Redress hearings and the Supreme Court wartime cases

Vol. 93, No. 15, October 9, 1981. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page of this issue turned to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings, as they drew to a close. Testimony centered on the Hirabayashi, Yasui and Korematsu decisions, with Commissioner Arthur Goldberg questioning witnesses including Gordon Hirabayashi and Lillian Baker. Inside, Angus MacBeth was named special counsel to the commission, and columns by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, Bob Shimabukuro and Bill Marutani took up redress and the Aleut people. The front page also reported that a Sansei born in a concentration camp, executive director of the Little Tokyo Service Center in Los Angeles, was named to the U.S. board of Amnesty International.

Also worth finding: Harry Honda’s Editor’s Desk on the paper’s subscription policy, Bill Hosokawa’s memories of Alaskan cannery work, and Ron Wakabayashi’s tribute to Nisei women. A review of East West Players’ “Station J,” chapter news from Ventura, Monterey, Marin and Riverside, and short reports on Japan fill the later pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Sansei Named to U.S. Board of Amnesty International, page 1. A 37-year-old Sansei community worker, executive director of the Little Tokyo Service Center in Los Angeles, was named to the U.S. board of Amnesty International. Born in a concentration camp, Watanabe hopes to raise awareness among Asian Americans about the organization’s human rights work.
• L.B. Mayor Sato Mugged Again, page 1. Long Beach Mayor Sato was the victim of another mugging incident, this time occurring around 4 a.m. according to police. She noted that at least she was in her car during the attack, while the perpetrator was in the open.
• Library Bid for Nikkei Collection Hits Snag, page 8. A U.S. art dealer in Tokyo claims Japan’s National Diet Library is attempting to avoid paying him a commission for brokering the sale of a valuable collection of books on Japanese and Asian immigrants in the U.S. The dispute arose after the library reportedly dealt directly with collection owner Yoshio Kishi of New York.
• Sunken Czarist Ship Yielding No Treasure, page 8. A year-long salvage operation off Tsushima Island to raise a sunken Czarist cruiser from the Russo-Japanese War has yielded no treasure, only minor items like brass spoons and ammunition. The operation, expected to cost over 7 billion yen, is sponsored by the Japan Shipbuilding Foundation under Ryoichi Sasakawa.

Incarceration & Redress

• Supreme Court’s Actions on Evacuation a Major Concern of Many Before CWRIC, page 1. As CWRIC hearings draw to a close, the article reviews testimony regarding the Supreme Court decisions in Hirabayashi, Yasui and Korematsu cases that upheld the wartime exclusion and detention of Japanese Americans. Commissioner Arthur Goldberg engaged in extended dialogue with witnesses including Gordon Hirabayashi and Lillian Baker about whether the rulings remain valid law and whether Congress or the courts could provide remedies.
• Angus MacBeth Named CWRIC Special Counsel, page 2. Angus MacBeth, a partner in a Washington D.C. law firm with extensive legal and government experience, was named special counsel to the CWRIC. He will immediately begin compiling references on reparation and restitution precedents to advise the commission on redress issues.
• Aleuts Weld Native American and Slavic Traditions, by Rev. Michael Oleksa, page 2. Fr. Oleksa describes the history of the Aleut people under Russian Orthodox mission influence, their cultural flourishing, and the destruction of their churches and property by both Japanese and American forces during WWII. He calls for federal government assistance in locating and returning stolen religious and cultural artifacts and for reparations for the damage suffered by the Aleut people.
• East Wind: Over the Bering Sea, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani recounts his visit to the Pribilof Islands in Alaska, describing Aleut seal harvesting traditions, local culture, and efforts to preserve Aleut language and arts. He reflects on the resilience and dignity of the Aleut people despite high unemployment and historical hardship.

Commentary

• Editor’s Desk: PC Subscription Policy, by Harry Honda, page 1. Harry Honda explains the longstanding JACL policy requiring PC subscriptions to maintain the paper’s 2nd Class mailing privileges, detailing the history of National Council decisions on membership-based subscriptions since 1960. He outlines the actual costs of production and mailing and warns that disrupting the policy could force the PC into a slower, less reliable 3rd Class mailing status.
• Guest Editorial: Escape from the Past, page 3. The editorial discusses challenges facing the Asian American community, urging greater assertiveness, political organizing, and self-sufficiency rather than reliance on government aid. It calls for more public education and research on Asian Pacifics to build credibility and community influence.
• Musubi: Unsung Role, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 4. Wakabayashi pays tribute to his mother and Nisei women generally for their understated but vital contributions to the Japanese American community during and after WWII incarceration. He recalls stories of wartime fear, camp hardships, and the unheralded labor Nisei women performed for community organizations and family survival.
• Cliff’s Corner: Redress, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 4. Uyeda reflects on Judge Takasugi’s bold testimony at the CWRIC hearings and emphasizes that while Japanese Americans know the history of the Evacuation, the broader American public remains largely uninformed. He argues the hearings have been valuable for generating media coverage necessary to build public support for redress legislation.
• Letterbox: Is This to Come?, by Wimpy Hiroto, page 4. Hiroto criticizes infighting between JACL and non-JACL factions over blame for the Evacuation, arguing that Nisei in the 1940s lacked the political power, legal resources, and societal conditions to resist government action. He warns that this internal ‘vendetta’ only serves to distract from the true goals of redress.
• Letterbox: Don’t Laugh, by M. Yamanaka Iseke, page 4. The writer expresses relief that a recent fruit fly infestation was attributed to the Mediterranean Fruit Fly rather than a ‘Japanese Fruit Fly,’ commenting wearily on being blamed for unrelated issues. The brief letter reflects frustration with prejudice faced by Japanese Americans.
• Letterbox: The Mis-informed, by Barry Saiki, page 4. Saiki disagrees with James Oda’s suggestion that Japan should share redress costs, arguing the Evacuation was purely an American decision. He calls on JACL chapters and supporters to actively counter anti-redress letters to editors and better educate the public on the facts of history.
• From Happy Valley: A Sequel: A Joy on Being 84, by Sachi Seko, page 4. Seko recounts visiting her 84-year-old friend who underwent emergency surgery and later recovered at home after a stay in a convalescent facility. The column captures tender, humorous exchanges between the two friends and a joyful homecoming celebration with friends gathered to welcome her back.
• From the Frying Pan: Old Alaskan Cannery Days Recalled, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa recalls his youth working as a ‘guarantee boy’ in Alaskan salmon canneries during the 1920s-30s, describing the grueling work and basic living conditions. He contrasts this history with the modern transformation of the Waterfall cannery into a luxury fishing resort by Hawaii-based investors.
• Speaking Out: Hayakawa’s Backlash Problem, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 5. Shimabukuro criticizes Senator S.I. Hayakawa’s statements that redress claims invite backlash against Japanese Americans, arguing Hayakawa is misinforming the public about the realities of wartime incarceration. He compares Hayakawa’s rhetoric unfavorably to a recent ACLU settlement for Vietnam War protesters, illustrating the relatively small size of proposed redress payments.
• Moshi-Moshi: Kato’s Class, by Jin Konomi, page 8. Konomi reflects on a unique writing class for elderly Japanese women in Berkeley led by former Tokyo teacher Mrs. Mizue Kato, which resulted in a published collection of autobiographies. He praises the project for preserving Issei and early Nisei history and suggests future collections focus on short-story style episodes rather than full-life narratives.

Community

• NBC-TV’s Tom Brokaw to Keynote AAJA Fundraiser, page 3. NBC-TV news anchor Tom Brokaw will serve as keynote speaker for an Asian American Journalists Association fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event aims to support career development for Asian American journalists and students pursuing journalism careers.
• Saburo Muraoka Honored by San Diego, by John Saito, page 6. San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson proclaimed Sept. 26, 1981 as Saburo Muraoka Day, honoring the civic leader at a dinner attended by over 300 people. Muraoka was recognized for his role in establishing the San Diego-Yokohama sister city program, including gifting a Japanese stone lantern now at the San Diego Zoo.
• Ventura JACL in Membership Push, page 6. The Ventura County JACL chapter held a membership and renewal drive meeting featuring guest speaker Warren Furutani discussing ‘The Sansei Experience.’ Dues and registration details were provided for prospective and renewing members.
• Monterey JACL Hall Being Repainted, page 6. Monterey JACL chapter volunteers began cleaning and repainting the chapter hall in late August, including scraping old paint as part of a renovation project. The chapter also hosted a retirement party for George Ouye, former mayor of Marina, and announced an upcoming rummage sale.
• Marin Invitational Volleyball Tourney Set, page 6. The 5th annual Marin JACL-NCWNPDC volleyball tournament was scheduled for Oct. 11 at Terra Linda High School, offering a Sumitomo Bank trophy for first prize. Teams were required to register in advance with fees for additional squads.
• APAAC Seeks Director and Admin Assistant, page 6. Asian Pacific American Advocates of California announced it is hiring an Executive Director and Administrative Assistant for its new Sacramento office opening in January 1982. Salary ranges and application deadlines were provided for both positions.
• AADAP Director Named to California Drug Advisory Post, page 6. Patrick L. Ogawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, was appointed by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown to the State Advisory Board on Drug Problems. Ogawa holds several other positions related to Asian Pacific community health and planning initiatives.
• Asian Women’s Confab Planned in Fresno, page 6. The second annual Central California Asian-Pacific Women’s Conference will be held at CSU Fresno focusing on women’s health, body, mind and spirit. The event will feature workshops, exhibits and lunch.
• 14th Annual Sendai Festival at New Place, page 6. Riverside JACL’s 14th annual Sendai Festival will be held at a new venue, the Canyon Crest Towne Center, featuring Japanese cultural displays, food, and souvenirs. Children’s activities include folktales, origami, and brush painting demonstrations.
• Hobbyist Returns ’47 Ronin’ Sword, page 7. A samurai sword once carried by Yoshida Kanesuke, one of the famed 47 ronin, was returned to its rightful owner, the Sengaku-ji Temple in Tokyo, by collector Gerald Wilda. The sword had been removed in 1946 and was discovered by Wilda at an antique arms show in 1964.
• PC People: Awards, Business, Government, Press Row, page 7. This roundup covers several Japanese American achievements: SFPD officer Rod Nakanishi received a bronze medal of valor; Tommy Izumi was appointed to a Hilton Hotels sales role; Julia Chang Bloch was sworn in as a federal official; and Charles L. Leong was named chairman of the San Francisco Press Club publications committee.
• Aged Population in Japan Increasing, page 8. A Prime Minister’s Office report shows the percentage of Japanese over age 65 nearly doubled from 1947 to 1980, reaching 9.3%. Japan also leads the world in longevity and has over 1,000 centenarians, more than any other country.

Arts & Entertainment

• East West’s ‘Station J’ Theater Review, by P.I., page 3. East West Players’ production ‘Station J’ dramatizes the Shigeta family’s struggles before, during, and after WWII internment, offering an allegory for the broader damage inflicted on outsider groups by political leaders exploiting prejudice. Playwright Richard France, the only non-Asian writer in the EWP season, said he hopes the play reaches Reagan supporters and conservative audiences to illustrate parallels with McCarthyism and other eras of American scapegoating.
• Okinawa Music Group to Perform at UCLA, page 6. The Minoru Miyagi Troupe, featuring 13 dancers and 7 musicians skilled in traditional Okinawan arts, will open the International Dance Series at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The performance marks the troupe’s first U.S. tour, held in cooperation with the Japan Foundation and Asia Society.
• Koto Music Set for Huntington Library, page 7. Koto musician Miss Utashi Kagami of Tokyo will present a program at the Huntington Library’s Japanese house. She is recognized as one of the preeminent koto players in Japan, according to Huntington Library reader Kazuko Sugisaki.

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