Redress pledges, the Puyallup memorial and the downing of KAL 007

Vol. 97, No. 11, September 9, 1983. 12 pages. View this issue

The Soviet downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 near Sakhalin on Sept. 1, 1983 led the front page, with Clifford I. Uyeda tracing the long dispute between Japan and the Soviet Union over the northern islands. The same page covered the dedication of George Tsutakawa’s memorial sculpture at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, a wartime assembly center, where nearly 1,000 people gathered. Redress ran through the issue: a New York Times feature on Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui, Jerry Enomoto’s argument for individual compensation, Pasadena reactions to the NCJAR lawsuit, and a chapter-by-chapter list of JACL redress pledges.

Also inside: Bill Hosokawa on his father-in-law, the Issei haiku poet Taro Miyake, and the reprint of Mine Okubo’s “Citizen 13660.” JACL news included two winners of the Thomas T. Hayashi Memorial Law Scholarship, a larger Sumitomo scholarship gift, and a report on the EDC-MDC Convention from Dr. Frank Sakamoto. An NHK drama about Issei, Nisei and Kibei, with scenes at Manzanar, was announced for 1984.

What’s in this issue

National

• Downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 Spotlights Japan-Soviet Territorial Dispute Over Northern Islands, by Clifford I. Uyeda, page 1. The Soviet downing of an unarmed Korean Air Lines 747 near Sakhalin on Sept. 1, 1983 drew attention to the long-disputed northern territories claimed by Japan. Uyeda traces the history of Japanese settlement and territorial claims to Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands dating back centuries, through treaties, the Yalta Conference, and ongoing Soviet military buildup in the region.
• California Supreme Court Denies Mitsue Takahashi’s Petition, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Supreme Court denied Mitsue Takahashi’s petition for a hearing regarding her dismissal as a teacher, though Chief Justice Bird felt the case should be heard. Takahashi’s attorneys argued the dismissal for incompetence was based on contrived evidence, while the Livingston school board maintains it was justified and threatened countersuit.
• Man From Japan Joins Anti-Nuke Trio in U.S. Fasting in Protest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tsuyoshi Kohjima traveled from Japan to join three other protesters in Oakland who are fasting until there is a turnaround in the nuclear arms race. The fasters have maintained their protest for weeks through rest and meditation while awaiting policy changes from world powers.
• Japan People Concerned About Children’s Education, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A Japanese Ministry survey found more than half of Japanese students studying abroad feel anxious about returning to compete academically in Japan’s prestigious schools. Parents overwhelmingly desire more special schools or classes for children returning from overseas assignments.
• High Court Rejects Lions’ Design Appeal, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Tokyo High Court rejected the International Association of Lions Clubs’ appeal in a trademark dispute, ruling that a Japanese company’s similar logo design was not infringing despite only minor differences. The patent office had declined the Lions’ registration application since 1966 due to the similarity.
• Iwojima Transformed Into Military Base, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Iwojima, site of one of the bloodiest WWII battles, is being rapidly transformed into a key strategic military base according to Japan’s Defense Agency. The United States has asked Japan to develop the island as a forward base for F-15 fighters as part of a joint defense program.

Incarceration & Redress

• Tsutakawa Sculpture Dedicated at Puyallup Fairgrounds, Site of Wartime Internment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nearly 1,000 people gathered at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, once a wartime assembly center, for the unveiling of a memorial sculpture by George Tsutakawa honoring those interned there during WWII. Gov. John Spellman and survivors including Theresa Takayoshi and Shigeko Uno spoke about the hardships endured during the internment and the importance of remembering the injustice.
• 22 Japanese Among 269 Aboard Downed KAL Flight 007, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A list of the 22 Japanese nationals among the 269 people killed when Soviet forces shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on Aug. 31 is provided. The flight also carried Korean, Taiwanese, and American passengers.
• Reactions to NCJAR Suit, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Pasadena residents expressed mostly negative reactions to the $24 billion NCJAR lawsuit seeking $200,000 for each internee, with letters to the Pasadena Star-News reflecting a range of views from outright opposition to support for reparations. Some letter writers argued other groups deserved compensation too, while others emphasized society’s moral responsibility to repair past injustices.

Community

• Salinas Nisei Seeks Chualar School Board Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kenji Yonemitsu, a Salinas Valley JACL board member, is running for a seat on the Chualar School District board in a Sept. 20 recall election. Supporters say his candidacy would help ensure more equitable opportunities for Nikkei students.
• Once-Fired Nikkei Teacher Gets Job Back Temporarily, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Betty Waki, whose employment was terminated by the Houston Independent School District under a racial balance policy, has been temporarily rehired after a black instructor took leave. Houston JACL president Daniel Watanabe noted the district’s policy remains unchanged despite the reprieve.
• 13-Year-Old Fukuoka Genius Youngest Scholar at Caltech, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sho Kuwamoto, a 13-year-old math and science prodigy born in Fukuoka, Japan, is enrolling at Caltech after completing six years of secondary school in just 14 months. He taught himself advanced math at age 3 and plans a career as a theoretical physicist.
• U.S.-Raised Teenager Gets Two-Year Murder Sentence in Osaka, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A 19-year-old Japanese youth raised in New York for 11 years was sentenced to two years for killing his aunt and injuring his uncle in Osaka after suffering culture shock upon returning to Japan. The judge cited his emotional distress from failing university entrance exams and struggling to adapt to Japanese culture.
• Vernon Yoshioka Earns Key Endorsements in San Diego Race, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Vernon T. Yoshioka, an active JACLer running for San Diego Community College District trustee, has received endorsements from state and federal political figures. He criticized incumbent Gene French for losing interest in the position.
• With Everyone Complaining About Cooked Rice, Cafeteria Closes Door, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A cafeteria at the East-West Center in Honolulu closed after years of unresolvable complaints about how rice should be cooked, given the diverse preferences of international students and staff. The editorial wryly notes the impossibility of pleasing everyone’s taste in rice preparation.
• Venice JCC to Honor Dr. Mitsuo Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Mitsuo Inouye will be honored at a testimonial dinner hosted by the Venice Japanese Community Center on Oct. 1 at the Pacifica Hotel. Reservations are due by a set deadline in September.
• Salinas Seniors and Guests Picnic, by Violet de Cristoforo, page 7. Close to 150 Nikkei seniors from Salinas, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Watsonville and Monterey enjoyed a picnic at Royal Oaks Regional Park hosted by Salinas JACL Seniors. The event featured barbecued steaks, sushi, entertainment from the Salinas Karaoke Club, and announcement of an upcoming Reno trip.
• Ventura Slates International Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ventura County JACL members and their children will participate in the seventh annual International Food Fair on Sept. 11 in Oxnard. The event is organized under the direction of community volunteer Miyasaka.
• West L.A. Sansei, Marina to Hold Awareness Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A workshop addressing intimacy, interracial relationships, and Asian American identity will feature licensed clinical social workers and Dr. Harry Kitano discussing cultural values and personal relationship choices. The workshop costs $25 per person with details available through named contacts.
• Alumnae Fellowship, Rotary Grant Will Aid Nikkei Study at Sophia, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A University of California graduate received an alumnae fellowship and Rotary grant to study at Sophia University in Japan, building on her interest in U.S.-Japan trade relations. She will enroll in an intensive language program at International Christian University before pursuing further studies.
• 42 Student Relocation Group Compiling Membership List, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Organizers of the wartime National Japanese American Student Relocation Commemorative Fund are compiling a list of those assisted by the original 1942 student relocation council to aid students facing displacement today. The fund’s first award of $2,000 went to the American Friends Service Committee in June 1982.
• ‘Friends of L.T. Library’ Honor Sansei Author, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Dr. Akemi Kikumura, author of ‘Through Harsh Winters’ about her immigrant mother’s acculturation experiences, was honored at a luncheon by Friends of Little Tokyo Public Library Services. Proceeds from the event benefit the Bookmobile Service providing books for the community.

Sports

• San Francisco Sansei Eyes U.S. Olympic Fencing Team Spot, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Nikkei fencer from San Francisco, Nonomura, is aiming to be the first Nikkei on the U.S. Olympic fencing team ahead of the 1984 Games. He comes from a fencing family of eight siblings and has competed in national championships.
• Olivers Name First Woman Trophy Winner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Denise Ann Yamada, a scholar-athlete from Montebello, became the first woman to win the Sportsmanship Award from the Olivers Club. She will attend Duke University on a track scholarship and excels in hurdles, jumps and volleyball.

Arts & Entertainment

• Asian Film Festival Set for Local Debut, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 1983 Asian American International Film Festival will make its Los Angeles debut Oct. 8-9 at the new Japan America Theater after touring other major U.S. cities. The festival features 16 films including features, shorts, animation and documentaries by Asian American filmmakers.
• Citizen 13660 Reprinted, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Mine Okubo’s 1946 memoir ‘Citizen 13660,’ illustrated with cartoons depicting her camp experience at Tanforan and Topaz, has been reprinted by the University of Washington Press with a new preface. The author reflects on why she remains unembittered by her wartime incarceration.
• NHK Historical TV Series of 1984 Spotlights U.S. Nikkei, by Kashu Mainichi, page 10. NHK will film a year-long historical TV drama titled ‘Sanga Moyu’ based on the novel ‘Futatsu no Sokoku’ by Toyoko Yamazaki, dramatizing the lives of Issei, Nisei and Kibei through WWII, starring Toshiro Mifune and Koshiro Matsumoto. The story follows a Kibei newspaper editor’s family divided by dual nationality, internment at Manzanar, the 442nd Regiment, and the aftermath of the atomic bombings and war crimes tribunal.

Commentary

• ‘March on Washington’: 1963, page 4. The columnist reflects on participating in the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, recalling the JACL leadership debate in Omaha about whether to participate. The piece describes the emotional experience of the march and a tense encounter afterward at a roadside bar in Maryland wearing March buttons.
• N.Y. Times Focuses on Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A New York Times feature examined how Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui, both interned as children, must now vote on redress legislation for Japanese Americans. The article traces how the redress issue evolved from private family discussions to a national political matter over four decades.
• Cornerstone of Justice, by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Former National JACL president Jerry Enomoto argues that individual monetary compensation for internment is a legitimate legal remedy, countering Professor Harumi Befu’s objections to the $20,000 redress figure. He also criticizes the lenient sentencing in the Vincent Chin case as a miscarriage of justice reflecting troubling racial double standards.
• Letters to the Editor, by Various, page 4. Multiple letters address redress issues including criticism of Ken Masugi’s congressional testimony, support for Big Mountain Navajo relocation resistance, concerns about discrimination against Japanese American WWII veterans, and praise for PC columnists like Bill Marutani. Writers also discuss the $20,000 compensation debate and share personal stories of wartime injustice.
• Poetic Impulse, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa writes about his father-in-law Taro Miyake, an Issei newspaper editor and haiku poet he never met, after receiving a 1937 book of Miyake’s poems in the mail. He reflects on the remarkable cultural talents and artistic pursuits of the Issei generation despite their demanding work lives.
• Kotonks and JAs, by Lia Shigemura, page 8. The columnist, who grew up in Hawaii, reflects on the stereotypes and misperceptions between mainland Japanese Americans (‘Kotonks’) and Hawaii JAs ahead of the 1984 JACL convention in Honolulu. She explores differences in language, dress, and ethnic identity shaped by differing experiences with the internment and oppression.

JACL

• JACL Leadership Development (5): Both Enlightening and Inspirational, by Gene Sekiya, page 6. A CCDC representative provides a personal evaluation of the inaugural JACL-Washington D.C. Leadership Program held June 19-25, praising the agenda, speakers, and logistics including the Georgetown University dormitory accommodations. He reflects on meeting Nikkei professionals in government roles as both enlightening and inspirational for future Sansei leadership.
• JACL-Hayashi Law Scholarships: Two Winners Picked First Time, by P.C. Staff, page 7. For the first time in its eight-year history, the National JACL Thomas T. Hayashi Memorial Law Scholarship resulted in a tie, awarding two full scholarships to Jeri Christine Okamoto and John Tatsuo Nakahata. Both recipients graduated with high honors and will attend top law schools, Georgetown and Harvard respectively.
• JACL & CACA Get Together, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Local leadership of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and the Japanese American Citizens League met for the first time at the PSWDC third quarterly session, with Judge Ernest Hiroshige instrumental in bringing the groups together. Topics discussed included immigration law, rising crime, and violence against Asian Americans.
• Chapter Redress Pledges Received, by P.C. Staff, page 9. National JACL headquarters released a detailed summary of redress fund pledges and receipts by district council and chapter as of Aug. 9, 1983, showing a balance still needed to meet the 1983 budget goal of $195,000. The report breaks down membership, pledges, and amounts received for each JACL chapter across all districts.
• New Sumitomo-Nat’l JACL Scholarships Total $3,000, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Sumitomo Bank of California announced it will increase its 1984 National JACL scholarship funding to $3,000 from $2,000, to be distributed among freshman, undergraduate and graduate students. Bank president Teruhisa Shimizu expressed pride in the long-standing partnership with JACL’s scholarship program.
• JACLers Hold Roast for Mr. Philadelphia, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A surprise roast was held for Jack Ozawa, known as Philadelphia’s Mr. JACL, at the home of Tom and Mary Murakami to celebrate his 60th year. PC columnist Bill Marutani spoke about the honoree’s character at the gathering attended by many local JACL members.
• Making Our Move, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 10. Sakamoto reports on the EDC-MDC Convention in New York, praising co-chairs B.J. Watanabe and Ron Oshijima and a communications workshop led by Professor Joanie Yamauchi. He describes the establishment of the Mike Masaoka Fellow Fund, with several JACL members becoming founding Fellows through $1,000 contributions.

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