CWRIC hearings in Washington: Masaoka answers JACL critics

Vol. 93, No. 21, November 20, 1981. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen’s front page covered the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Washington, where all nine commissioners were present together for the first time. Peter Imamura reported on former JACL National Secretary Mike Masaoka’s response to criticism from William Hohri and Frank Chin about the League’s wartime actions. Page 3 carried more testimony from former WRA official Barrows on camp conditions, and page 8 reported a declassified document on what President Roosevelt knew before Pearl Harbor. The front page also announced that Nishimoto was elected to lead the Pacific Southwest District Council.

The commentary pages offer Ron Wakabayashi on family keepsakes from the camp years, Dr. Clifford Uyeda on Asian American coalitions, Bill Hosokawa on Pearl Harbor conspiracy theories, and Bill Marutani and Sachi Seko in their regular columns. Community news ranges from a bonsai exhibit at the JACCC to Seabrook’s first Nikkei cultural event, and from chapter bazaars to the Double Eagle V balloon crossing of the Pacific.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Masaoka Responds to JACL Critics, Recalls League’s WW2 Actions, by Peter Imamura, page 1. At CWRIC hearings in Washington, former JACL National Secretary Mike Masaoka defended his and the League’s wartime actions against accusations from William Hohri and Frank Chin. He detailed the historical context of the evacuation, the loyalty oath, and his role in cooperating with government authorities during WW2.
• CWRIC Hearings: Barrows Testimony Continued, page 3. Continuing testimony before the CWRIC, former WRA official Barrows answered questions from Commissioners Brooke and Goldberg about camp conditions, wages, recreational facilities, and the forced closure of camps. The exchange explored whether camps were made intentionally uncomfortable to encourage relocation and avoid becoming permanent institutions.
• Roosevelt Had No Prior Warning of Sneak Attack, page 8. A recently declassified NSA document reveals that despite breaking Japanese diplomatic codes before Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt had no advance warning of the attack, according to Army cryptographer William F. Friedman. The document also details how 1944 presidential candidate Thomas Dewey learned of the broken codes but kept silent after appeals from Army Chief of Staff George Marshall.

JACL

• Nishimoto to Head PSWDC, page 1. At the Pacific Southwest District Council meeting in Las Vegas, Nishimoto was elected to lead the PSWDC following a close vote with Dobashi. Delegates and officers gathered for business sessions discussing JACL’s long-range goals including preserving cultural heritage.
• PSWDC Membership Scheme Changes Proposed, by Harry Honda, page 4. The Pacific Citizen reports that JACL memberships may soon expire on an anniversary date rather than the calendar year, pending National Board approval. Three national officers are recommending the new scheme, which would be tracked through PC’s mailing list computerization.

Community

• Tacoma Area Nikkei Elected, page 1. Pierce County residents in the Tacoma, Washington area elected multiple Nikkei candidates to office on Nov. 3. The brief item notes the significance of the election results for the local Japanese American community.
• Bonsai Masterworks to be JACCC Exhibit, page 2. An exhibit titled ‘Masterworks of Bonsai’ will be showcased at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Main Gallery on Nov. 21-22, featuring prized trees as a sculptural art form. The exhibit, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, is curated by bonsai master John Naka and features works by numerous other bonsai artists.
• Scout Troop 29 Sets Merit Badge Record, page 2. Troop 29 of San Francisco Buddhist Church presented 168 merit badges to 26 scouts at a recent court of honor, setting a troop record according to Scoutmaster Art Sawada.
• Reno JACL Sets Installation Date, page 2. Reno JACL will hold its installation dinner on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Center for Religion & Life, featuring a potluck meal with the chapter providing the main course. JACL National Director Ron Wakabayashi, a Reno native, will serve as guest speaker and install officers.
• Over 1,500 Pack Seabrook’s First Nikkei Cultural Event, page 6. More than 1,500 people attended Seabrook, New Jersey’s first Nikkei cultural event, drawing a large crowd for the community gathering. The event marked a significant cultural celebration for the local Japanese American community.
• Detroit JACL Returns to Old World Market, page 6. After an absence of more than 10 years, Detroit JACL again participated in the Old World Market sponsored by the International Institute, which organizers called more successful than their earlier Far Eastern Festival efforts. Chapter members offered chicken teriyaki and sushi, with numerous volunteers helping prepare and sell the food.
• NY JACL to Hold Holiday Bazaar, page 6. The New York JACL Chapter will hold its annual Holiday Fundraiser bazaar on Dec. 5 at the Japanese United Christian Church, featuring food, baked goods, and a white elephant sale.
• WLA JACL Auxiliary Cookbook Supply Replenished, page 6. A new shipment of the popular ‘East-West Flavors Cookbooks I and II’ has been ordered by the West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary in preparation for the holiday season. The cookbooks include recipes for Japanese New Year dishes and are available by mail order.
• Japan Decorates Two Chicagoans, page 7. Retired restaurateur Tom S. Masuda and insurance businessman Noboru Honda were awarded the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese government on Nov. 3 in recognition of their service to US-Japan friendship. Both are charter members of the Chicago JACL and have been active in Japanese American community organizations.
• EWP to Present ‘Christmas in Camp’, page 7. East West Players will present the opening performance of ‘Christmas in Camp,’ directed by Mako, on Dec. 10 at their Santa Monica Boulevard theater.
• Nikkei Raising Funds for Presbyterian Conference, page 7. A kickoff banquet was held in Montebello to raise funds for a Japanese Presbyterian Conference lay institute and annual retreat, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Donald Buteyn of San Anselmo Theological Seminary. Henry Kanegae served as dinner chairman with Dr. Masao Takeshita as emcee.
• West LA JACLers Celebrate in Japan, page 8. The West Los Angeles JACL tour delegation completed a three-week tour of western Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Seoul, marking their 10th year of Japan Tours with a celebration at the Ginza Tokyu Hotel. The 170-member group enjoyed a Chinese dinner, entertainment, and a finale dance performance.

Military & Veterans

• Koyasan Scout Troop 379 to Observe 50th Anniversary, page 3. Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 22, 1982, with organizers collecting human interest stories and reunion invitations. Bill Shishima is seeking contact information for former troop members who have moved, as the troop has produced over 200 Eagle Scouts and multiple award recipients and made goodwill trips to Japan since 1962.

Commentary

• Where’s My Sword?, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 4. In this Musubi column, Wakabayashi reflects on personal and family mementos from the camp era, including a netsuke given by his grandfather and his father’s lost samurai sword taken by the government during WW2. He notes how many Issei and Nisei saved items from the camp period, now surfacing as testimony and artifacts for the Redress Commission and veterans’ exhibits.
• Disarray or a Force for Good, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 4. In Cliff’s Corner, Uyeda discusses whether Asian American political coalitions are effective or illusory, referencing articles by Bill Hosokawa and Lillian Kimura. He argues that organization and issue clarity matter more than sheer numbers, and that strong individual ethnic organizations are essential for effective Asian American coalition building.
• Pearl Harbor Conspiracy Theories Still Afloat, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. In his From the Frying Pan column, Hosokawa examines the two main conspiracy theories surrounding FDR’s foreknowledge of the Pearl Harbor attack, including claims about broken Japanese codes and alleged provocation of Japan. He notes the particular interest these theories hold for Japanese Americans and suggests the CWRIC consider investigating further if evidence warrants.
• Ethical Contradictions, by Bill Marutani, page 5. In his East Wind column, Marutani reflects on the Issei-taught precepts of enduring without complaint and not treading on others, and how these values create tension when Nisei engage in American business and professional life. He describes this as leading to a kind of ‘split personality’ where cultural values clash with the demands of competitive society.
• A Tolerant Smile Covers the Aches, by Sachi Seko, page 5. In her From Happy Valley column, Seko recounts visiting a longtime friend recently diagnosed with colon cancer after three years of unexplained symptoms, revealed only through persistent testing. The piece explores the friend’s stoic demeanor contrasted with her husband’s emotional distress upon learning the news.

Arts & Entertainment

• Japan Classical Dance at Smithsonian Museum, page 7. The Smithsonian’s World Explorer Series will feature renowned Japanese classical dancer Suzushi Hanayagi on Dec. 4 at the Museum of Natural History in Washington. Hanayagi will perform the Jiuta-mai movement style dating from the 17th century, rarely performed in the United States.

National

• Double Eagle V Hops Pacific in 32 Days, page 8. The Double Eagle V balloon became the first in history to cross the Pacific Ocean, descending near Ukiah, California on Nov. 12 after a 5,300-mile voyage from Japan. The crew included Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman, Ron Clark, and Rocky Aoki, owner of the Benihana restaurant chain who financed the $250,000 venture.

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