricia Saiki shared statistics on Asian American business growth with the Mile-Hi Chapter of JACL, highlighting a micro-loan program she helped establish for small businesses. The column also discusses Saiki’s political career, her 1990 Senate defeat, and her future plans including a possible run for Hawaii governor in 1994.
• East Wind: Jiten, Books & Tomes, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Marutani reviews a comprehensive Japanese-English technical dictionary compiled by Louise Watanabe Tung, praising its thoroughness for those in U.S.-Japan commerce. He also recommends books by the late Richard S. Oguro about Nisei WWII experiences and reflects on an unpublished manuscript he once reviewed for a Nikkei woman stranded in China during WWII.
• Voices from Japan: Is Clinton a Protectionist?, by Teruhiko Mano, page 9. Japanese economist Teruhiko Mano analyzes President Clinton’s likely economic policies, predicting pressure on Japan for market access and yen appreciation to address trade imbalances. He argues Japan should cooperate with adjusting exchange rates and reducing its trade surplus to avoid provoking U.S. protectionism.
• Family Style: Reflections on the Los Angeles Public Affairs Program, by Alison Fong and Craig Minami, page 9. Two PSWD JACL members describe their participation in the Los Angeles Public Affairs Program, which introduced them to local government officials and community-based organizations addressing the city’s diverse population. They met with figures including Gil Garcetti, Warren Furutani, and Dennis Hayashi, and reflected on the need for collaborative, ‘family style’ community engagement.
• Moshi Moshi: The Sumo Lifestyle, by Jin Konomi, page 9. This column explores the physical demands, pay structure, and cultural dynamics of sumo wrestling, focusing on Hawaiian-born champion Akebono, the first foreign-born Yokozuna. It discusses the rigorous training, cuisine, and financial rewards of the sport, as well as concerns about the influx of foreign-born rikishi changing the nature of sumo.
• Reactions to Clinton’s Plan Continued: Kaji, Mukai, Saiki Weigh In, page 11. Additional reactions to Clinton’s economic plan are presented from Jon Kaji, who favors more spending cuts before tax increases, and Bill Mukai, who argues the plan will slow economic growth without significantly reducing the deficit. Saiki of the Chicago Chapter expressed cautious support despite anticipating higher personal taxes.
• Family Style Continued: Building Coalitions for Justice, by Alison Fong and Craig Minami, page 12. The authors continue their reflection on the LA Public Affairs Program, describing meetings with community leaders including Joe Hicks, Arturo Vargas, and Rabbi Gary Greenbaum. They emphasize the importance of coalition-building and warn against ethnocentrism leading to further Balkanization of Los Angeles communities.
• East Wind Continued: Nisei Odyssey Awaits, by Bill Marutani, page 12. Marutani mentions receiving a two-volume work titled ‘Nisei Odyssey’ by Norio Mitsuoka about wartime U.S. Army Air Corps service, though he notes he is currently occupied reading McCullough’s lengthy biography of Truman. He looks forward to eventually reading Mitsuoka’s account.

Community

• Yoshino, Yoshimura Honored by Asian American Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bill Yoshino, JACL Midwest regional director, received the Pan Asian American Award for 1993 from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago for his work addressing anti-Asian violence and community empowerment. Kiyo Yoshimura also received the community service award for her decades of work with Japanese American organizations and social services.
• Teens Hold Intercultural Dialogue, page 4. Twenty-five Asian American and Pacific Islander teens participated in a workshop on intercultural communication sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews in Los Angeles. The workshop, part of the county-wide Project Rebound disaster recovery program, included discussions on ethnic identity, prejudice, and values clarification exercises.
• New JACL Chapter Board Members Announced, page 7. This roundup lists newly installed 1993 board members for several JACL chapters including Ventura, Berkeley, Reno, Diablo Valley, New Mexico, and Las Vegas. It also highlights the installation of San Jose Nikkei Singles officers including president Miyo Toko and other board members.
• Personally Speaking: Community Honors and Achievements, page 10. This roundup covers various community honors including George Sakaguchi’s election to the National Conference of Christians and Jews board, Ruth Asawa and David K. Lam receiving Asian Pacific awards from University of San Francisco, and Marie Morisawa’s Distinguished Alumni award from the University of Wyoming for her geomorphology work. It also profiles Lisa Sugimoto’s participation in an international leadership training program.
• Making Deposits in a Blood Bank, page 10. Yukio Shimomura received the Trailblazer Award from the National Marrow Donor Program for his volunteer efforts recruiting minority marrow donors with the San Diego Blood Bank. His efforts, sparked by the case of leukemia patient Brian Tanaka, led to 1,845 potential marrow donors being added to the registry and the creation of the Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches recruitment organization.

Incarceration & Redress

• Wartime Draft Resisters Reunite, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 400 people attended a ceremonial homecoming for Heart Mountain draft resisters at Centenary United Methodist Church, where Fair Play Committee members Frank Emi, Mits Koshiyama, and Gloria Kubota shared remembrances of their wartime struggles. In 1944, 63 Heart Mountain resisters were convicted of draft evasion; JACL formally recognized their place in history in 1990 after having opposed them during the war.
• Learning About Camp, by Chizu Iiyama, page 4. San Francisco school children viewed exhibits on Japanese American internment, including ‘Children of the Detention Camps’ and ‘Enemy Alien,’ as part of Day of Remembrance programming sponsored by the National Japanese American Historical Society. Docents shared personal stories with the children, who responded with questions about what they would have brought if forced into camps.
• ‘We Shall Overcome’ Exhibit in Little Tokyo, page 5. A special exhibit exploring Japanese American experiences during the civil rights movement was on display during Black History Month at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. The exhibit included photographs and statements from figures such as K. Patrick Okura, Hideko Patricia Sumi, Paul Tsuneishi, and others discussing JACL’s participation in the 1963 March on Washington.

Sports

• Moshi Moshi Continued: The Future of Sumo with Foreign Wrestlers, by Jin Konomi, page 12. Konomi speculates on the future of sumo given the rise of foreign-born champions like Akebono and Konishiki, noting that traditional throwing techniques have diminished in favor of sheer size and strength. He draws a comparison to American football’s Tokyo Bowl, where the players were foreign while the audience was Japanese.

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