Vol. 114, No. 23, June 12, 1992. 8 pages. View this issue
Japan-bashing ran through much of this eight-page issue. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi wrote to H. Ross Perot asking for an apology after remarks about Japanese people in a television interview. Gwen Muranaka reported from a Los Angeles conference on political correctness and Japan-bashing, where Chalmers Johnson, Glen Fukushima, Pat Choate and Michael Crichton debated how terms like “racism” should be used. Harry K. Honda covered the June 2 California primaries, including congressional hopefuls Mark Takano and Jay Kim.
The commentary page also turned to the same subject. William Hohri questioned a casting call for a film of Crichton’s novel Rising Sun. Bill Hosokawa described a Memorial Day weekend gathering at the site of the Amache camp in Colorado, and Bill Marutani wrote about Taiwanese veterans’ claims against Japan. The JACL section listed candidates for national vice president and National Youth Council chair, and Clifford Uyeda wrote about the editorial independence of the Pacific Citizen.
What’s in this issue
National
- Asian American Inroads in California Primaries, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. A number of Asian American candidates and allies fared well in the June 2 California primaries, including congressional hopefuls Mark Takano and Jay Kim who advanced without incumbents in their districts. The article details vote totals and prospects for several Nikkei and Asian American candidates across the state’s newly expanded congressional map.
- JACL Protests Perot Racial Comment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi sent a letter to presidential hopeful H. Ross Perot demanding an apology for derogatory remarks about Japanese people made during a television interview. Hayashi warned that such rhetoric fuels Japan-bashing and racial backlash against Japanese Americans.
- ‘Bashing,’ ‘Racism’ Terms Not Always Used Right, Experts Say, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. At a Los Angeles conference on ‘Political Correctness and Japan-bashing,’ experts including Chalmers Johnson, Glen Fukushima, Pat Choate, and author Michael Crichton debated the appropriate use of terms like ‘racism’ and ‘Japan-bashing’ in discussing U.S.-Japan relations. Speakers disagreed on whether criticism of Japan constitutes racism, with some warning that Asian Americans become targets of resulting backlash.
- Conference Speakers Debate Japan-Bashing and Race, by Gwen Muranaka, page 3. Continuing coverage of the Los Angeles conference on Japan-bashing, with speakers Kiuchi criticizing Japanese nationals in the U.S. for insularity and Michael Crichton defending his novel Rising Sun against accusations of racism. The panelists debated whether economic tensions or racial bigotry underlie growing hostility between the U.S. and Japan.
- Judge Denies Retrial for Officer Who Killed Samoan Brothers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Compton Superior Court judge refused to order a new trial for police officer Albert Skiles Jr., who was accused of fatally shooting two Samoan brothers 19 times. The victims’ family plans to petition the U.S. State Department for federal civil rights charges against Skiles.
JACL
- Candidates for National JACL Offices Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article lists candidates running for various JACL national vice president positions and National Youth Council chair, including their backgrounds and chapter affiliations. Candidates include Neal Taniguchi, William Kaneko, Floyd Mori, Trisha Murakawa, Alan Nishi, Kim Tachiki, and Kim Nakahara.
Community
- St. Louis Nikkei Honored for Global Work, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Hasegawa was honored with the 1992 International Citizenship Award in St. Louis for strengthening the community’s global ties through the Japan America Society. He also received Japan’s Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class, for promoting friendship between the U.S. and Japan.
- PSW JACL Says City Charter Amendment Is Discriminatory, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Southwest JACL office protested passage of Los Angeles Charter Amendment G, the ‘Local Content Requirement,’ saying it could lead to discriminatory business practices and fuel xenophobia. Regional director Jimmy Tokeshi said the measure was vague and risked discrimination against businesses with foreign-sounding names.
- Elections Roundup: Asian American Candidates Across the West, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. A detailed roundup of Asian American candidates in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Illinois primary races, including wins and losses for JACL-affiliated candidates like Patrick Johnston, Nao Takasugi, and Diane Martinez’s opponent Sophie Wong. The piece also covers a failed Hacienda Heights cityhood measure and Oakland councilman Frank Ogawa’s reelection.
Commentary
- East Wind: An Afternoon at Amache, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa recounts a Memorial Day weekend gathering at the site of the former Amache relocation camp in Colorado, where over 200 former internees and friends returned for the 50th anniversary of their exile. The column describes the camp cemetery, memorial markers restored by the Central Denver Optimists Club, and a monument to servicemen who died in World War II.
- Asian Redress: Taiwanese Veterans’ Claims Against Japan, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani discusses a Japanese Supreme Court ruling denying compensation claims by Taiwanese veterans conscripted into the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War II, contrasting this with ongoing efforts by Korean ‘comfort women’ seeking redress. He argues the ruling could adversely affect other non-Japanese Asian claims against Japan.
- Rising Sun Movie: Ultimate Bash?, by William Hohri, page 6. William Hohri criticizes a casting call for a film adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel Rising Sun, arguing the story exploits anti-Japanese racism through its depiction of a Japanese conspiracy to economically conquer America. He urges Asian American performers to consider the novel’s content before participating and calls for boycott or protest.
- JACL Heading Wrong Way on PC Policy, by Clifford Uyeda, page 6. Former JACL National President Clifford Uyeda responds to a prior article about Pacific Citizen’s editorial independence, citing a 1984 constitutional amendment establishing that PC is responsible to the National Board and Council rather than the National Director alone. He argues an independent PC serves as the best safeguard against intimidation within the organization.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.