New Year edition: Emperor Hirohito’s death and the first redress budget

Vol. 108, No. 1, January 6, 1989. 20 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen’s New Year edition for 1989 led with the death of Emperor Hirohito at 87 and the accession of Crown Prince Akihito to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Its other front-page stories turned to redress: President Reagan’s budget set aside only $20 million for payments in fiscal year 1990, and Carole Hayashino and Rita Takahashi reported on it, while Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui criticized the amount. The front page also reported that the Go For Broke National Veterans Association is being incorporated to promote a Washington, D.C. memorial to Japanese American veterans. On page 2, JACL-LEC’s letter to the Office of Redress Administration urged a broad reading of eligibility under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Inside are a 1988 chronology and a list of the year’s deaths, with Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani among the columnists. Sue Kunitomi Embrey reviewed a new book of Ansel Adams’ Manzanar photographs, and a profile traced the career of sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Three pages carry holiday greetings.

What’s in this issue

National

• Son Rises to Throne: Japan’s Emperor Hirohito Dead at 87, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Emperor Hirohito died at age 87 of duodenal cancer, ending the 62-year Showa era and bringing Crown Prince Akihito to the Chrysanthemum Throne as the new Emperor of the Heisei era. Akihito pledged to uphold Japan’s postwar constitution and continue his father’s dedication to peace, with a state funeral scheduled for Feb. 24.
• Congressmembers Warn Census Bureau to Honor Its Commitment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Robert Matsui and Senators Daniel Inouye and Pete Wilson warned Census Bureau Director John Keane that Congress would act if rumors proved true that the bureau would renege on its commitment to list Asian American sub-groups on the 1990 census form. They warned that reprinting forms without the subgroups would be costly to taxpayers.
• Judge Rules Parts of McCarran-Walter Act Unconstitutional, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Federal Judge Stephen Wilson ruled that key parts of the 1952 McCarran-Walter Act are unconstitutional in the ‘L.A. Eight Deportation Case,’ extending First Amendment free speech rights to non-citizens. The case involved seven Palestinians and a Kenyan accused of supporting the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
• Hirohito Continued: Reagan Calls Emperor’s Era One of Reconciliation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. President Reagan issued a statement calling Emperor Hirohito’s era one of unprecedented reconciliation between the US and Japan. Meanwhile in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, business continued as usual despite the emperor’s death, with some stores displaying mourning ribbons and the Japanese Consulate receiving condolences.
• Ishikawa, Son of Nikkei Judge, Pleads Innocent of Fraud, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kevin Ishikawa, son of King County Superior Court Judge Richard Ishikawa, pleaded innocent to bank fraud charges in Seattle federal court. All seven federal judges in the Western District of Washington recused themselves from the case due to the judge’s connection.
• Mexican Nikkei Gets Cabinet Post, by Enrique Shibayama, page 3. Dr. Jesus Kumate-Rodriguez was named Secretary of Health in Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari’s cabinet, becoming the first Mexican Nikkei to hold a cabinet position. The appointment came on a date marking exactly 100 years since Japan and Mexico signed a trade treaty.
• Radio Station Disallows Criticism of Offensive Ad, Veteran Broadcaster Machado Quits Gig, by P.C. Staff, page 18. Broadcaster Mario Machado resigned from KRLA radio after the station removed his on-air criticism of commercials deemed offensive to Asian Americans, including Continental Airlines’ ‘fare samurai’ campaign. Machado said he took a stand on principles important to him despite the professional consequences.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Vets’ Group to Build Monument in Washington, D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Go For Broke National Veterans Association is being formally incorporated to promote building a war memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring Japanese American WWII veterans, with plans tied to the 1993 Fiftieth Anniversary of the 442nd’s activation. A final organizing meeting is planned for mid-April 1989 in Los Angeles.
• Hawaii VA Hospital Plans Under Study, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Spark Matsunaga announced that the Veterans Administration approved $3 million for initial planning of a Hawaii veterans hospital. Matsunaga called it good news for Hawaii’s 110,000 veterans while cautioning it was only an initial step.

Incarceration & Redress

• Only $20 Million in Redress Budgeted for FY 1990, by Carole Hayashino and Rita Takahashi, page 1. President Reagan’s final budget proposal allocated only $20 million for redress payments in FY 1990, enough for just 1,000 eligible former internees, drawing disappointment from JACL-LEC leaders. Grant Ujifusa urged community members to write to President-elect Bush and lobby Congress for increased appropriations.
• Congressmen Slam Redress Appropriations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui criticized President Reagan’s budget for allocating only $20 million for redress payments, calling it inadequate and inconsistent with his earlier promises. Matsui said at that rate, payments would take 60 years to complete instead of the mandated 10-year period.
• JACL-LEC Submits Position on Redress to the ORA, Urges Broad Interpretation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL-LEC submitted a 22-page letter to the Department of Justice’s Office of Redress Administration urging broad interpretation of eligibility provisions under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The letter identified nine categories of potential redress recipients who should be made eligible, including those affected outside restricted zones and military personnel subjected to race-based treatment.
• Over 36,000 Contact Office of Redress Administration via Telephone, Mail, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Department of Justice’s Office of Redress Administration reported receiving more than 36,000 contacts seeking to locate eligible Japanese Americans for redress payments. The ORA’s temporary San Francisco office closed after successfully reaching its outreach goals in the West Coast region.
• Meeting with ORA’s Head Scheduled in D.C./Baltimore Area, by P.C. Staff, page 9. ORA Executive Director Bob Bratt will meet with Washington D.C. and Baltimore area residents on Jan. 26, 1989, to discuss redress eligibility. Previous community meetings have helped identify thousands of potentially eligible persons for compensation.

Community

• News in Brief, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several community news items are reported including the firing of a San Francisco Nikkei police officer for involvement with a teenage prostitute, a $9,923 donation to JACCC from the Japan Business Association Women’s Committee, naturalization of 1,300 Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles, and availability of Canadian redress application forms for Japanese Canadians.
• 1989 PANA Convention All Set for Los Angeles July 20-23, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The fifth biennial PANA (Pan American Nikkei Association) convention will be hosted in Los Angeles July 20-23, 1989, with delegates expected from the US, Mexico, Canada, and several South American countries. The convention theme is ‘No Man Is an Island,’ reflecting PANA’s goals of promoting Japanese cultural heritage and fostering friendship among Nikkei in the Americas.
• Vincent Chin Grant Recipients Named, by P.C. Staff, page 17. The Asian Foundation for Community Development announced recipients of its first Vincent Chin Memorial Grants, aimed at reducing anti-Asian violence and improving inter-group relations in Northern California. Grant recipients include the Berkeley Asian Youth Center and Japanese American Curriculum Project.
• Japan Visit by Seattle JACL Chapter President Roger Shimizu an Eye Opener, by Roger Shimizu, page 18. Seattle JACL President Roger Shimizu describes his 11-day trip to Japan with his wife, highlighting reunions with relatives and friends, observations about Japan’s economic affluence, and comparisons to his earlier residence there in the 1970s. He reflects on Japan’s technological advancement and courteous culture compared to American cities.
• Seminar on Civil Rights Awareness Given for Japanese Corporations Operating in U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 18. The Japan Pacific Research Network sponsored a seminar to promote civil rights awareness among Japanese corporations operating in the US, covering federal and state employment discrimination laws. Over 30 participants from Japanese companies attended, showing interest in complying with equal employment regulations.
• New Meeting Set for Nakajo and SFSU, by P.C. Staff, page 18. Steve Nakajo, who filed a grievance against San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department, will meet again with university representatives after an earlier meeting reached an impasse over representation issues. The grievance concerns improper notification of changes to his lecturing status.
• JASEB’s Cookbook Available to Public, by P.C. Staff, page 18. The Japanese American Services of the East Bay published a 431-page Asian cookbook featuring recipes and a watercolor cover by Issei artist Mrs. Moto Tani. Proceeds from the cookbook sales will support special services for the elderly.

JACL

• JACL and JACL-LEC Present American Legion with Plaques, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Arthur T. Morimitsu presented plaques honoring the National American Legion and Illinois Department on behalf of JACL-LEC and the JACL Veterans Affairs Committee at a Chicago ceremony. The plaques recognized the Legion’s support for the commission bill and redress resolution dating back to 1980.
• Sac’to 1989 JACL Officers Installed, by Toko Fujii, page 18. Sacramento JACL installed its 1989 officers including incoming president Lon Hatamiya at a ceremony featuring national JACL president Cressey Nakagawa as guest speaker. The event recognized award-winning students and included reports on redress efforts and JACL’s future needs.

Commentary

• A Place in History, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial reflects on Emperor Hirohito’s death and his role as a symbol of national unity and stability for the Japanese people despite his renunciation of divinity after WWII. The editorial extends condolences to the Japanese people on behalf of those whose roots trace back to Japan.
• New Year’s Tardy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial explains why the Pacific Citizen’s Holiday Issue was delivered later than intended, citing staff shortages and the issue being the largest in the paper’s history at 128 pages. The editorial also discusses the importance of advertising revenue in sustaining the newspaper throughout the year.
• Berkeley’s Nikkei Vice Chancellor, by Marshall Sumida, page 4. This column discusses the appointment of a Nikkei vice chancellor at UC Berkeley who faces challenges navigating sensitive issues like South African divestment and minority enrollment. The column reflects on the philosophical approach needed for such a position and the broader implications for liberal educational institutions.
• History and the Full Story, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa critiques a new reference book, The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, for containing factual errors and superficial treatment of the Japanese American internment experience, noting it incorrectly credits the Japanese air force rather than navy for Pearl Harbor. He argues that brief historical references can be dangerous and that deeper understanding requires probing into details.
• The Yasui Clan, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani writes about meeting members of the prominent Yasui family from Hood River, Oregon, including Minoru Yasui and his siblings, highlighting their contributions and resilience during the WWII evacuation. He recommends Bob Yasui’s new book documenting the family’s history, including poignant stories like Michi Yasui’s wait to see her family’s evacuation train.
• Letters to the Editor, by Various, page 5. This page compiles multiple letters to the editor debating credit for the redress legislation’s passage, including a dispute between Shig Wakamatsu and Donna Kotake over the roles of JACL-LEC, Mike Masaoka, and grassroots organizing. Other letters address law professors’ concerns about a JACL resolution regarding Supreme Court cases, congratulations from international organizations, and suggestions for redress fund usage.
• Redress Means Time for Reflection, by Katsuko Shimamoto, page 9. Katsuko Shimamoto reflects on the passage of redress legislation and shares a personal anecdote about a Brazilian stranger who knew about Japanese American redress during a trip to South America. She reminisces about the psychological profile of Japanese Americans during the WWII incarceration period and how redress has prompted reflection on past injustices.

Arts & Entertainment

• A War Story for Posterity: A Rich Collection of World War II History, by Advertisement/Contributing Editor, page 6. This piece reviews John Tsukano’s book ‘Bridge of Love,’ which chronicles the story of Japanese American soldiers in WWII including the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regiment. The book combines personal narratives, photographs, and historical documents to capture the experience of AJA soldiers and the Issei parents who supported them.
• Sticks and Stones and Zazen, by T.K. Nagano and Jonathan Lamal, page 15. This article profiles Japan-born sculptor Shigeo Miura, whose wood and gold leaf sculptures were exhibited at the Rico Gallery in Los Angeles. Miura, son of a carpenter to Emperor Hirohito, creates art through a Zen-influenced process of discovering forms within wood.

In-Depth

• 1988 Chronology, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This extensive chronology covers major Japanese American community events throughout 1988, including the passage and signing of the Civil Liberties Act (redress bill), the JACL national convention and presidential election, and controversies involving Rolling Stone magazine and Daniel Lungren’s nomination. It also documents numerous community events, legal cases, and deaths throughout the year.
• Isamu Noguchi, 84, Decorated Plazas and Buildings, by P.C. Staff, page 16. This piece details the extensive career of sculptor Isamu Noguchi, whose works grace plazas and buildings worldwide including Seattle, Detroit, New York, and Jerusalem. The article also recounts Noguchi’s personal history during WWII, including his voluntary move to the Poston relocation center where he worked on landscaping and community planning.
• A Critical Look at Manzanar: A Flawed Book with Ansel Adams’ Photos, by Sue Kunitomi Embrey, page 17. Sue Kunitomi Embrey critiques the new book ‘Manzanar: Photographs of Ansel Adams’ for its poorly reproduced photographs and text that lacks the passion and historical context found in other works about Japanese American incarceration. She notes factual and terminology errors, including the authors’ problematic use of ‘Nisei’ and downplaying of psychological damage from the camps.

Obituaries

• 1988 Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This obituary listing documents numerous notable Japanese American deaths in 1988, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi, restaurateur Reiko Weston, and various community leaders, veterans, and professionals. Each entry provides brief biographical details about the deceased’s accomplishments and community involvement.
• Deaths: Fukuyama, Hanashiro, Sonoda, by P.C. Staff, page 16. This section provides obituaries for three community members: Rev. Tsutomu Tom Fukuyama, a chaplain and clergyman; Seico Hanashiro, a journalist and WWII veteran; and Dr. Kiyoshi Sonoda, a longtime dentist and JACL member. Each obituary details their careers, military service, and surviving family members.

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