Monument to three Japanese sailors, and the fight over redress funding

Vol. 109, No. 3, August 4, 1989. 12 pages. View this issue

The front page carried the dedication of a monument at Fort Vancouver, Washington, to the three shipwrecked Japanese sailors who arrived in 1833. Nearly 300 people attended, and a letter from President Bush was read. The same page followed the push for redress funding: a march and rally through Little Tokyo, a motion by 17 Japanese Americans to dismiss a suit challenging the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and a salute to Rep. Bob Matsui in Sacramento. Page 8 gives Ed Matovik’s account of how the House added $30 million to the redress appropriation.

Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani, Jin Konomi, Bill Yoshino and George Johnston, and news of the JACL Tri-District convention in Chicago. JACL’s opposition to the Ridge Amendment on the 1990 Census appeared on page 1, and a Canadian census study and Japanese Canadian redress fund survey ran on page 2. Page 8 also reports Sue Kunitomi Embrey’s national award for her work on the Manzanar pilgrimage.

What’s in this issue

National

• President Bush Salutes 1833 Journey of Three Japanese Sailors, page 1. Nearly 300 people gathered at Fort Vancouver, Wash., to dedicate a monument commemorating the 1833 arrival of three shipwrecked Japanese sailors, the first Japanese to reach the U.S. mainland. President Bush sent a congratulatory letter read at the ceremony, and dignitaries including Japan’s Hyogo governor and JACL officials attended.
• JACL Opposes Linking of Census-Immigration Tie, page 1. JACL joined a coalition of organizations opposing the Ridge Amendment, which would exclude undocumented persons from the 1990 Census count for apportionment purposes. The coalition cited constitutional issues and Census Bureau concerns about workability and accuracy.
• Wife Confesses to Slaying Rep. Kotani, Then Kills Self, page 1. Grace Imura-Kotani confessed to killing her estranged husband, Hawaii state Rep. Roland Kotani, before fatally shooting herself at a police station. Kotani was a well-liked legislator and former journalist who had written on Japanese Hawaiian history.
• Overseas Japanese Count at 518,318, page 1. A Japanese Foreign Ministry survey found 518,318 Japanese subjects living overseas as of October 1987, with the largest number in the United States. More than half were staying over three months, with men slightly outnumbering women.
• Calif. GOP Chair Calls for More Asian Refugees, page 3. California Republican Party chairman Frank Visco called for the U.S. to accept more Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian refugees following U.N. approval of forced deportations from Southeast Asian refugee camps. He drew a parallel to the U.S. rejection of Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler 50 years earlier.
• Mineta Hails Passage of Hate Crimes Statistics Bill, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta praised House passage of the Hate Crimes Statistics Bill by a 368-47 vote, hoping the Senate would follow suit. The bill would establish a system to collect data on crimes motivated by ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation.
• Japan Tops Britain Investing in U.S.A., page 8. Japan became the largest direct foreign investor in the United States in 1987 with nearly $200 billion in assets, surpassing Britain, according to State Sen. Ralph Dills. Foreign investment was concentrated in California, Texas and New York, with Japanese affiliates ranking fourth in employment despite leading in assets.

Incarceration & Redress

• March and Rally for $500 Million Now in Redress Staged, by Cynthia Takano, page 1. More than 300 marchers rallied through Little Tokyo demanding the government fulfill its year-old redress promise, organized by the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. Speakers including L.A. Councilman Mike Woo and actor Edward James Olmos urged full and prompt funding.
• 17 Japanese Americans Seek Dismissal of Anti-Redress Suit, page 1. A motion was filed by 17 Japanese Americans to dismiss a lawsuit by Arthur Jacobs challenging the constitutionality of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Lead counsel Dennis Hayashi argued Congress had overwhelming evidence supporting redress for Japanese Americans.
• Sacramentans Salute Bob Matsui for Redress Efforts, page 1. At a Sacramento event honoring Rep. Bob Matsui, JACL-LEC chairperson Jerry Enomoto praised his unwavering efforts for redress legislation. Enomoto urged community members to lobby Senate Appropriations Subcommittee members for more adequate redress funding.
• 54,500 Japanese in ’86 Canada Census, page 2. A demographic survey conducted as part of Japanese Canadian redress implementation found approximately 54,500 people identifying Japanese ethnicity in the 1986 Canadian census. The study detailed age structure, education, income, and employment patterns among Japanese Canadians by region and generation.
• Japanese Canadian Redress Community Fund: $12 Million; Issei, Nisei, Sansei Ideas Differ on Use of Funds, by Nikkei Voice, page 2. The National Association of Japanese Canadians surveyed community opinions on priorities for the $12 million community fund from the Redress package, finding seniors’ housing as the top priority overall. Generational and regional differences emerged, with Sansei favoring cultural activities and Issei favoring community centers.
• Justice Can’t Wait, page 6. This reprinted Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial criticizes Congress and the Bush administration for inadequate redress funding despite the 1988 Civil Liberties Act promise. It cites JACL President Cressey Nakagawa’s call for $320 million to ensure elderly survivors receive payments before they die.
• What It Took for the House to Pass Additional $30 Million to Its ’90 Redress Appropriation Bill, by Ed Matovik, page 8. A detailed account describes the dramatic House Appropriations Committee debate over increasing redress funding, featuring competing amendments from Reps. Fazio, Smith, Yates and ultimately a compromise by Rep. Steny Hoyer. The final $30 million increase was approved by taking funds from the Census Bureau budget after emotional speeches from both supporters and opponents.

Community

• L.A. Labor to Honor UCLA’s Nakanishi, page 1. Los Angeles labor leaders will honor UCLA Professor Don Nakanishi for winning tenure after a three-year battle, becoming the first Asian American tenured faculty member in the Graduate School of Education. The reception is sponsored by the Alliance of Asian Pacific Labor.
• Sandra Fukushima Named ’89 Nisei Week Queen, page 1. Sandra Fukushima, 19, representing the Orange County Japanese American community, was crowned the 1989 Nisei Week Queen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She is the daughter of Dan Fukushima.
• JACLer to Exhibit Own Origami Pieces in Victoria, page 2. Daniel W. Nakamura, an internationally recognized origami artist and Selanoco JACL member, will feature an exhibit titled ‘The Forms of British Columbia’ at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. He is associated with NASA and resides in Washington, D.C.
• $1,000,000 Grant Awarded to Senior Asian Work Groups, page 3. The National Pacific/Asian Resource Center on Aging in Seattle received a $1,000,000 federal grant to place older low-income Pacific/Asian Americans in community service jobs. Alice Wong will serve as project director in Los Angeles for the California and Oregon program.
• Dr. Carole Fujita Case: Sex Discrimination Dispute with L.A. County-UCLA Medical Center Continues, page 3. Pharmacist Dr. F. Carole Fujita continues her fight against Los Angeles County over sex discrimination and retaliation in promotions, nine years after winning an earlier case. APLDEF attorney John Saito criticized the county for passing her over for promotion despite her top ranking.
• NJAHS Undokai to Help 1990 Women’s Exhibit, page 7. The Women’s Exhibit Committee of the National Japanese American Historical Society is sponsoring the annual NJAHS undokai at the Shibata family’s Mt. Eden Nursery. Peggy Saika of the Asian Law Caucus will serve as mistress of ceremonies, with limited tickets available.
• Luauluau for S.F. NLO’s 14th Anniversary Sept. 9, page 8. Nihonmachi Legal Outreach is celebrating its 14th anniversary with a Hawaiian-themed fundraiser featuring food and entertainment. The event supports the organization’s community legal services and referrals.
• Stephen Nakashima Appointed to UC Regents, page 9. Stephen Nakashima, a San Jose attorney and active West Valley JACL member, was appointed by Governor Deukmejian to the Regents of the University of California. His term as regent will expire in March 1992.
• Dr. Francis Nakano Named Region A Superintendent, page 9. Dr. Francis Nakano, known for turning around Jefferson High School, was appointed superintendent of the new LAUSD Region A covering the Harbor area. He succeeds Dr. Sid Brickman and has a strong record of educational leadership and recognition.
• JCCCNC Award Dinner to Honor Six Leaders, page 10. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California’s fourth annual Awards Dinner will honor six Bay Area individuals including Ruth Asawa and Chizu Iiyama. Yori Wada will again serve as toastmaster for the event at the Hyatt on Union Square.

Military & Veterans

• JACLers with Gen. Mukoyama, page 1. Brig. Gen. James Mukoyama, Jr., addressed the Japanese American Veterans Recognition Banquet in Chicago, thanking Issei and Nisei veterans for their sacrifices. He was joined by Cressey Nakagawa, Grayce Uyehara and Henry Tanaka.
• 1990 AJA Veterans Reunion Plans in Kailua-Kona Set; Kona Heroes to Be Cited, page 2. The 15th National AJA Veterans Reunion will be held in Kailua-Kona in June 1990, honoring two local heroes, Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Rodney Yano and astronaut Col. Ellison Onizuka. Arrangements include four host hotels, banquets, tours and a golf tournament.
• Sue Kunitomi Embrey Receives Ellison Onizuka Memorial Award from NEA for Pushing Education for Asians, page 8. The National Education Association honored Sue Kunitomi Embrey, a Manzanar pilgrimage leader and LAUSD adult education teacher, for her work promoting multicultural understanding and equal opportunity. She successfully lobbied for state landmark status for the former Manzanar internment camp.
• Fred Hoshiyama Inducted into YMCA Hall of Fame, page 9. Fred Y. Hoshiyama became the first Japanese American inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College, recognizing his decades of service with the YMCA including work during his internment at Topaz. He later held national leadership roles with YMCA programs serving youth.

JACL

• JACL EDC/MDC Elect New Governors, page 1. Grayce K. Uyehara and Henry Tanaka were elected governors of the Eastern and Midwest district councils respectively and sworn in at the Tri-District convention banquet in Chicago. National JACL President Cressey Nakagawa installed the new officers before a crowd of about 350 attendees.
• Washington Agenda, by Bill Yoshino, page 5. Bill Yoshino recounts a June visit to Washington, D.C. with JACL leaders to meet officials from the Census Bureau, ORA, Smithsonian, and numerous congressional offices. The trip aimed to introduce new Washington representative Paul Igasaki to key contacts important to JACL’s advocacy work.
• JACL Packet from National: Position Statements, Copies of Pertinent Reports, Memo of Events Distributed to Nat’l Board-Staff, page 6. National JACL distributed position statements on immigration, census, and hate crimes legislation to the National Board and staff, along with news clippings and updates on redress funding efforts. The packet also announced upcoming JACL events including a Youth Council meeting and Corporate Dinner.

Sports

• Orange County JACL Athletes Capture 12th Straight Nisei Relays Championship, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. Orange County JACL won its 12th consecutive Pacific Southwest JACL Nisei Relays championship, scoring 574 points ahead of Gardena Valley and Venice Culver. The meet was moved to coincide with the PANA Convention, allowing U.S. Sansei athletes to mingle with Latin American counterparts.

Commentary

• The Three Sailors from Japan, page 4. This editorial reflects on the historical significance of the 1833 arrival of three shipwrecked Japanese sailors near Neah Bay, Washington, marking an early link between Japan and North America. It notes the recent dedication of a monument at Fort Vancouver commemorating the event.
• Letters to the Editor, by Various, page 4. Multiple readers wrote in on topics including criticism of Ujifusa’s articles on NCRR, self-evaluation on anti-Asian attitudes, concerns about redress form wording, and calls for separating news from editorial opinion. Writers included Bruce Akizuki, Mark Sakura, Raymond Kaneko, and Mas Odoi.
• Old Letters: A Future Treasure?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the value of personal wartime correspondence after learning that collections of internment-era letters sold for thousands of dollars at auction. He urges readers with similar historical materials to preserve or sell them for historical research rather than letting them disappear.
• Unspoken Caste System, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani explores the history and continuing effects of discrimination against burakumin in Japan, tracing its origins to Shinto beliefs about pollution and the Edo-period caste system. Despite a 1969 law aimed at eradicating discrimination, disparities and denial persist in various regions of Japan.
• English in Japanese Life, by Jin Konomi, page 5. Jin Konomi examines the pervasive borrowing and adaptation of English words into modern Japanese, from business names to coined terms like ‘pipe cut’ and ‘margin mix.’ He contrasts this trend with the example of scholar Donald Keene, who lectured fluently in pure Japanese, suggesting the Anglification of Japanese is likely irreversible.
• Budget Cuts Could Hurt APA Families, by Kazue Shibata, page 5. Kazue Shibata warns that California’s 1989-90 budget cuts to family planning and primary health care will severely impact Asian Pacific community clinics in Los Angeles County. She calls on readers to contact legislators to restore funding for these vital bilingual/bicultural health services.
• Fun in Chicago, by George Johnston, page 5. George Johnston recounts his experience covering the JACL Tri-District Convention in Chicago, including a P.C. workshop addressing reader complaints about late delivery. He also shares personal anecdotes about meeting fellow JACL members with shared backgrounds and karate interests.

Obituaries

• Elizabeth Humbargar: Veteran Teacher Dead at 86, by Richard Ha, page 7. Elizabeth M. Humbargar, a longtime Stockton High School teacher who publicly supported Japanese Americans during WWII internment, died at age 86. She helped students in assembly centers, smuggled food to internees, and was later honored by the Japanese government with the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
• Judge Donald S. Voorhees, Who Overturned Hirabayashi Conviction, Dies at 72, page 10. U.S. District Court Judge Donald S. Voorhees, who overturned Gordon Hirabayashi’s wartime conviction in 1983 after finding the government suppressed evidence, died following a stroke. He was also known for overturning an anti-busing initiative in Washington state in 1979.
• Raymond Okamura Dies in Boating Accident, page 10. Raymond Okamura, a Houston JACL 1000 Club member and architect, died in a boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico while fishing. A memorial fund was established by his parents for scholarships administered by the Houston JACL.

Arts & Entertainment

• KSCI-TV Program to Feature L.A.’s Nisei Week, page 10. A new monthly television program called ‘KSCI to Eye’ will debut featuring Southern California’s Asian American population, starting with coverage of the 49th annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival. Future episodes will cover stereotyping in advertising and other community events.

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