Redress regulations and a rally debate, July 1989

Vol. 109, No. 1, July 7, 1989. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress was the main subject of this issue. On the front page, JACL-LEC strategy chair Grant Ujifusa said a public money rally was now a bad idea, since the appropriations process was being handled quietly through direct lobbying of key members of Congress. JACL and JACL-LEC also urged a federal court to dismiss Jacobs v. Thornburgh, a suit against the redress program, and submitted detailed comments on the proposed regulations for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Jerry Enomoto and JoAnne H. Kagiwada set out seven areas of concern on page 7. An editorial on page 4 and a Jack Herzig column on page 4 returned to the same themes.

Elsewhere, the front page carried Buddhist memorial rites for 442nd war dead in Europe and a monument to shipwrecked Japanese sailors at Fort Vancouver. Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani and Shigeya Kihara, news of the Pan American Nikkei Association convention, and chapter scholarship and convention notices from around JACL.

What’s in this issue

National

Ujifusa Says Money Rally Now a Bad Idea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL-LEC strategy chair Grant Ujifusa responded to a proposal for redress rallies demanding appropriations by saying public demonstrations would be counterproductive. He explained that the appropriations process is being handled quietly through direct lobbying of key congressional committee members, and that negative mail could jeopardize progress.
Lon Hatamiya to Run for California Assembly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Lon Hatamiya announced his candidacy for the California state Assembly’s 3rd District seat in the 1990 election. He is endorsed by U.S. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui and Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy, and is also president of the Sacramento JACL chapter.
House Republicans Condemn U.S. Colleges on Quotas for Asian American Students, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Duncan Hunter and other Republican members introduced a sense of Congress resolution condemning colleges for allegedly using quotas to limit Asian American enrollment. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is currently reviewing Harvard and UCLA for possible discrimination against Asian students.
Asian American Diversity Viewed as Political Hindrance, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A New York Times report found that Asian Americans on the West Coast have yet to achieve political power matching their population growth due to diverse nationalities, languages, and historic divisions. However, unity has emerged on specific issues like opposing Dan Lungren’s nomination and Census Bureau ethnicity classifications.
Time Magazine Prints JACL Director’s Letter, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Time magazine printed a corrective letter from National JACL Director Bill Yoshino noting that although redress legislation was signed in August 1988, no eligible individual had yet received payment. Yoshino emphasized that Congress must appropriate the necessary funding to complete the remedy.

Community

Aug. 1 Set as Commemoration for 19th Century Shipwrecked Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A monument honoring three shipwrecked Japanese sailors who were the first known Japanese to set foot on the continental U.S. in 1833 will be dedicated at Fort Vancouver, Wash. on Aug. 1. The ceremony, a Washington State Centennial event, will feature speeches from Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard, Gov. Toshitami Kaihara of Hyogo Prefecture, and National JACL President Cressy Nakagawa.
Seattle Japanese Teacher Wounded by BB-Gun, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Aiko Suganuma, 44, a Japanese language school teacher, was shot between the eyes with a BB gun while coaching students on a Seattle soccer field and underwent surgery. Police found no racial motive, though some in the Japanese nationals community expressed concern over possible racial harassment.
JACL, ADL and SCLC Engage in Dialogue, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives from the Anti-Defamation League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and JACL held a dialogue titled ‘Building for Tomorrow’ at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Speakers Andrew Cushnir and Dr. Mark Ridley-Thomas discussed their organizations’ missions, funding, and generational transitions.
Greater Portland Area Nikkei Opens Campaign for J.A. Historical Garden in Waterfront Park, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oregon Nikkei Endowment announced a kickoff dinner to raise support and funds for a Japanese American Historical Garden in Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park, designed by landscape architect Robert Murase. The $1.25 million garden will feature bronze plaques commemorating Issei contributions, Nikkei military service, wartime evacuation, and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
Pan American Nikkei Assn.’s 5th Convention Set for July 20-23; 200 from Latin America Due, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The fifth PANA convention will be hosted in Los Angeles at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, drawing roughly 200 delegates from Latin American countries including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Paraguay. PANA President Carlos Kasuga expressed concern over weak support from JACL and North American Nikkei, while the program includes seminars, tours, a golf tournament, and a Sayonara banquet.
Oakland’s New Federal Building Named ‘Frank Ogawa Plaza’, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Oakland City Councilmember Frank H. Ogawa, the first Nisei elected to a major Northern California city council, will have the city’s new Federal Building plaza named in his honor. Ogawa has served on the council since 1966 and is active in numerous community organizations including JACL.
Joint Portland JACL and Nikkei Community Banquet Honors Local High School Graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Portland JACL and Nikkei community held their annual graduation banquet attended by over 268 people, with ten Nikkei organizations awarding scholarships to deserving high school graduates. Byron Kunisawa of the San Francisco Multi-Cultural Training Resource Center was the evening’s speaker.
Nisei Week Scholarship Applications Now Due, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Nisei Week Japanese Festival scholarship for continuing sophomores and juniors emphasizes commitment to the Japanese American community. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 19.
French Camp JACL Annual Community Bazaar July 22 at Community Hall to Benefit Center, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The French Camp JACL’s annual community bazaar will take place July 22 at the local Japanese Community Hall, featuring food booths, game booths, and bingo. Proceeds will benefit the French Camp Community Center.
Nikkei Leadership Assn. JACL Treats Minority Skid Row Kids to Game, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Nikkei Leadership Association chapter of JACL sponsored children from Para Los Ninos, a downtown Los Angeles child care center, to attend a Dodgers game on Father’s Day. The Dodgers organization provided complimentary caps and calendars for the children.
Final Isleton Reunion Scheduled Sept. 2, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The third and final Isleton Reunion, honoring the former thriving Japanese farming community on the Sacramento River delta, will be held Sept. 2 in Sacramento. The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner, program honoring Issei guests, and entertainment.

Military & Veterans

Buddhist Rites Held for 442nd War Dead in Europe, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bishop Seigen Yamaoka led the first Buddhist memorial service for Nisei GIs interred in European cemeteries, commemorating 442nd war dead during 45th anniversary ceremonies of the liberation of Bruyeres and Biffontaine. The tour, coordinated by Rudy Tokiwa, highlighted that many Buddhist soldiers’ dog tags had incorrectly listed them as Protestant.
Go For Broke NVA Notes Redress Regs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka of the Go For Broke National Veterans Association called for speedy resolution of the Civil Liberties Act and urged that all affected families receive a formal apology, not just survivors as of Aug. 10, 1988. He criticized proposed bureaucratic procedures as unnecessary given the decades since the wartime evacuation.
CBS Hibakusha Team Doctors Honored; Nearly 300 Examined in June-July Visits, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. James Tsujimura and Dr. Ruby Inoue were honored with certificates from the Hiroshima Prefecture Medical Association for their longtime work assisting in medical examinations of hibakusha, atomic bomb survivors. Nearly 300 hibakusha were examined this year across San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Honolulu as part of the seventh annual series since 1977.
Go For Broke Nat’l Veterans Elect Bill Marutani Assn Pres., by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Go For Broke National Veterans Association elected William Marutani of Philadelphia as president at its inaugural conference in Reno, Nevada. Marutani, a WWII MIS veteran and former CWRIC commissioner, will lead a full slate of elected national officers including Mike Masaoka and Paul Bannai.

Incarceration & Redress

JACL and JACL-LEC Urge Court to Dismiss Anti-Redress Suit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL and JACL-LEC filed a brief urging a federal court to dismiss Jacobs v. Thornburgh, a lawsuit seeking to declare the redress program unconstitutional. Lead counsel John Nakahata and LEC officials argued the suit lacks merit and expressed confidence the court will uphold the redress program.
JACL-LEC Submits Changes in Detail to Proposed Redress Act Regulations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL-LEC developed detailed comments on the Office of Redress Administration’s proposed regulations implementing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, following a June board meeting with ORA present. Strategy chair Grant Ujifusa emphasized that the specific regulatory language, not just the act itself, determines the real-world impact of redress for Japanese Americans.
Anti-Redress Veterans Tax Status Checked, by P.C. Staff, page 3. In response to a query from Jack Herzig, the IRS confirmed it has no record of the American War Veterans Relief Association (formerly Veterans United) being tax exempt. The IRS apologized for any inconvenience caused by the lack of records.
Seven Areas of Major Concern Cited in JACL-LEC Review of Regulations, by Jerry Enomoto and JoAnne H. Kagiwada, page 7. JACL-LEC submitted detailed comments to the Department of Justice outlining seven major concerns with proposed redress regulations, including confusing eligibility dates, burdensome documentation requirements, and excessive layers of approval before payment. The letter urges regulations that are clear, fair, and minimize administrative delay for aging and disabled eligible individuals.
Presbyterian Church Urges Speedy Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The 1989 Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly urged President Bush and Congress to maximize appropriations for redress. The action was preceded by a presentation of 1,000 origami cranes folded by members of 18 Japanese Presbyterian congregations.

Arts & Entertainment

Television Shines Its Spotlight on Internment, by Cynthia Takano, page 2. Ubu Productions is developing a TV movie based on Aiko Yoshinaga’s life, from her teenage internment to her discovery of a key document that helped pave the way for redress legislation. Playwright Philip Kan Gotanda is writing the teleplay, with Yoshinaga and her husband Jack Herzig serving as technical advisors to ensure historical accuracy.
Fire Destroys Collection of Nakashima Woodwork, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A fire sparked by a plumber’s torch destroyed a Princeton, N.J. house containing 112 pieces of furniture by renowned woodworker George Nakashima, a JACL Biennium honoree. Only two pieces survived because they were on loan to an American Craft Museum retrospective exhibit.

Obituaries

Karl Bendetsen, Designer of Evacuation, Was 81, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Karl Bendetsen, a chief architect of the WWII Japanese American internment program, died of a heart attack at his Washington home. He later became a Champion International executive and served in the Truman administration, and in 1981 testified before CWRIC that he did not believe the internment decision was a mistake.
George Torao Isoda, 78, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Funeral services were held for George Torao Isoda, 78, a longtime Venice-Culver JACL member and 32-year 1000 Club member, who died July 2 at Washington Medical Center. He is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law.

In-Depth

Mei Nakano’s New Book on Nikkei Women 1885-1990 to Accompany NJAHS Exhibit, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Author Mei Nakano’s book ‘Strength and Diversity: Japanese American Women 1885-1990’ will accompany the National Japanese American Historical Society’s Women’s Exhibit. The book explores how Nisei, Issei, and Sansei women experienced and overcame racism and sexism across three generations.

Sports

Nisei Week Car Show to Feature ’90 Models, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The second annual Nisei Week car show, chaired by Chris Naito, will be held Aug. 13 near the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and will feature 1990 model cars alongside custom and classic vehicles. Entry applications are being accepted for several competition classes.
12-Year-Old in Winning Pair of S.J. Tennis Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The San Jose JACL doubles tennis tournament attracted a record 52 teams, with 12-year-old Shingo Hashimoto, paired with Kosuke Hashimoto, taking first place in the Men’s C category. Tournament director Sayeko Nakamura announced winners across multiple divisions.

Commentary

A Reminder of Time’s Swift Passage, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial reflects on the death of Karl Bendetsen, one of the last key figures involved in the WWII Japanese American evacuation, noting that DeWitt, Roosevelt, and McCloy have also died. It argues that Congress must not delay appropriating redress payments, since survivors of the evacuation are dying every month.
T Bone and Wish Bone, by Shigeya Kihara, page 4. This column recounts the story of two Chinese boys, nicknamed ‘T Bone’ and ‘Wish Bone,’ adopted as mascots by MIS language men processing Japanese POWs in the Philippines after WWII. Decades later, letters revealed both boys survived, returned to China, and reconnected with their old American friends after being reunited with their families.
Death and Taxes, by Bill Marutani, page 4. This East Wind column examines Japanese inheritance tax law as it applies to the imperial family following Emperor Hirohito’s death, explaining how assets will pass to Empress Dowager and Emperor Akihito. It also discusses the history of the imperial family’s wealth and its confiscation after WWII.
Radio Japan-NHK, by John Yamada, page 4. A reader from Seattle asks the Pacific Citizen to print shortwave radio frequencies for Japanese language broadcasts for his elderly mother. The response provides the summertime frequencies and times for Radio Japan broadcasts to North, Central and South American listeners.
PANA’s Call, by Carlos Kasuga O., page 4. PANA president Carlos Kasuga expresses concern over poor attendance by JACL and North American Nikkei at the upcoming Fifth Pan American Nikkei Association Convention in Los Angeles. He urges Pacific Citizen readers to support the convention to avoid disappointing Latin American Nikkei who are making great efforts and expense to attend.
OPM’s Runaround, by Jack Herzig, page 4. The writer describes months of frustrating correspondence with the Office of Personnel Management over implementation of a Civil Liberties Act provision allowing restitution of federal jobs lost due to wartime discrimination. He asks former suspended federal employees to contact him with details of their cases to help pursue the issue.
The End of Conspicuous Consumption, by Tsuko Teruoka, page 5. This Japanese press translation column criticizes Japan’s culture of conspicuous consumption, luxury spending, and corporate corruption amid inadequate social safety nets, overwork, and poor living conditions. The author contrasts this with West Germany, where shorter work hours, strong social services, and community infrastructure provide greater quality of life despite comparable wealth.
Plan to Attend! JACL Singles Convention, by Kaz Mayemura, page 5. This column promotes the 4th National JACL Singles Convention set for Labor Day Weekend 1989 at the Marriott Hotel in Torrance, California. It encourages singles to register for the event featuring various activities near beaches and entertainment venues.
Emerging Patterns, by Hank Tanaka, page 5. This Long Range Planning column summarizes prioritized goals from JACL district workshops, including relocating National Headquarters to Washington, D.C., revamping governance for continuity, and increasing political participation. More workshops and a membership opinion survey are planned to further shape JACL’s strategic future.
Japan’s Burger King? Makudonarudo’s Fujita, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. This column profiles Den Fujita, who built a 600-restaurant McDonald’s franchise empire in Japan through aggressive marketing targeting children and rapid construction methods. Fujita imports vast quantities of American potatoes, largely from Idaho, for his restaurants’ French fries.

JACL

JACL Recognized at Civil Rights Act Anniversary Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL was honored for its dedication to civil rights at a June 14 Los Angeles conference marking the 25th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. John Saito, regional director of the Pacific Southwest District Council, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
San Gabriel Valley JACL Awards 18 H.S. Graduates Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 8. San Gabriel Valley JACL awarded scholarships to 18 students from 12 high schools after rigorous competition this year. Chapter President Dent T. Uejima announced winners of various named memorial scholarships.
Chicago JACL Set to Stage EDC-MDC-MPDC Tri-District Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Eastern, Midwest, and Mountain Plains District Councils will hold their 1989 Tri-District Convention in Chicago Aug. 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency, themed ‘Priorities for Progress.’ Workshops will cover leadership development, aging, coalition building, and combatting racial violence, with Gen. James Mukoyama among honored guests at the banquet.
Mike Masaoka Plans to Visit JACL Confabs in Chicago and Utah, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Mike Masaoka, recovering from a mild heart attack suffered in Hawaii, plans to attend two major regional JACL conventions in August to promote his book ‘They Call Me Moses Masaoka.’ He will visit the Tri-District Conference in Chicago and the IDC-PNWDC Joint District Conference in Park City, Utah.
Hawaii Gov. Waihee to Keynote LEAP’s Leadership Award Fete July 18 at Biltmore, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Hawaii Gov. John Waihee III will deliver the keynote address at LEAP’s 1989 Leadership Awards dinner in Los Angeles, honoring Irene Kwan Chu, David Hyun, and the late Masamori Kojima. Proceeds will support LEAP’s leadership development programs for Asian Pacific Americans.

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