Vol. 108, No. 6, February 17, 1989. 8 pages. View this issue
A Los Angeles conference on Asian Pacific Americans in higher education led the front page, with Laurie Mochidome reporting on the call for more Asian American faculty and administrators in the UC, CSU and community college systems. The front page also carried plans for the Los Angeles Day of Remembrance on Feb. 19, marking Executive Order 9066, with Rep. Robert Matsui among the speakers. Another story covered Matsui’s criticism of President Bush for not directly addressing redress funding in his budget proposal. The JACL National Board’s chosen method for researching Seattle Chapter Resolution #7 was reported as well.
The opinion page ran letters on reconciliation, including one from Clifford Uyeda, along with columns by Bill Hosokawa on errors about the Nisei and Bill Marutani on Japan’s fingerprint law. Page 5 collected chapter installation dinners from West Valley, San Jose and Monterey Peninsula, and an announcement of a Reno tri-district meeting. Elsewhere: Kristi Yamaguchi’s skating results and Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita’s visit to the Keiro retirement home.
What’s in this issue
National
- Education Conference Finds More APAs Needed in Higher Education, by Laurie Mochidome, page 1. A Los Angeles conference examined barriers to Asian Pacific American progress in higher education, highlighting the underrepresentation of Asian Americans among faculty and administrators in UC, CSU and community college systems. Speakers including Dr. Bob Suzuki and Warren Furutani discussed the ‘model minority myth’ and the need for more Asian American counselors, faculty diversity, and mentoring programs.
- Matsui, Bratt to Speak at L.A. Day of Remembrance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Robert Matsui will speak at the Los Angeles Day of Remembrance on Feb. 19 commemorating the signing of Executive Order 9066. Justice Department officials James P. Turner and Robert Bratt will also speak at the event organized by NCRR and JACL chapters.
- JABA Supports Assault Weapon Prohibitions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese American Bar Association voted unanimously to support legislation banning military assault weapons, including California’s S.B. 292. JABA stated that such weapons contribute to racially motivated violence, citing the Stockton shooting of Indochinese American children.
- Ishikawa Pleads Guilty, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kevin Ishikawa, son of Superior Court Judge Richard Ishikawa, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and income tax evasion in federal court in Seattle. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine after being accused of defrauding a bank and owing back taxes.
- 130-Page Final Report Released: Anti-Asian Hostility Affecting Communities in California Analyzed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Attorney General’s Asian/Pacific Islander Advisory Committee released a 130-page report analyzing anti-Asian sentiment, hate crimes, and civil rights issues affecting the community. The report recommends crime prevention programs, community/police partnerships, and legislation to document hate crimes statistically.
- Mineta Criticizes Supreme Court Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta criticized the Supreme Court’s decision striking down Richmond, Virginia’s affirmative action minority set-aside program for construction contracting. Mineta argued the ruling ignores systemic racial discrimination and will hurt cities trying to remedy historical bias.
Incarceration & Redress
- Bush Silent on Redress Money, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Robert Matsui criticized President Bush for failing to directly address redress funding in his budget proposal, fearing he may support the Reagan-era figure of $20 million. Matsui and JACL-LEC Strategy Chair Grant Ujifusa met with Sen. Daniel Inouye to discuss strategy for the funding battle in Congress.
JACL
- Method for Research on Resolution #7 Picked by National Board, by George Johnston, page 1. The JACL National Board chose a research direction for examining a controversial Seattle Chapter resolution seeking apology for JACL actions during WWII evacuation and incarceration. The board outlined specific research questions and methodology, including a presidential select committee, at an estimated cost of $3,700.
- West Valley JACL Holds Installation Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL President Cressey Nakagawa spoke at the West Valley Chapter’s 1989 installation dinner/dance at NAS Moffett Field, addressing redress status and discrimination issues. Judge Taketsugu Takei installed new officers headed by President John Kaku.
- San Jose Elects Leon Kimura President, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Jose JACL elected Leon Kimura as president for the coming year at its annual membership meeting held Nov. 4, preceded by a potluck supper. Helen Mineta and Kay Ono chaired the event.
- Reno to Host Tri-District Event, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The three California JACL district council meeting will be hosted by Placer County JACL April 21-23 at the Peppermill Hotel/Casino in Reno. A mixer is planned for Friday evening with forums and workshops Saturday morning.
Community
- Three Time Salinas Mayor Henry Hibino Installed as New Salinas Valley JACL President, by Fred K. Oshima, page 2. Former Salinas mayor Henry Hibino was sworn in for the third time as president of Salinas Valley JACL at the chapter’s annual installation dinner. Monterey County Administrator Ernie Morishita served as keynote speaker, discussing increasing Nisei and Sansei involvement in county government.
- Japanese American Celebration at UCLA, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The UCLA Nikkei Student Union is presenting its Third Annual Japanese American Cultural Celebration, a week-long series of events Feb. 18-24 featuring films, forums, and a cultural art exhibition. Speakers include Yuji Ichioka, Frank Emi, and actor George Takei.
- Applications for APAEC Membership Now Available, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Applications are being accepted through March 31 for membership on the Asian/Pacific American Education Commission of the Los Angeles City Board of Education. Commission members serve two-year terms advising on educational programs affecting Asian and Pacific Islander students.
- Japanese Prime Minister Visits Keiro Retirement Home, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita visited the Keiro Japanese Retirement Home in Los Angeles during his U.S. visit, presenting a personal gift of one million yen to the home’s building fund. Keiro board members George Aratani and Fred Wada received the donation.
- Honoring Ichioka at Little Tokyo Library Luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Yuji Ichioka, author of The Issei: The World of the First Generation Japanese Immigrants, will be honored at the 5th Annual Author Recognition Luncheon hosted by the Friends of the Little Tokyo Public Library Services. The event takes place Feb. 18 at Centenary United Methodist Church.
- SCAN/NLA Gather Toys for Cancer Patients, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Toys were collected for children at Ronald McDonald House in Hollywood at the third annual SCAN/NLA joint installation dinner. Nan Takahashi and Joe Soong are the 1989 presidents of the respective organizations.
Obituaries
- Jim Satoru Sasaki, Lodi Grower-Shipper, Dies at 71, page 2. Jim Satoru Sasaki, a Lodi grower-shipper posthumously named Lodi Chamber of Commerce agribusinessman of the year, died Jan. 10 at age 71. He served as a school district trustee for 16 years and was active in numerous community organizations including the Buddhist Churches of America and Boy Scouts.
Arts & Entertainment
- Screening by Visual Communications Set for March 12, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A benefit screening of Pak Bueng on Fire, an award-winning film by Bangkok native Supachai Surongsain, is scheduled for March 12 at the Los Feliz Theater. The film follows two Thai immigrants striving to achieve their dreams in Los Angeles and explores cultural adjustment issues.
- Benefit Performance of Hiroshima’s ‘Sansei’ March 11, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and Edmund Edelman will serve as honorary chairs for a gala benefit performance of Sansei at the Mark Taper Forum, created by the band Hiroshima. The evening includes a tree presentation from Hiroshima, Japan, a mural unveiling, and proceeds benefiting the Pacific Cultural Fund 2000.
Sports
- Figure Skater Kristi Yamaguchi Wows Crowd at Baltimore Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kristi Yamaguchi of Fremont, Calif. finished second in women’s individual competition and first in senior pairs with partner Rudi Galindo at the U.S. figure skating championships. She will represent the U.S. at the world championships in Paris next month.
Commentary
- Enlightened Self-Interest, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial discusses the persistence of inaccuracies about the Japanese American WWII experience appearing in print despite accurate historical documentation being available. It argues the only remedy is the tedious process of responding with the truth whenever errors arise, done in the name of truth and fairness.
- Spirit of Reconciliation, by Ann Tsuda, page 4. A letter to the editor praises Chester Tanaka’s earlier letter on reconciliation as a poignant message for the Japanese American community. The writer urges spreading this message of reconciliation to others.
- Spirit of Reconciliation II, by Clifford Uyeda, page 4. A letter responding to Chester Tanaka’s letter argues that JACL, as the representative body of Japanese Americans, must acknowledge wartime wrongs just as the U.S. government did through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The writer states Japanese Americans would like to be proud of JACL for acknowledging the truth.
- Japanese Need to Wise Up, by Hashime Saito, page 4. A letter references Professor Minabe’s article and a prediction that Japan will suffer a major stock market crash due to taking advantage of others for personal gain. The writer suggests Japan should return to its Oriental spiritually-based way of life.
- Redress Money Wishes, by S. Tanaka, page 4. A letter reflects on Executive Order 9066 as an act of infamy comparing it to the ostracism of the burakumin and ghettoization of Jews. The writer suggests Nisei build a monument honoring these groups and using redress funds to forgive the rest and cherish life.
- Any Evacuation Unjustified, by Taro J. Kawakami, page 4. A letter argues that any wartime evacuation based on racial origin would have been wrong, using a hypothetical about German and Italian ancestry Americans to illustrate the point. The writer condemns FDR for issuing Executive Order 9066, calling him ‘The Great Discriminator.’
- Errors of Ignorance Hurt Nonetheless, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa’s column criticizes a Denver Post TV listing description of the documentary ‘The Color of Honor’ that inaccurately claimed some Japanese Americans became spies during WWII. He argues such errors, though likely unintentional, perpetuate harmful myths about Nisei loyalty and American identity.
- Fingerprint Update, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani’s column provides an update on Japan’s fingerprint law requiring resident aliens, mostly Koreans, to carry registration cards with fingerprints. He discusses government attempts to modify the law amid opposition, including the case of American missionary Rev. Ronald Fujiyoshi who refused fingerprinting.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Navy Captain Speaks at Monterey Peninsula Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Capt. Gordon Nakagawa, a faculty member at the U.S. Navy Post-Graduate School and former Vietnam POW, was the keynote speaker at the Monterey Peninsula JACL installation dinner. Rick H. West is the 1989 chapter president.
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