Vol. 101, No. 10, September 6, 1985. 8 pages. View this issue
The front page carried a mix of Asian American civil rights news. The Chinese American Citizens Alliance endorsed congressional redress legislation for Japanese Americans interned during World War II. MGM/UA agreed to add a disclaimer to the film Year of the Dragon after protests, and the Chinese groups’ $100 million lawsuit was reported alongside it. Diane Narasaki wrote from the NGO Forum ’85 in Nairobi, and the paper also covered a Boston detective’s suspension after Long Guang Huang’s acquittal.
Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa on the Pan American Nikkei convention in Sao Paulo, Bill Marutani on childhood games, Bob Shimabukuro on a film about actor Yuki Shimoda, and William Hohri on the redress lawsuit. Chizu Iiyama profiled Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki, who worked on public health at Manzanar. Other pages cover plans for a ceremony at the former Minidoka camp, a fundraiser for the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, and the trial date set in the Fumiko Kimura case.
What’s in this issue
National
- Chinese American Organization Endorses Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At its 38th biennial national convention in August, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance passed a resolution supporting congressional redress legislation for Japanese Americans interned during WW2. The resolution, submitted by CACA’s Los Angeles Lodge, was passed on August 9, and the group also backed increased Hong Kong immigration quotas.
- Boston Detective Suspended After Huang Acquittal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Boston police detective Francis Kelly Jr., accused of using excessive force in arresting Chinese immigrant Long Guang Huang, was suspended with pay following Huang’s acquittal on all charges. Mayor Raymond Flynn called the suspension decision appropriate given the court’s ruling.
- MGM/UA Sued Over ‘Year of the Dragon’ Portrayal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Federation of Chinese Organizations of America and Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Assn. filed a $100 million lawsuit against MGM for allegedly libeling Chinese Americans as mafia in the film ‘Year of the Dragon.’ The suit claims the film wrongly implied through organizational names that members trafficked in drugs and organized crime.
- Nairobi Conferees Deplore Status of Women in Asian Countries, by Diane Narasaki, page 1. At the UN Decade for Women NGO Forum ’85 in Nairobi, Asian feminists presented an alternative report detailing worsening conditions for women across Asia due to economic development policies, multinational corporations, and sexual exploitation. Speakers from multiple countries addressed issues including prostitution, population control policies, human rights violations, and women’s organizing efforts to combat these problems.
- Disclaimer Added to ‘Dragon’, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. MGM/UA announced it would add a disclaimer to ‘Year of the Dragon’ stating the film does not depict an actual Asian American community, following protests from community groups in several cities. At a press conference, studio chairman Frank Rothman and councilman Mike Woo discussed the decision and future plans to prevent stereotyping in films.
- Brazil Consul General Explains Why He Snubbed PANA Conference, page 1. Japan’s consul general in Sao Paulo, Rikio Shikima, declined to cooperate with the Pan American Nikkei Assn. convention, citing concerns about a ‘racial element’ and fears that the gathering could be seen as militant or communistic. As a result, Issei participation in the convention was minimal, and U.S. delegate Pat Okura sought clarification from the Japanese ambassador.
- Kimura Case to Go to Trial in October, by Katie Kaori Hayashi, page 6. The trial date for Fumiko Kimura, who attempted parent-child suicide in January and faces murder charges after one child died, was set for October 21 following a pre-trial hearing in Santa Monica. Defense attorney Gerald Klausner argued Kimura’s constitutional rights were violated during police interrogation, while the prosecution maintained she was lucid and understood her rights.
Community
- Fundraiser Planned for JA Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Organizers of the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo are planning a major fundraiser dinner at the Bonaventure Hotel on October 18, featuring Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Miyamura as guest of honor. The event follows passage of a State Senate bill appropriating $750,000 for the museum, which has also received matching funds from the L.A. City Council.
- Controversial Hair Salon Vandalized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JAPSS hair salon in West Hollywood, whose name has drawn protests from Japanese American community groups, was vandalized with a stolen sign and the word ‘baka’ spray-painted on its neon sign. Owner Shuji Kida defended the name and plans to replace the sign, while NCRR plans a protest at the salon on September 14.
- JAM Literary Contest Winners Named, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japantown Art and Media Workshop announced winners of its fifth annual Asian American-Pacific Islander high school literary contest, with prizes awarded in both prose and poetry divisions. Winners included students from McChesney Junior High in Oakland and other Bay Area schools.
Commentary
- Them Were the Days, by Bill Marutani, page 4. In his East Wind column, Bill Marutani reminisces about childhood games and homemade toys from his youth, including hoop rolling, scooters made from roller skates, spool tanks, and homemade kites. He recalls his Issei parents’ frugality and the bicycle he lost when his family was interned in 1942.
- Is Perseverance Everything?, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. In his column, Bob Shimabukuro critiques the documentary ‘Yuki Shimoda: Asian American Actor’ for glossing over the contradictions and racism Shimoda faced in Hollywood rather than confronting them directly. He argues the film turns into an apology for Shimoda rather than a meaningful tribute, failing to provide insight that could benefit younger Asian American actors.
- Redress by Lawsuit, by William Hohri, page 4. In this letter to the editor, William Hohri discusses the class action lawsuit filed in 1983 seeking over $200,000 in individual restitution for Japanese Americans affected by WW2 exclusion and detention. He argues the lawsuit, currently in the U.S. Court of Appeals, represents a valuable alternative avenue for redress alongside JACL’s legislative efforts.
- A Conventional Pleasure, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa reflects on attending the third Pan American Nikkei Association convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil, noting the social function such conventions serve for Nikkei across the Western Hemisphere. He describes the workshop sessions and the language barriers faced by attendees who spoke Portuguese, Spanish, English and Japanese.
- More Misperceptions, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 5. In his Musubi column, Ron Wakabayashi criticizes ‘Year of the Dragon’ for its socially and ethically flawed portrayal of the Chinese American community, arguing it reinforces harmful stereotypes about Asians and devalues Asian life compared to Western life. He calls for more diverse and substantive roles for Asian American actors in media.
In-Depth
- A Lifetime of Helping Others, by Chizu Iiyama, page 5. Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki, who will be honored for her lifetime of humanitarian service, reflects on her career improving public health conditions at Manzanar concentration camp, in postwar Italy, and in Contra Costa County. The article also details her family background, including her feminist grandmother in Japan, and her lifelong commitment to civil rights.
Incarceration & Redress
- Minidoka Site of Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The IDC/PNW bi-district convention in Jackpot, Nevada, themed ‘Return to Minidoka,’ will include a trip to the former camp site for ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of its closure. The ceremony will feature installation of a bronze commemorative plaque and speeches by JACL president Frank Sato and other officials.
Arts & Entertainment
- No Shortage of Topics for ‘Asians Now’, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 6. The Bay Area TV show ‘Asians Now,’ hosted and produced by Serena Chen, has covered Asian American culture and issues for eleven years on KTVU-TV. The article discusses the show’s history, format changes, audience, and the threat posed by FCC deregulation to its continued broadcast.
Sports
- 1,000 Compete in Nisei Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. More than 1,000 bowlers from multiple states and Japan competed in the 8th annual MGM Nisei Invitational Tournament in Reno, Nevada, vying for a prize fund of $19,700. The Dick Kawano Team from Los Angeles won the mixed team event, with other winners named in singles and doubles categories.
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