San Jose Japantown plans its future, and the redress campaign organizes

Vol. 90, No. 81, February 22, 1980. 8 pages. View this issue

San Jose’s Japantown, which Issei and Nisei old-timers call “Sannoze,” led the front page. A city planning effort with a task force of residents and merchants is working on a torii gate entrance, better parking and new Japanese-accented businesses, and the city council endorsed six more months of study. Elsewhere on the front page, Senator Orrin Hatch joined the backers of S 1647 and HR 5499, which would create a commission to investigate the World War II incarceration (often called internment) of Japanese Americans. John Tateishi wrote about the newly restructured National Committee for Redress, and Clifford Uyeda described climbing the Great Wall of China.

Also in this issue: the March 22 testimonial dinner honoring Nikkei members of Congress, including Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, plus plans for the JACL Youth Tour to Japan and the Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award. Frank Fukazawa wrote about a photographic exhibit of Japan from 1854 to 1905 and about Japan’s energy conservation. Chapter news from Riverside, San Diego, Reno and East Los Angeles fills pages 6 and 7.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Japantown Ponders Survival and Growth, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose’s Japantown, nicknamed ‘Sannoze’ by Issei-Nisei old-timers, is being revitalized through a city planning effort involving a task force of residents and merchants. Plans include a torii gate entrance, improved parking, and recruiting new Japanese-accented businesses to keep the historic district from withering away as its older generation of merchants passes on.’
• Nichibei Kai Center Dedicated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nichibei Kai dedicated its new $474,000 community center on Feb. 2, with Eddie Moriguchi serving as emcee. The building, located adjacent to National JACL headquarters in San Francisco, includes space for cultural classes, an office and library, and a Japanese tea room still under construction.’
• Another Gardena Nisei in First Try for City Council Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A fundraising dinner Feb. 28 will support Dr. Paul Y. Tsukahara’s campaign for Gardena city council, with Bruce Kaji serving as master of ceremonies. Tsukahara, active in several community organizations, faces a field of six candidates for two open seats, while incumbent JACLers Mayor Edmond Russ and Treasurer George Kobayashi run unopposed.’
• Chicago Popular With Industries From Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries recently opened a wholly-owned subsidiary headquarters in Chicago, reflecting the city’s growing popularity among Japanese firms due to its central location and transportation network. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chicago has grown from 64 members to over 200 in twelve years, with a major shift toward manufacturing firms locating near O’Hare Airport.’
• JAYS Summer Confab at Sac State Campus Set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American Youth (JAYS) will host their National Youth Conference July 22-27 at Sacramento State University, expecting 250-300 youth from across the nation. Workshops will explore the Japanese American experience from early immigration through the present and future.’
• San Jose Japantown Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Jose city council unanimously endorsed extending the Japantown planning study another six months, considering changes to land use, one-way streets, and rezoning. Merchants worry about retaining younger generations in family businesses as the task force also searches for a site for a Japanese community center.’
• Wilshire JACL Plan Helps Mar. 22 Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Wilshire JACL Chapter Board developed a plan to assist chapter members attending the March 22 Testimonial Dinner honoring Senators Hayakawa, Inouye, and Matsunaga, and Representatives Mineta and Matsui. Aid will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 20 applicants, with dinner proceeds benefiting the JACL Redress Committee.’
• 1980 PSWDC Nisei Relays Site Selected, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The JACL Nisei Relays Committee announced the 29th annual Pacific Southwest District event will be held June 1 at Santa Ana Community College, followed by the 3rd annual JACL California State Track/Field Championship on June 15. A jog-a-thon is scheduled for March 8 at Cerritos High School to raise funds for the program.’
• East Los Angeles JACL Nisei Week Queen Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 6. East Los Angeles JACL will introduce its 1980 Nisei Week queen candidate at the 26th annual Emerald Ball on April 5 at Luminarias Restaurant. Aspirants 18 and up have until March 15 to enter through chapter coordinator Mabel Yoshizaki.’
• San Diego JACL Scholarships Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Diego JACL will award $2,600 in scholarships to deserving local high school graduates who are JACL members or dependents, or have one parent of Japanese ancestry. Three local winners will be nominated for National JACL scholarships, with applications due March 15.’
• Reno JACL Spring Calendar, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Reno JACL’s spring calendar begins with a potluck dinner Feb. 23 at Sparks Recreation Center, followed by a scholarship fund dinner March 16, a general meeting May 18, and an annual picnic June 29 at Bowers Mansion.’

JACL

• 50th Anniversary Medals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Franklin Mint notified JACL National Headquarters that the 50th Anniversary Medallions will be minted and delivered by the end of February. A limited number of the gold-electroplated silver medallions remain available for $35 by mail order to JACL National Headquarters.’
• JACL 1980 Travel Program Rules Amended, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Despite the elimination of Group Affinity fares, JACL’s 1980 travel program will continue with reserved seats at APEX fares, the lowest available. The travel committee amended eligibility rules to waive the six-month membership requirement and allow only one adult household member to be a JACL member.’
• Nominations Due From Chapters for Masaoka Distinguished Service Award, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Mike M. Masaoka Distinguished Public Service Award marks its 10th anniversary at the upcoming JACL national convention, honoring individuals or organizations that have improved quality of life for Americans or U.S.-Japan relations. Past honorees include Edwin Reischauer, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, U. Alexis Johnson, Mike Mansfield, and Nobuhiko Ushida; nominations are due April 30, 1980.’
• JACL Helps Defend Good Taste of Seattle’s Japanese Eateries, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Seattle JACL members Ken Nakano and Cherry Kinoshita responded to a Tokyo Shimbun article that disparaged Seattle’s Japanese restaurants as unsuitable for elite Japanese businessmen. Working with the Shunju Club and the Japanese Consulate, the chapter secured a corrective article’s publication in the Tokyo newspaper.’
• JACL Youth Tour to Japan Detailed, Set Aug. 6-22, by Bruce K. Shimizu, page 2. JACL will launch its first Youth Tour to Japan in August, a 16-day trip open to members and their children, costing approximately $1,500 and limited to 30 participants. The itinerary covers Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Osaka, and Mishima, with highlights including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and a climb of Mt. Fuji.’

National

• Voter Registrar Ousted Under Pressure, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco Registrar of Voters Thomas Kearney was removed from his post after Chinese American community leaders pressured Chief Administrative Officer Roger Boas following Kearney’s alleged racist remark about Chinese voters. Community leaders, including Henry Der and Gordon Lau, said the incident reflected growing political sophistication and organization within the Chinese American community.’
• Utah Sen. Hatch Backing S 1647, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has joined the coalition of senators and congressmen supporting S 1647 and HR 5499 to create a commission investigating the WWII relocation and internment of Japanese Americans. Hatch said he was asked by Utah JACL members to sponsor the bill after studying civil rights and national security questions it raises.’
• Sen. Inouye: Ranking Nikkei Legislator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii will be honored among five Nikkei members of Congress at the ‘American Testimonial’ benefit dinner March 22 at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. Inouye, the only person to hold major statewide office throughout Hawaii’s 20 years of statehood, gained national prominence during the 1973 Senate Watergate hearings and serves as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.’
• Census Estimates Fewer Illegal Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new Census Bureau estimate places the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. at 5 million, well below earlier estimates of eight to 12 million. The President’s Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy called the new report probably the best available analysis to date.’

Commentary

• Great Wall, by Clifford Uyeda, page 4. JACL National President Clifford Uyeda recounts climbing a restored section of the Great Wall of China on a two-hour train trip north of Beijing, describing the rugged terrain and the wall’s immense scale. He reflects on the enormous manpower used in its construction and whether it was ultimately effective as a barrier against invaders.’
• Delineation of District Council Boundaries, by Harry Honda, page 4. Harry Honda reviews the history of JACL’s district council boundaries since 1948 and details expansions proposed in the 1980 draft constitution, including Alaska joining the Pacific Northwest and new states added to Mountain Plains, Midwest, and Eastern districts. He also discusses Hawaii’s developing chapter status and muses about JACL potentially becoming international with a prospective Tokyo chapter.’
• P.S.: Karl-Yaki, by Mack Yamaguchi, page 4. Mack Yamaguchi writes a letter objecting to being characterized as a ‘prodigal son’ returning to JACL, asserting he has remained continuously active in the organization. He reflects on his 60th birthday and the camaraderie of JACL fellowship.’
• Our Issei May Well Remember, by Frank Fukazawa, page 5. Frank Fukazawa describes a photographic exhibit at the Japan House Gallery in New York featuring images of Japan from 1854 to 1905, capturing the Japan many Issei left behind. He reflects on how the photographs preserve a vanishing traditional Japan, offering descendants a connection to their ethnic roots that modern images of Japan cannot provide.’
• Japanese Economy Shrinking to ’45 Level, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Tokyo-based report describes Japan’s economic troubles, including an $8 billion deficit, rising oil import costs, and government energy conservation measures limiting car use and heating. The piece also details a major espionage scandal involving a Japanese general feeding military secrets to the Soviets for 25 years.’
• Chapters Visits, by John J. Saito, page 6. John Saito recounts his weekend visiting the Riverside and San Fernando Valley JACL chapters’ installation events, describing the Riverside installation featuring speaker John Tateishi’s redress presentation and honors for Sumi Harada and Toshi Hanazono. He also describes the San Fernando Valley brunch installation, including a humorous skit about chapter board meetings and tributes to past presidents Tom Imai and Tom Endow.’
• Japanese Economy Continued, by Frank Fukazawa, page 8. The column continues discussing Japan’s energy conservation measures including solar-heated public baths, cement factories burning old tires, and sailing ships replacing modern vessels for coastal transport. It concludes that despite economic hardship, the Japanese people’s resilience and ingenuity will help them adapt to the shrinking economic pie.’

Incarceration & Redress

• New Committee, by John Tateishi, page 4. John Tateishi announces the newly restructured National Committee for Redress, with representatives selected from each JACL district to lead the campaign locally. The committee will hold its first meeting Feb. 29-March 1 in San Francisco to plan grassroots educational strategy and fundraising for the redress campaign.’

Military & Veterans

• Dinner Continued: Sen. Inouye’s Senate Career Detailed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Additional details on Sen. Daniel Inouye’s Senate career are provided, including his service on the Appropriations Committee and subcommittees on Foreign Operations, Merchant Marine, Defense, and other areas. The article also notes his WWII service with the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team and his education at the University of Hawaii and George Washington University.’

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