Fears after the killings of Japanese students, and an Endowment Fund debate

Vol. 118, No. 15, April 22, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue

Violence against Japanese students in the United States ran through the April 22, 1994 issue. The front page reported on the murders of Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura in a San Pedro carjacking, on the shock in Japan, and on a Denver shooting in which student Kouichi Takemoto was wounded. Bill Hosokawa’s column looked at the deaths of five young Japanese men in America. On the front page, Harry K. Honda also covered the April 12 city council elections across Los Angeles County, where Judy Chu was set to become mayor of Monterey Park again.

Inside this 8-page issue is a long exchange over the JACL National Endowment Fund. Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa and Karl K. Nobuyuki wrote about the transfers made from the fund and asked for clearer reporting to members. Other pages cover plans for the 1994 convention in Salt Lake City, a progress report on the Topaz Museum, and Teresa Maebori’s account of JACL’s new curriculum guide on the Japanese American experience.

What’s in this issue

Community

• L.A.-Area Asians Score Hits, Misses in Elections, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. In the April 12 elections across Los Angeles County, several Asian American candidates and incumbents saw mixed results in city council races in Monterey Park, Arcadia, Cerritos, San Marino, Carson and Gardena. Judy Chu was set to become mayor of Monterey Park again, while incumbent Sam Kiang lost his council seat despite hopes for the mainland’s first Asian-majority city council.
• College Honors Slain Japanese Students, page 1. Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes established a film and lecture endowment fund in memory of Japanese students Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura, who were killed in a carjacking while studying filmmaking there. The fund aims to raise $30,000, with $4,000-$5,000 already collected, and the college plans additional tributes including honorary degrees and memorial trees.
• Dayton Seeks Marrow Donor, page 1. The Dayton Chapter JACL is seeking a bone marrow donor for eight-month-old Paul Ungericht, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and only a 20 percent chance of survival without a transplant. Because the baby is half Japanese and half Caucasian, organizers are urging people of similar ancestry to get tested through the Community Blood Center.
• Suyama Heads Wisconsin Slate, page 4. The Wisconsin Chapter JACL installed new officers at its inaugural dinner, featuring JETRO trade advisor Hisashi Miyazaki as keynote speaker discussing U.S.-Japan trade relations. Midwest District Governor David Hayashi installed the board and outlined membership and community goals, while national regional director Bill Yoshino answered questions about organizational issues.
• Philadelphia Chapter Installs Officers, Recognizes Graduates, page 4. The Philadelphia Chapter JACL installed new officers including president William Y. Kishi and recognized several graduating students with awards. Photos accompanied the announcement showing the new board and honored graduates.

JACL

• JACL Board Meeting in S.F. Scheduled, page 1. The JACL National Board will meet Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 in San Francisco. The meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.
• JACL Deadlines for the ’94 Convention, page 1. JACL announced key deadlines for the 1994 Salt Lake City convention, including May 1 for nominations and awards forms and June 1 for resolutions and constitutional amendments. Chapters were encouraged to submit proposed resolutions early for review by the Resolutions Committee.
• He’s 1st to Sign Up for Convention, page 3. Sen Nishiyama of the Japan Chapter became the first registrant for the 1994 National JACL Convention in Salt Lake City. The article details his family history, education, and distinguished career as an interpreter, including simultaneous interpretation for NHK during the Apollo moon missions.

National

• California Councilwoman Recalled for Racist Remarks, page 1. San Jose Councilwoman Kathy Cole was recalled by voters after making racist remarks about Asian and Latino Americans at an African American leadership conference. She became the first councilwoman ousted from office in San Jose’s history, with 59.2% voting in favor of the recall.
• Japanese Again Shocked by Latest Shootings in U.S., page 1. The murders of Japanese students Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura in a San Pedro carjacking have intensified fears in Japan about violence in America, with Japanese media and citizens reacting with shock. Suspect Raymond Oscar Butler pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, while accomplice Alberto Raygoza also pleaded not guilty to related charges.
• Japanese Student Shot in Denver, page 1. Kouichi Takemoto, 26, a Japanese student in Denver, was shot in the shoulder during an apparent carjacking and is in fair condition. Police said the attack did not appear to be motivated by his nationality, and the suspects remain at large.
• Canadians Examine Gender Sensitivity, by Mike Hoshiko, page 3. The National Association of Japanese Canadians held a conference in Toronto examining attitudes toward homosexuality, women’s rights and gender roles, concluding that Nisei and Sansei must discard notions that heterosexuality is the norm. Speakers addressed the experiences of picture brides and screened related films, including a reading of the play M. Butterfly.

Commentary

• Death Toll on the Streets of America, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa reflects on the deaths of five young Japanese men in America in recent years, including Yoshihiro Hattori, Masakazu Kuriyama, Takuma Ito, Go Matsuura, and Kouichi Takemoto, questioning whether their unfamiliarity with American urban violence made them targets. He notes that despite police assurances race wasn’t a factor, young Japanese American males should remain vigilant given random street violence in the U.S.
• High Marks for JACL Education Program, by Teresa Maebori, page 5. Maebori describes enthusiasm for JACL’s new curriculum guide ‘The Japanese American Experience: A Lesson in American History’ and announces an upcoming seminar in San Francisco to train JACLers on disseminating and teaching the guide. The seminar will include workshops on marketing strategies, resource materials, and networking with speakers like Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and Mary Tsukamoto.
• Mizobe, Murakawa Off Base in ‘Same Sex’ Issue, by Wes Odo, page 5. A letter writer criticizes JACL leaders Ruth Mizobe and Trisha Murakawa for supporting same-sex marriage positions that may not reflect the views of dues-paying members. The writer questions the suppression of press and secret meetings by the JACL National Board and whether the organization remains a democratic representative of the Japanese American community.
• Thanks for Story on Topaz Museum, Says Reader, by Dane Sekuguchi, page 5. A reader from the Topaz Museum Committee thanks the Pacific Citizen for covering the Topaz Museum project and provides an update on restoration progress. The committee hopes to have the recreation hall in place by summer for the JACL Convention in Salt Lake City.
• The Endowment Fund: What’s Going On Here? All’s Not Well in JACL, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 6. Nishikawa challenges JACL’s unsigned ‘For the Record’ document responding to concerns about the National Endowment Fund, disputing claims about meetings, fund transfers, and interest rates. He raises detailed questions about the $200,000 transfer from the Endowment Fund and calls for greater transparency and oversight through an independent board of trustees.
• The Endowment Fund Matter: A Case in Point, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 6. Nobuyuki examines the history behind the Endowment Fund’s $200,000 and $50,000 transfers to National JACL operations, tracing the decision to build up the fund under past president Cressey Nakagawa before it was later drawn down. He questions the timeline of disclosures and whether the shift was cost-effective or properly reported to the membership.
• Nishikawa Responds to ‘For the Record’, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 7. Continuing his critique, Nishikawa questions the accuracy of the reported $700,000 Endowment Fund figure, which was later called a ‘typo’ by treasurer Jon Kaji, and calls for documentation. He credits new National Director Randy Senzaki for taking on a difficult role after the controversies and urges better staff-board accountability.
• Nobuyuki: Membership Deserves Prompt, Skillful Service, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 7. Nobuyuki continues his analysis of the Endowment Fund’s purchasing power and questions why JACL leadership altered its fund-building approach without clear justification. He calls on the National Board and staff to prioritize membership concerns and urges members to become more engaged through upcoming elections.

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