How census data was used against Nikkei, and the Nisei Week queen debate

Vol. 95, No. 15, October 8, 1982. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page carried Raymond Okamura’s report on historian John Toland’s book ‘Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath,’ which says President Roosevelt ordered the Census Bureau to compile the names and addresses of Japanese Americans eleven days before Pearl Harbor. The report also notes earlier disclosures by Michi Weglyn and William Hohri. Inside, the Commentary pages took up the controversy over mixed-ancestry Nisei Week queens, with Peter Imamura’s ‘Coming Home’ and Bill Marutani’s ‘Rashomon’ view, along with a column on the 60th anniversary of the SYNKOA Club.

Other pages include Herb Osaki’s letter urging JACL to oppose a voluntary prayer amendment, the Buddhist Churches of America’s resolution on the same bills, and Ford chairman Philip Caldwell’s testimony on car import quotas. Community news covered Barbara Marumoto’s appointment to an education council, John Saito’s report on employment discrimination cases, and Vernon Yoshioka’s plans for the 1983 JACL membership campaign.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

  • Government Used Census Data to Intern Nikkei, Says Toland, by Raymond Okamura, page 1. Historian John Toland’s book ‘Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath’ reveals that President Roosevelt ordered the Census Bureau to secretly compile names and addresses of Japanese Americans eleven days before Pearl Harbor. The Bureau’s confidentiality claims have been further discredited by this and earlier disclosures by researchers Michi Weglyn and William Hohri.

National

  • L.A. Nikkei Doctor Charged With Over-Prescribing Drugs, page 1. A Nikkei physician operating five weight control clinics in Los Angeles and Orange counties was arrested and charged with 19 felony counts for allegedly writing about 500 unwarranted prescriptions a month for controlled substances. The state Board of Medical Quality Assurance sought to enjoin him from practicing pending an administrative hearing to revoke his license.
  • House Subcommittee Probes Import Quotas, Trade Bills, page 1. Ford Motor Co. chairman Philip Caldwell testified before a House subcommittee opposing legislation setting quotas on car imports, preferring continued voluntary restraint by Japan. Ford also announced plans to establish a distribution network in Japan to sell cars under the Ford label.
  • BCA Opposes Bills on Voluntary Prayer, page 1. The Buddhist Churches of America National Board adopted a resolution opposing proposed constitutional amendments calling for voluntary prayer in public schools. The BCA called the bills an intervention by the state in personal religious matters and a violation of religious freedom for those of other faiths.
  • Cranston Lauds East Bay Housing, page 1. Senator Alan Cranston praised a Hayward, California rental housing project for low-income elderly residents that received a $5.59 million low-interest HUD loan. The project is the first Japanese American-sponsored housing development funded by HUD in Alameda or Contra Costa County.
  • Missionary Protests Japan Alien Law, page 1. Ronald Fujiiyoshi, a Japanese American missionary in Kobe, Japan, asked a judge to move his case to district court after being indicted for refusing fingerprinting required under Japan’s Alien Registration Law. He argued the practice violates the human rights of foreigners, particularly the 700,000 Koreans living in Japan.
  • U.S. Cycle Assn. Sues Japan Makers, page 1. The American Motorcyclists Association filed a $15 million antitrust suit against U.S. subsidiaries of three Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The suit alleges the companies conspired to boycott the AMA’s racing series and schedule a competing event.
  • Korean Merchants in Harlem Under Criticism From Blacks, page 1. Korean-owned businesses on 125th Street in Harlem face a boycott campaign led by the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which accuses them of exploiting the black community without providing jobs. Korean merchants deny the charges, saying most of their stores hire black employees and that discussions with local business associations have improved relations.

Community

  • Handicapped Couple Make Their Dreams Come True in Hawaii, page 2. Fumiko Zaitzu and Hideki Tanaka, both disabled, married in Hawaii during a cultural exchange basketball trip from Japan, overcoming parental objections and societal stigma against disabled people marrying. The couple hopes their marriage will encourage other disabled persons to find happiness.
  • Sansei Named to Education Post, page 2. President Reagan appointed Barbara Marumoto of the Hawaii House of Representatives to the Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education. Marumoto, interned as a child at Tanforan during WWII, testified before the Commission on Wartime Relocation in 1981 supporting redress.
  • Nikkei Named VP of E.F. Hutton in L.A., page 2. Herbert G. Kawahara, head of the Pacific South region of E.F. Hutton & Company, was named an executive vice president and elected to the firm’s board of directors. Kawahara, a UCLA graduate, began his career with Hutton in 1958 and has held multiple leadership roles since.
  • U.S.-Japan Exchange Program, page 2. Ten journalists from Japan and ten from the United States gathered at the East-West Center in Honolulu to exchange observations after visiting each other’s countries as part of the 1982 Japan-U.S. Journalist Exchange. Participants shared varied impressions on topics including gender roles, work ethic, and U.S.-Japan relations.
  • AP Women’s Network to Honor Fonda and Other ‘Warriors’, page 3. The Asian/Pacific Women’s Network will hold its Second Annual Women Warrior Awards reception honoring individuals for professional excellence and community service, including actress Jane Fonda and councilwoman Lily Lee Chen. The event will also feature a fashion showing by designer Irene Tsu.
  • SJ Buddhist Church to Fete 80th Yr., page 3. George Gentoku Shimamoto, the architect who oversaw construction of the San Jose Buddhist Church in 1937-38, will speak at the church’s 80th anniversary celebration. A $300,000 restoration plan will be launched in conjunction with the anniversary.
  • ESGV Center Sets Aki Matsuri Festival, page 3. The East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center will celebrate Aki Matsuri with entertainment, demonstrations, food and games. The event is scheduled for October 10 in West Covina.
  • Japan Univ. Women Offer Scholarships, page 3. The American Association of Japanese University Women is accepting applications for 1983 scholarships open to college undergraduates and graduate students. The organization promotes women’s education and international friendship.
  • Stockton HS Reunion, page 3. The Stockton High School class of 1937 will celebrate its 45th reunion at the Stockton Golf and Country Club. Richard K. Hayashi is listed as the contact for more information.
  • Media Assn. Plans Program Series, page 3. The National Asian American Telecommunications Association’s Asian American Program Series, funded by a three-year Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant, will produce television and radio programs on Asian American themes. The series seeks additional quality radio material from interested contributors.
  • Berkeley Autumn Fest Slated Oct. 16-17, page 3. The Berkeley Asian Community Autumn Festival will feature Bay Area performers and musicians including Collage, Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, and George Yoshida’s Sentimental Journey jazz group. Cultural performances include taiko, lion dance, and martial arts demonstrations.
  • Buddhist Retreat Slated Oct. 22-24, page 3. The Fourth Nembutsu Retreat sponsored by the Buddhist Churches of America will be held at the Oakland Buddhist Temple. The retreat is scheduled for October 22-24.
  • Ventura JACL Sets ‘J-Town’ Film, page 6. The Ventura County JACL will show the films ‘Crusin’ J-Town’ and ‘Pieces of a Dream’ at the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club. The event is scheduled for October 22.
  • Placer JACL Hosts Goodwill Dinner, page 6. The Placer County JACL will host its 42nd annual Goodwill Dinner at the Placer Buddhist Church Hall. The event is scheduled for November 6.
  • Carson Gift Sale, page 6. The Carson JACL will hold a warehouse chinaware and gift sale in Torrance. The sale is scheduled for the weekend of October 30-31.

Sports

  • AVAC to Honor Asian Athletes, page 2. California Secretary of State March Fong Eu and L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley joined a luncheon for the Asian American Voluntary Action Center to promote a fundraiser honoring Asian American sports champions. Olympic diving gold medalist Dr. Sammy Lee and jockey George Taniguchi were highlighted at the event.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Japan Comedy Film Slated by USJCCC, page 3. Screenings of the popular Japanese comedy film series ‘Otoko wa Tsuraiyo Tonderu Tora san’ will be shown at the Little Tokyo Service Center, hosted by the U.S.-Japan Cross Culture Center. The screenings are scheduled for October 8, 9 and 10.
  • Performing Arts at Seattle Nippon Kan, page 3. The Asian Multimedia Center will sponsor dance and musical performances at the Nippon Kan Theatre in Seattle. Fujima Fujimine will perform contemporary and classical dance, while Aya Sakoda will play traditional koto and shamisen.
  • CSULB to Present Cold Tofu, Akazaru, page 3. A show called ‘Variations’ will feature the Cold Tofu improvisational comedy group and the Akazaru Art Ensemble at CSU Long Beach’s Theatre. Akazaru, making its debut, combines dance, mime and audio-visual effects, while Cold Tofu offers Asian American comedic perspectives.
  • Asian Film Fest Tours Bay Area, page 3. The Asian American International Film Festival continues its West Coast tour at the Pacific Film Archives, featuring a Sessue Hayakawa retrospective and a Bay Area Filmmakers Night. Films include ‘Chan is Missing,’ ‘Tattoo City,’ and ‘Sewing Woman.’

Obituaries

  • In Loving Memory of Mrs. Mitsue Yoshino, page 3. Mitsue Yoshino, 96, one of the last Japanese pioneers of Alameda, died September 17, 1982, after decades of devoted membership in the Buena Vista United Methodist Church and the Alameda JACL chapter. She was remembered by grandsons at her memorial service and had received the Japanese American Chamber of Commerce Mother of the Year Award in 1975.

Commentary

  • Coming Home, by Peter Imamura, page 4. Editor Peter Imamura reflects on the controversy over ‘Eurasian’ Nisei Week queens in light of Amerasian children from Vietnam finally being recognized as U.S. citizens and allowed to immigrate. He notes the irony that the Japanese American community bickers over mixed ancestry while these forgotten children simply seek acceptance and happiness in America.
  • Textbook Controversy Letter, by G.N. Asawa, page 4. A letter writer criticizes JACL’s apathetic stance on the Japanese textbook controversy, arguing that the organization should protest to the Japanese government to revise textbooks immediately. The writer contends that as an organization of Nikkei, JACL has a responsibility to address the concerns raised by Korean and Chinese protesters.
  • Takahashi Dismissal Letter, by Marlene Tanioka, page 4. A Livingston-Merced JACL board member expresses surprise at the chapter’s sudden shift from neutrality regarding the Mitsue Takahashi case against the Livingston School District. The writer praises Takahashi’s character and credentials and argues the school district acted with insufficient sensitivity.
  • Voluntary Prayer Letter, by Herb Osaki, page 4. The president of the Buddhist Churches of America urges National JACL to oppose President Reagan’s proposed constitutional amendment allowing voluntary prayer in public schools. He cites the First Amendment and Supreme Court rulings from 1962 and 1963 as precedent against such measures.
  • On Ancestry Letter, by Margaret O’Brien Takahashi, page 4. A letter writer corrects a previous claim that all persons of Japanese ancestry were incarcerated during WWII, citing specific Army guidelines from Bill Hosokawa’s book that exempted certain mixed-ancestry individuals and families. She notes her own sister remained in Los Angeles during the war without restrictions.
  • SYNKOA Club’s 60th Anniversary, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Columnist Bill Marutani recounts the history of the Japanese Students Club at the University of Washington, founded in 1922 by Issei to provide community for Nisei students facing social isolation on campus. The building was later sold to the university and the club, renamed SYNKOA House, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in a new building constructed on the site.
  • A ‘Rashomon’ View of Nisei Week Queens, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani examines three viewpoints on the Nisei Week Queen controversy over mixed-ancestry contestants, comparing it to the ‘Rashomon’ principle where each perspective holds validity. He concludes that part-Nikkei contestants reflect an authentic blending of American and Japanese culture, while calling for diverse representation among pageant judges.
  • Discrimination, by John Saito, page 8. A JACL Pacific Southwest regional report describes employment discrimination cases handled by the office, including a terminated secretary referred to Little Tokyo Service Center and the long-running Alice Nehira vs. Northrop class action case. The report also covers the ongoing Dr. Thomas Noguchi demotion hearing and JACL’s support for a fair hearing in that case.

In-Depth

  • 35 Years Ago in the Pacific Citizen, page 4. A historical roundup of news items from October 1947 covers topics including British Columbia evacuees, anti-alien fishing law challenges, Amvets supporting naturalization of Japanese residents, and revelations of a secret loyalty file on Japanese Americans. Other items include a Nisei woman named to a federal grand jury and plans for an RKO film about WWII reburials.

Military & Veterans

  • Seattle Church Heads for Japan Museum, page 6. Seattle’s Japanese Evangelical Church, originally the home of Issei Kaichiro ‘Jack’ Yasutake, will be dismantled and sent to the Meiji-mura Museum near Nagoya, Japan as North America’s only contribution. Yasutake, a former INS employee, was ironically detained during WWII at the same building where he once worked before being sent to internment camps.

JACL

  • Membership Campaign, by Vernon Yoshioka, page 8. JACL’s 1983 Membership Campaign planning is complete, with a goal of increasing each chapter’s membership by five percent over 1981 or 1982 levels. Materials including a new membership brochure will be mailed to chapter presidents by mid-November, with the campaign itself scheduled for January 1983.

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