JACL’s future, from the Reno Tri-District Conference to long range planning

Vol. 108, No. 16, April 28, 1989. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL looking at itself was the thread of this eight-page issue. The front page covered the Tri-District Conference in Reno, where George Johnston reported on workshops, a redress update from Jerry Enomoto, and remarks from Rep. Robert Matsui and National President Cressey Nakagawa. Inside, the commentary pages kept at it. An editorial argued that renewed anti-Asian racism shows why JACL is still needed, Hank Tanaka wrote about the national Long Range Planning Committee, and Mike Hoshiko asked how JACL could draw Sansei, Yonsei and new immigrants as its Nisei members age.

Also in this issue: the Go For Broke National Veterans Association’s plans for a 1993 anniversary program in Washington, and the resignation of JACL Administrative Director Neal Taniguchi. Page 2 carried community notices, among them a Poston II camp reunion set for September 29 to October 1 and the Downtown Los Angeles chapter’s 60th anniversary event. Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani wrote columns on Tokyo and New York.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• JACL Concerns Examined at Reno Tri-District Conference, by George Johnston, page 1. The JACL Tri-District Conference held at the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno brought together the Pacific Southwest, Central California, and Northern California-Western Nevada Pacific districts for workshops, updates, and discussions. Speakers included Rep. Robert Matsui, JACL-LEC Chair Jerry Enomoto, and National President Cressey Nakagawa, covering redress updates, census outreach, and JACL’s Visa program progress.
• San Diego JACL Steps Up ’90 Convention Planning, page 2. Robert Itoh has taken over as chair of the host committee for the 1990 National JACL Convention at the San Diego Princess Resort. Plans include a golf tournament, fishing trips, family bowling, and sightseeing excursions, with Itoh calling on local Nikkei leaders to help as they did for the 1966 convention.
• Coordinating Efforts (continued), by Hank Tanaka, page 8. The National Long Range Planning Committee continues searching for volunteers and is scheduled to convene in early 1990 to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The plan will incorporate input from district long range planning workshops held throughout 1989 before being submitted to the JACL national council in June 1990.

Military & Veterans

• Go For Broke National Veterans Association Preparing Gala Golden Anniversary Program for 1993 in Washington, page 1. At an organizational meeting in Buena Park, the Go For Broke National Veterans Association authorized filing of bylaws and incorporation papers as a nonprofit, deferring election of permanent officers to a June session in Reno. The group proposed amendments to the redress law regarding veteran eligibility and discussed plans for a 1993 golden anniversary commemoration in Washington, D.C.

National

• Neal Taniguchi Quits JACL Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Administrative Director Neal Taniguchi resigned to take a management consultant position at the Harvey M. Rose Accountancy Corp., working on the San Francisco city budget. He had served at JACL Headquarters since November 1987, overseeing the Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference.
• How Does Japan Avoid Drug Problem, U.S. Asks, page 2. An American reporter examined why Japan avoids the drug problems facing the United States, finding that Japanese pushers and users face certain jail time with no plea bargaining. Japanese jails are described as extremely harsh, cold, and rigidly disciplined, serving as a major deterrent.

Community

• Rep. Matsui to Speak at Downtown L.A.’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, page 2. Rep. Robert Matsui will be the keynote speaker at the Downtown Los Angeles JACL Chapter’s 60th anniversary celebration on Oct. 14 at the Biltmore Hotel. Proceeds from the event will benefit the chapter’s scholarship program and its service to the Little Tokyo community.
• 4th Annual JACL Singles Confab Set, page 2. Early registration is due April 30 for the 4th Annual JACL Singles Convention over Labor Day weekend at the Torrance Marriott. The event will feature workshops on topics like self-defense, relationships, and legal aspects of cohabitation, along with a banquet, dance, and Sunday brunch.
• New HAPPA Group Launched at Hughes, page 2. A new organization called the Hughes Asian Pacific Professional Association (HAPPA) was formed within Hughes Aircraft Co. to support Asian Pacific American employees. Mary Yasui serves as president, with officers including Mel Quan, Dick Obayashi, and Paul Gee, and educator William Ouchi scheduled to speak at a June meeting.
• Asian Cultural Park Planned in Baltimore, page 2. An Asian cultural theme park is being developed at Middle River near Baltimore, with completion expected by 1992. Originally a Chinese trade project, it expanded to include Japanese, South Korean, Indian and Vietnamese communities, featuring replicas of the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
• Poston II Camp Reunion on Sept. 29-Oct. 1, page 2. A Poston II camp reunion is being planned for the Sept. 29-Oct. 1 weekend at the Doubletree Hotel in Monterey by a committee from Salinas, Watsonville, and Monterey. The program includes a tour of the Monterey Aquarium, golf, a mixer, banquet, and Sunday brunch.
• 20th Japan-U.S. Mayors’ Confab in L.A. May 14-17, page 2. More than 500 mayors, chamber of commerce presidents, and civic leaders from nearly 90 cities in Japan and the U.S. will meet at the Biltmore in Los Angeles for a conference themed ‘Harmonizing the Japan-American Relationship.’ The conference will feature presentations by Mayor Tom Bradley and Tokyo Gov. Shunichi Suzuki along with forums on partnerships and cultural challenges.

Commentary

• Recent Trend Shows Need for JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An editorial discusses recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and by columnist George Will highlighting a resurgence of anti-Asian racism, including resentment over Asian American academic success. The piece argues that JACL’s continued existence is justified given this ongoing discrimination against Asian Americans.
• Coordinating Efforts, by Hank Tanaka, page 4. National JACL President Cressey Nakagawa called a special meeting to address major program issues including Higher Education, Membership Development, Ways and Means, Pacific Citizen, and Long Range Planning. Several experienced JACL leaders, including Ron Osajima, Dave Okimoto, and Grayce Uyehara, have volunteered for the national Long Range Planning Committee.
• Japan’s Post-War Success: The Nisei Connection, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. At a gathering in Tokyo, the columnist reconnects with old friends including Sen Nishiyama, a pioneering simultaneous interpreter who served eight American ambassadors. Nishiyama believes it was Japanese American loyalty and sacrifice, not just Japan’s economic power, that made Japan truly acceptable to the United States, and plans to write a book on this theory.
• Tokyo’s 24th Ward, by Bill Marutani, page 4. The column explores New York City’s large Japanese population of about 60,000 residents and the massive Japanese financial investment in the city, exceeding $7 billion. It also touches on Japanese tourists’ spending habits and the cautionary warnings they receive about crime in Manhattan.
• Speculation on JACL’s Future, by Mike Hoshiko, St. Louis JACL, page 5. The author questions whether JACL can survive long-term given its aging Nisei membership base and difficulty attracting Sansei and Yonsei members. He suggests JACL should reach out to new Japanese immigrants and their children to build a sustainable future membership and recruit support for a potential redress-funded endowment.

Arts & Entertainment

• The Newsmakers, page 6. This roundup covers various Japanese American achievers including filmmaker Yip’s documentary on Locke, California, Eagle Scout Brian Yamamura’s cemetery restoration project, pianist Jon Kimura Parker’s premiere performance, Cherry Blossom queen Lori Mae Matsumura, baseball manager Lenn Sakata’s career, and skateboarder Christian Hosoi’s success. Each entry highlights notable accomplishments by Japanese Americans in various fields.

Obituaries

• Deaths, page 6. Obituary notices include Yoshimi Kimura, 96, a matriarch of a Fresno pioneer family; Toyomo Teraoka, 89, of Fresno; and Jiro Omata, 79, a member of a pioneer Hanford family who died while visiting Seattle. Also noted is Stephen C. Ning, 38, a Boston-born filmmaker who died suddenly of an aneurysm in New York City.

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