Filipino reclassification dispute and a Shogun debate in the pages

Vol. 91, No. 11, October 17, 1980. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page carried a dispute over a Los Angeles County survey to reclassify Filipino Americans as a separate ethnic group under SB 140, with county compliance officer Michael Ishikawa, Jr. answering charges of bias from the Filipino American Employees Association. The opinion pages turned to the TV series Shogun, with letters from S. Stephen Nakashima, Paula Ogi and Dr. Clifford Uyeda, and a column by Bill Hosokawa. Bill Marutani continued his two-part look at atomic bomb survivors living in the U.S.

The issue also covered JACL business: the White River Chapter’s 50th anniversary, a reception for Rep. George E. Danielson, Midwest District Governor Kaz Mayeda’s report on the 1980 convention, and a search for a new national director. Elsewhere, three California First Bank-JACL scholarship recipients met with the bank’s president, and chemist Jay Kochi was honored with an American Chemical Society award.

What’s in this issue

National

• L.A. County Survey to Reclassify Filipinos Raises Race Bias Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 1. L.A. County Affirmative Action Compliance Officer Michael Ishikawa, Jr. responded to charges that he favored fellow Japanese Americans over Filipino Americans in implementing SB 140’s separate ethnic classification survey. The Filipino American Employees Association claimed the survey’s methodology deprived Filipinos of equal employment opportunities, while Ishikawa defended his record of advancing affirmative action for the growing Filipino American population.
• Calif. Bans Nisei-Engineered Subscription-TV Decoder, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Brown signed a law making unauthorized sale of TV decoder devices a misdemeanor, affecting Hisayasu’s S&H Television shop which had sold the decoders for a year and a half. Hisayasu’s attorney argued the state law was preempted by federal authority over airwave regulation, and a federal judge had earlier dismissed a related lawsuit by ON-TV for lack of jurisdiction.
• Chemist Jay Kochi Wins High Honor Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jay K. Kochi, Earl Blough professor of chemistry at Indiana University, has been awarded the American Chemical Society’s 1981 James Flack Norris Award in physical organic chemistry for his pioneering studies of free radicals and contributions to catalysis. Kochi, a Los Angeles Nisei who obtained his B.S. from UCLA and Ph.D. from Iowa State, believes academic chemistry research must remain responsive to society’s needs.
• Pharmacist Charges Race, Sex Bias in L.A. Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. F. Carole Fujita, a Nikkei pharmacist at L.A. County Harbor/UCLA Medical Center, appeared before the county civil service commission to charge discrimination based on sex and cultural background by her supervisor Delmar Hollenbeck. Her attorney alleged Hollenbeck assaulted her, causing injuries that kept her from work for seven months, and that the county failed to follow through on promised remedies.
• Chemist Jay Kochi (Continued), by P.C. Staff, page 8. Continuing coverage of chemist Jay Kochi describes his research into why and how chemical reactions occur, an area he considers still in the ‘Dark Ages’ of scientific understanding. Kochi expresses concern about a dwindling supply of young scientists as children become less curious and fewer bright minds pursue science careers.

Community

• CFB-JACL Scholars Meet With Bank President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Southern California recipients of the California First Bank-JACL Scholarship met with CFB president Toshio Nagamura to have their $1,000 award renewed. The recipients include students now attending Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton, each receiving $1,000 annually for four years of college.
• Hanyu Ends 36½ Years’ Gov’t Career, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Noboru Hanyu retired after 36½ years as a federal employee and was honored by fellow employees with the Exceptional Service Award for improving GSA accounting systems. Hanyu began his career with the War Relocation Authority in San Francisco before moving to the War Assets Administration, forerunner of the GSA.
• Presbyterians Aid Hibakusha, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National Presbyterian Church granted $15,000 to the National Committee for Atomic Bomb Survivors in the United States to further interpret issues of atomic bomb survivors. Sacramento JACLer Ouye, a member of the Self Development Committee, served as principal facilitator for the grant.
• ‘Mary Poppins’ Banned From Library Shelves, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The classic children’s book ‘Mary Poppins’ has been removed from public library children’s shelves in San Francisco for treating minorities in derogatory ways, according to library official Joan Dillon. The book by P.L. Travers was first published in 1934 about an English nanny.
• Seinan Cafe, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Ron Wakabayashi, director of AADAP, opened the Seinan Cafe in the historically Nikkei Seinan district, serving Hawaiian, soul, and regular breakfast and lunch food. The cafe, run by chef Bob Unno, aims to help revitalize the area alongside the nearby Seinan Center’s anti-crime projects.
• East Los Angeles Chapter Issei Appreciation Day, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The East Los Angeles JACL chapter held its annual Issei Appreciation Day program at the Japanese Retirement Home featuring entertainment including Shigin, dancers, and Polynesian performers. Chapter president Doug Masuda led the event with Mable Yoshizaki as chairperson and Walter Tatsuno as master of ceremonies.
• San Jose Firefighter in Appeal, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Richard Nakamura, the first and only Asian American fire engineer with the San Jose Fire Department, is helping recruit more diverse firefighters ahead of a filing deadline of Nov. 8. Nakamura, a former Sequoia Jr. JACL president, joined the department in 1970 and notes another firefighter with Japanese heritage was recently hired.
• Coachella-Riverside Join for Redress Talk, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Coachella Valley and Riverside JACL chapters held a joint potluck dinner meeting to hear an update on the redress campaign from Phil Shigekuni at the First Christian Church in Riverside. The event aimed to inform members within Riverside County about redress developments.
• Hoosier to Run 3-Day Festival Oct. 24-26, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Hoosier JACL chapter is preparing for heavy activity at the October International Festival in Indianapolis, selling beef teriyaki, yakisoba, sushi, manju and other Japanese merchandise. Ken Matsumoto chairs the event, and the chapter will also hold a membership dinner on Nov. 9.
• Nishi Hongwanji to Mark Its 75th, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Hompa Hongwanji in Los Angeles celebrates its 75th anniversary with a memorial service and dinner, presided over by Abbot Koshin Ohtani, the Jodoshinshu patriarch visiting from Kyoto. The celebration is chaired by Masashi Kawaguchi, Dr. Ryo Munekata, and Rimban Shoki Mohri.
• Tri-Valley JACL Hallowe’en Party and Community Projects, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tri-Valley JACL will gather at Country Club School for a Hallowe’en party and potluck dinner featuring pumpkin decorating, relay races, and a haunted house tour, chaired by Mrs. Setsuko Inami. President Jerry Watanabe’s board also resolved to donate to the East Bay Housing Project and is reviewing books on Japanese culture for donation to local libraries.
• West Los Angeles JACL Health Series Features Plastic Surgery Talk, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Ronald Matsunaga, a USC clinical professor of surgery, will discuss plastic surgery topics at a health education series co-sponsored by Nora Sterry Community Lighted School and WLA JACL. The talk covers face lift and eyelid surgeries as well as management of facial fractures.
• Japanese Antique Shop Opens in Marin County, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Asuka Japanese Antiques, offering centuries-old kottohin, has opened in San Anselmo by Juli Kodani, a Marin County JACLer and Japan-born Sansei whose father Alex Yorichi is a charter Japan JACL member. Juli, a Sophia University graduate and former IRS management analyst, is supported in the venture by her husband, banker Fred Kodani.

Arts & Entertainment

• Art Center’s Extraordinary Role in Postwar Japan Told, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Art Center College of Design celebrated its 50th anniversary with an international design symposium highlighting its extraordinary role in training Japanese designers who became influential in postwar Japanese automotive and product design. Among the Nikkei graphic design alumni honored were Kenji Ekuan, Henry Haga, and James Miho, who went on to lead major design firms in Japan and the U.S.
• ‘Four Storytellers’ Exhibit at CSULA, by P.C. Staff, page 7. An exhibit featuring works by four Sansei artists exploring contemporary social issues in a narrative-autobiographical format was on display at CSULA’s Exploratorium through Oct. 24. The artists include Wayanna Kato Oshima, Wayne Kuwada, and Steve Baba.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei VFW State Commander in Oregon Earns All American Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. While Hisao Masuyama of Gardena becomes a VFW commander in California, a Nisei in Hood River, Oregon is also recognized in VFW leadership circles. The article highlights the rising prominence of Nisei veterans in Veterans of Foreign Wars leadership positions nationwide.
• Astronauts Shuttled About U.S. to Publicize Space Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Air Force Capt. Ellison Onizuka, a Hawaiian-born Sansei astronaut candidate, visited Reno to help publicize NASA’s space shuttle program ahead of the Columbia’s planned March 1981 flight. Onizuka discussed technical challenges with heat shield tiles and the need for public support of the space program after a period of dormancy in government commitment.

JACL

• White River Valley JACLers Gather for 50th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The White River Chapter celebrated its Golden Anniversary Banquet following the PNWDC meeting in Auburn, Washington, marking 50 years since its founding as the Valley Civic League in 1930. Charter member Tom Iseri reminisced about the chapter’s history, while National President Dr. James Tsujimura and Acting National Director J.D. Hakoyama spoke about JACL’s future, and Mrs. Margaret Okitsu received the JACL Silver Pin for her service.
• JACL to Host Reception for Rep. Danielson, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The East Los Angeles and Pan-Asian JACL Chapters are hosting a reception for Congressman George E. Danielson in Chinatown to express appreciation for his support of Japanese American community interests, including his work on the Commission Bill studying wartime incarceration. John Tateishi, chair of the JACL National Committee for Redress, will present Danielson with an expression of the organization’s appreciation.
• Message From Detroit, by Kaz Mayeda, page 6. Midwest District Governor Kaz Mayeda reports on the 1980 biennial convention’s outcomes, including passage of a new JACL constitution and dues increases to $22.25 and $25.75 over the next two years. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining membership despite dues increases and highlights the successful passage of the Presidential Commission Bill on wartime relocation and redress.

Incarceration & Redress

• ‘Little Tokyo, USA’ Removed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A wartime Hollywood propaganda film depicting an espionage plot in prewar Little Tokyo was removed from a Rochester theater’s film schedule after a protest from JACL. JACL Ethnic Concerns chair Ron Wakabayashi had objected to the film’s portrayal of Japanese Americans as sneaky saboteurs and enemies, contrary to the historical record.

Commentary

• Personnel, by Dr. Jim Tsujimura, page 4. JACL President Dr. Jim Tsujimura describes the search process underway for a new National JACL Director, outlining a timeline involving resume submissions, committee evaluation, and final selection by the National Board in January. The personnel committee is chaired by Herbert M. Okamoto, succeeding Ben Takeshita, with a selection committee comprising representatives from each district.
• A Better Way to Do Things?, by Ron Shibata, page 4. Ron Shibata, Vice Governor of the Mountain Plains District, argues that JACL needs to revise its budgeting practices from a simple line budget to a performance or program-based budget that measures effectiveness of spending. He outlines a multi-step budgeting process that would allow JACL to track whether programs meet their goals and discontinue ineffective ones.
• TV Series Hailed, by S. Stephen Nakashima, page 4. A letter writer defends the TV series ‘Shogun,’ arguing that author James Clavell conducted thorough research and that the depicted brutality and customs were historically accurate for feudal Japan. The writer recounts Clavell’s personal history as a WWII POW and his meticulous research for the novel, concluding that many viewers found beauty rather than offense in the portrayal.
• Commending Clavell, by Paula Ogi, page 4. A letter writer praises ‘Shogun’ as a positive portrayal of Japanese culture, highlighting the brilliance and calculation of characters Toranaga and Mariko as a tribute to Japanese heritage. She argues the series offers more insight into Japanese culture than works like ‘Farewell to Manzanar’ and commends Clavell, a white author, for his cultural understanding.
• Thoughts From Japan, by Alex Yorichi, page 4. A letter from Japan JACL member Alex Yorichi argues that the redress campaign needs more momentum and a nationally coordinated strategy, while also criticizing rising JACL membership dues as a barrier to attracting new, younger members. He suggests JACL pursue grants and donations from foundations and government sources rather than relying solely on membership dues.
• Vigilance, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 4. Dr. Clifford Uyeda argues that while ‘Shogun’ is entertainment, it subtly reinforces prejudices about Japanese people as brutal and oversimplified, similar to WWII propaganda but in a less direct form. He warns that Japanese Americans should remain vigilant about subtle racism rather than simply dismissing the series as harmless entertainment.
• One More Swash at ‘Shogun’, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa disagrees with critics who claim ‘Shogun’ negatively influences attitudes toward Japanese Americans, arguing the series was actually less violent than many chambara films popular in Japantown theaters. He notes that other groups depicted unfavorably in the series, like the Portuguese and Jesuits, haven’t complained, and that dramatic works inherently require some simplification and stereotyping.
• ‘Little Boy’ and ‘Fat Man’ (Part Two), by Bill Marutani, page 5. Bill Marutani continues his examination of the plight of atomic bomb survivors living in the U.S., detailing the medical hardships they face and noting that while Japan provides free medical care to its hibakusha, the U.S. government has spent $82 million on research but nothing on direct relief for survivors. He highlights Kanji Kuramoto’s years-long campaign for modest federal relief legislation and calls on JACL to support this effort.
• ‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee’, page 6. A writer recounts discovering the book ‘Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee’ at a ski shop in Utah after a young girl recommended it, describing its detailed account of genocidal campaigns against Native Americans with perpetrators identified by name. The writer reflects that honest historical reckoning could bring hope for the future of democracy.

In-Depth

• The National Asian American Political Roster, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Don T. Nakanishi, UCLA professor of political science and Asian American studies, compiled a roster of Asian American elected officials, major political appointees, and judges across 16 states plus Guam, American Samoa, and Canada. The publication is available through the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
• Paulownia Trees in Maryland Bring High Value, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Paulownia tree (kiri), introduced to the Eastern seaboard from China in 1804, is now being sought by Japanese buyers for its valuable wood used in bowls, furniture, and geta, fetching prices up to $3 per board foot. American Paulownia Corp. has been buying logs from private landowners in Maryland as the tree has become scarce in Japan due to overcutting.

Sports

• Stockton JACL Golf Tournament Results, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The ninth annual Stockton JACL golf tournament was held at Van Buskirk, with Bob Ito winning the chapter trophy with a low gross score of 75. Full results across multiple flights and categories, including ladies and guests, were recorded, sponsored by local banks Sumitomo and California First.

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