Korematsu ruling and the CWRIC backlash: November 1983

Vol. 97, No. 21, November 18, 1983. 12 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen led its November 18, 1983 issue with two stories tied to redress. A hearing on the CWRIC findings drew testimony from Hitoshi Kajihara, David Hyun, Alvina Lew and Mark Masaoka about a resurgence of anti-Asian bigotry. Federal Judge Marilyn Hall Patel granted Fred Korematsu’s petition for a writ of error coram nobis, finding the government relied on racist views and suppressed evidence to justify the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Inside, Jon J. Kawamoto profiled Korematsu, and Bill Marutani argued in his column that the CWRIC report alone was not enough redress.

Also in this 12-page issue: coverage of the JACL National Board meeting, with plans for the Aloha ’84 convention and the redress budget, plus Seattle-area election results and three Nikkei journalists honored by the Japanese government. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Japanese family names, and Robert Tokunaga covered historian Ronald Takaki’s book on Hawaii plantation life.

What’s in this issue

National

• Recession, Media Blamed for Resurgence of Anti-Asian Bigotry, page 1. A hearing on the CWRIC findings drew testimony about rising anti-Asian bigotry linked to backlash against redress recommendations, trade imbalances, and media portrayals. Speakers including Hitoshi Kajihara, David Hyun, Alvina Lew, and Mark Masaoka addressed the roots of hostility toward Japanese Americans and Asian immigrants.
• Results Mixed for Asian Issues, Candidates, page 1. Seattle-area elections on Nov. 8 brought mixed results for Asian American candidates, with Mike Lowry losing his Senate bid while Lloyd Hara and Dolores Sibonga won re-election. San Francisco voters approved a measure urging Congress to limit multilingual ballot requirements.
• Midwest Asians Get Governor’s Attention, page 1. Illinois Gov. James Thompson met with the state’s Asian American Advisory Council and agreed to create a special assistant position for Asian American affairs. The meeting addressed various proposals including state board appointments and job training programs.
• Asian Americans: Media, Business and Refugee Issues Explored, page 8. A continuation of hearing coverage details testimony from Mark Masaoka on corporate exploitation of Asian labor, Tim Dong on Southeast Asian refugee prejudice, and Sumi Haru on negative TV portrayals of Asians. Monterey Park Police Chief Jon Elder described affirmative action programs serving the city’s large Asian population including bilingual services.

Community

• South Vietnamese Refugees Protest PBS Portrayal of Communists, page 1. Vietnamese refugees in San Diego objected to a PBS documentary series they say downplays the brutality of Communist Vietnam and the sacrifices of South Vietnamese forces. The series’ executive producer defended the documentary as balanced, citing historical casualty figures.
• Three No. Calif. Journalists Get Japanese Government Medals, page 2. Japan’s Consul General honored three Nikkei journalists—Howard Imazeki, John Kubota, and Duncan Ikezoe—for decades of community service in media. The ceremony recognized their contributions to Japanese American newspapers including Hokubei Mainichi and Nichi Bei Times.
• Other Nikkei Decorated by Japanese Government, page 2. Eleven Nikkei recipients were honored by the Japanese government on Nov. 3 for Culture Day, including George Nakamura and John Maki who received the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Other honorees included community leaders in Washington state, Missouri, and New York.
• WLA JACLer Named ‘Woman of Year’, page 2. The Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council honored Toy Kanegai and Chieko Takaki as ‘Woman of the Year’ at its annual installation dinner. Kanegai was recognized for veterans affairs work while Takaki was noted for behind-the-scenes volunteer contributions.
• JACLer Cited Ft. Lupton Outstanding Citizen of Year, page 2. Sam Koshio, a lifelong Fort Lupton, Colorado resident and farmer, was named the city’s 1983 Outstanding Citizen at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Koshio has been active in the JACL, school board, Rotary Club, and local Buddhist church.
• White Memorial Hospital’s Stand for Nikkei Americans During ’42 Recalled, by Jon Takasugi, page 3. Linda Morimoto, M.D. praised White Memorial Medical Center’s non-racist policies toward Japanese Americans during the WWII evacuation, where the hospital provided care regardless of ability to pay. A plaque was presented thanking the hospital for its extraordinary medical service and compassion shown during that era.
• One Wins, One Misses in School Board Races, page 3. Willard Yamaguchi won a seat on the Montebello Unified School District Board of Education, while Richard Kunishima lost his bid for the Garvey School District board. Yamaguchi secured one of two open seats with 2,803 votes.
• Newsman Stabbed in Home by Assailant, page 3. Alfredo Velez was arrested after repeatedly stabbing Hokubei Mainichi branch manager Kiyoshi Hirano at his Stockton home. Hirano’s wife ran for help while police arrived to find Velez, who was under the influence of drugs, struggling with Hirano.
• Blue Shield Delivers Maternity Benefits, page 6. The No. Calif-W. Nev.-Pac. District’s JACL-sponsored Blue Shield insurance plan negotiated new maternity benefits effective January 1, 1984. The plan covers over 13,000 individuals from 85 JACL chapters and is administered by a committee with support from chapter commissioners.
• Wills Are Last Word in A&R Program, page 6. Contra Costa JACL’s aging and retirement program held its last seminar of 1983 at Free Methodist Church, covering probate and estate planning topics presented by legal committee chair Yoshiro Tokiwa. The seminar was part of ongoing community education efforts.
• Chicagoans See Mazawa’s Photos, page 6. A Nisei photographer highlighted the Nov. 4 annual meeting of the Chicago JACL by showing his pictorial history of Japanese Americans in Chicago. The meeting was held at the Japanese American Service Committee.
• Library of Congress Scholar Cited APALA, page 9. Satoru Tsuneishi of the Library of Congress received the Asian Pacific American Librarians Assn. Distinguished Service Award during a joint APALA/Chinese American Librarians Assn. conference. Tsuneishi, a WWII Bronze Star recipient, earned his doctorate in political science from Yale in 1960.
• Toll-free Information Line Available for LA County Residents, page 9. Los Angeles County residents unfamiliar with English can access the Community Access Library Line for information and referrals in multiple languages. The service, funded by the county, is available via a toll-free number in several area codes.
• Nisei Experience Workshop to Explore Aging and Emotions, page 9. A San Francisco workshop on Nov. 19 will feature Dr. Kenji Murase discussing Hawaii conference findings on Japanese culture and mental health, along with presentations on retirement benefits and Nisei attitudes toward aging. The event will be held at JACL headquarters on Sutter Street.

Incarceration & Redress

• Judge Finds Racism, Gov’t Misconduct in Korematsu Case, page 1. Federal Judge Marilyn Hall Patel granted Fred Korematsu’s petition for a writ of error coram nobis, finding the government relied on racist views and suppressed evidence to justify WWII internment. Rep. Norman Mineta praised the ruling as a step toward redress for Japanese Americans.

JACL

• JACL Board Takes Up Redress, Membership, Convention Issues, by Karen Seriguchi, page 1. The JACL National Board met in San Francisco to discuss centralizing membership procedures, redress campaign funding, and plans for the Aloha ’84 convention. Rose Ochi introduced a consultant’s recommendations on membership systems while redress leaders reported on lobbying efforts in Congress.
• Nat’l Board: Redress, Convention and Membership Actions Detailed, page 7. The JACL National Board approved a reduced redress program budget, discussed the Mike M. Masaoka Fund, and finalized convention plans for Aloha ’84 including workshops and travel arrangements through Gelco. The board also ratified appointments of Rose Ochi and Irene Hirano and addressed various resolutions on veterans, youth representation, and ethnic concerns.

Commentary

• World Can Learn, page 4. A column reflecting on the Navajo-Hopi land dispute as a microcosm of world conflict, noting that tribal leaders are working toward reconciliation despite outside interests seeking to keep disputes alive. The piece also discusses uranium tailings cleanup projects and land reform issues on the Navajo reservation.
• East Wind, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Marutani argues that the CWRIC report alone is insufficient redress for the wrongs done to Japanese Americans during WWII, comparing it to only having a ‘recipe’ rather than actual bread. He insists that a mere apology without monetary compensation would be an insult, given that American society always pairs wrongdoing with tangible restitution.
• Deep Pockets and Sharp Elbows, page 4. A column discusses the introduction of redress legislation in Congress as the end of one phase and beginning of a harder lobbying battle. It questions whether JACL, historically a volunteer grassroots organization, can compete in the political arena without professional lobbyists and greater funding.
• Letter: Naughty Prime Minister, by Chiyeko Hedani, page 4. A short letter to the editor references reports about a Japanese Prime Minister accepting money related to aircraft sales. The letter is brief and critical in tone.
• From the Frying Pan: Family Names in Japanese—Over 130,000 of Them, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa explores the history of Japanese surnames, noting that before 1875 only the elite had family names until the Meiji government mandated everyone adopt one. He discusses common names like Sato, Suzuki, and Takahashi, and shares anecdotes about unusual names encountered on his trip.
• Uyeda: Navajo Clothing Donations and Rangeland Management, page 7. A brief continuation discusses the JACL Committee for Big Mountain People’s clothing donations to the Navajo reservation and ongoing rangeland management concerns. The piece thanks contributors for their support.
• Moshi-Moshi: The Nikkei Cuisine and Tsukemono, by Jin Konomi, page 12. A column traces the development of Nikkei cuisine from the hardships of early immigrant labor camps, where dangojiru was a staple, to the eclectic fusion of American, Chinese, and Japanese cooking styles that emerged over time. The author also reflects on the enduring but perhaps outdated tradition of tsukemono in a land of abundant fresh vegetables.

In-Depth

• After 40 Years… Korematsu: ‘I Figured It Was Time’, by Jon J. Kawamoto, page 5. A profile of Fred Korematsu describes his quiet suburban life and his decision to break decades of silence to challenge his WWII conviction after being contacted by law professor Peter Irons. The article details the legal team’s work, the government’s response, and Korematsu’s hopes for the broader redress campaign.

Arts & Entertainment

• Takaki’s Uncle Inspires the Berkeley Professor to Write Book, by Robert Tokunaga, page 9. Historian Ronald Takaki describes how conversations with his uncle Richard Okawa, a former sugar plantation worker, inspired his book ‘Pau Hana’ about multi-ethnic plantation life in Hawaii. The book examines Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino and other laborers’ experiences from a worker’s perspective rather than focusing on elites.

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