Vol. 113, No. 5, August 30, 1991. 12 pages. View this issue
The investigation of the killing of nine Thai Buddhists in Arizona led the news. Rep. Norman Mineta urged authorities to look into the murders as a possible hate crime, and Thai Buddhist temples nationwide were advised to lock their doors overnight. Nearly 300 people gathered in Los Angeles to remember Mike Masaoka, with tributes from Togo Tanaka, Norman Mineta and Bill Hosokawa, as reported by Harry Honda. The Chicago JACL board voted to oppose Clarence Thomas’s Supreme Court nomination, and the Redress administration announced that the next checks were due in October.
Elsewhere in these 12 pages: Patricia Saiki spoke on business opportunities, and Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi asked Japan to apologize for Pearl Harbor. Commentary came from Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani, and a couple wrote about visiting the 442nd Regimental Combat Team cemetery in Epinal, France. Chapter news, scholarship luncheons, newsmakers and travel tips from Tyler Tanaka round out the issue.
What’s in this issue
National
- Full Investigation of Arizona Killings Urged, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta urged Arizona authorities to investigate the murders of nine Thai Buddhists as a possible hate crime, citing fear among Asian Americans in the region. Thai Buddhist temples nationwide have been advised to lock their doors overnight, breaking with tradition, until a motive is established.
- Opportunities Exist in Business, Says SBA Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Patricia Saiki, head of the Small Business Administration, told a tri-district conference audience that the outlook for Asian and Pacific Islander businesses is strong, citing billions in economic contributions. She emphasized growing opportunities in international trade and exporting for Asian American entrepreneurs.
- Justice Official Promises Ongoing Fight for Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Assistant Attorney General addressed a Philadelphia conference, expressing the Justice Department’s continued commitment to supporting the Japanese American community. He won over the audience by recounting a story related to JACL members and pledged continued work for justice for Asian Americans.
- Japan Should Apologize for Pearl Harbor, Says Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi wrote to the President inviting Japanese officials to Pearl Harbor 50th anniversary ceremonies, but only if they agree to formally apologize. Japanese officials responded that the entire world was responsible for the war and made no comment on the invitation.
- Minority Groups Sue Over Census Adjustment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Black and Asian minority groups filed suit in U.S. District Court in Sacramento seeking to prevent redistricting until an adjustment is made for the undercount in the 1990 Census. Asians were reportedly undercounted at a rate of 3.1 percent in California, which has a total Asian population of 2,845,659.
- Dan Komai of Washington, D.C., Files First Job Bias Redress Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dan Komai filed what is believed to be the first job discrimination redress claim related to wartime treatment, according to the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Komai was reportedly forced from his government clerk job shortly after Pearl Harbor and was unable to find employment commensurate with his education for years afterward.
Incarceration & Redress
- Final Tributes Paid to Mike Masaoka in Los Angeles, by Harry Honda, Senior Editor, page 1. Nearly 300 people attended a memorial service for Mike Masaoka at Westwood United Methodist Church, including tributes from Togo Tanaka, Cressey Nakagawa, Norman Mineta, Bill Hosokawa, Jerry Enomoto, and Dr. Harold Harada. Speakers recounted Masaoka’s role fighting for Japanese American rights during and after World War II, including his work forming the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
- Next Redress Checks Due for Evacuees at Least 63 Years Old, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The redress administration announced that evacuees born between July 1, 1920 and Dec. 31, 1927 will receive payments in October, with over 21,000 already verified as eligible. Those who received letters of potential eligibility were reminded to respond by Sept. 6.
JACL
- Chicago JACL Board Opposes Thomas Nomination to U.S. Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL chapter board of directors unanimously voted to oppose Clarence Thomas’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chapter president David K. Sakura cited concerns over Thomas’s public opposition to affirmative action as a necessary tool to combat discrimination.
- Nisei Week Honors JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL President Cressey Nakagawa accepted the 1991 Nisei Week Japanese Festival Award for Distinguished Community Service on behalf of the organization. The award recognized JACL’s achievements benefiting the Nikkei community, with attendees including business representatives from Japan.
Community
- Cleveland JACL Honors Scholarship Recipients, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Several students were honored at the 35th annual Cleveland JACL scholarship luncheon, including Michael Akiyama, Dustin Ichida, and others recognized for academic and extracurricular achievements. The chapter also raised funds through a Legacy Fund initiative discussed by co-president Dr. Elsie Taniguchi.
- Watsonville Chapter News, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Watsonville JACL chapter sponsored an information booth at the annual Mexican Independence Day Fourth of July Festival in downtown Watsonville. Scholarship recipients Irene Fujii and a Kaneko family member were also recognized for their academic accomplishments.
- Newsmakers: Konishi Wins Japan Biology Award, Tanaka Elected to Whittier Board, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Cal Tech professor Mark Konishi received Japan’s 1990 International Prize for Biology from Emperor Akihito in a Tokyo ceremony. Togo Tanaka was elected to the Whittier College board of trustees, and other community members were recognized for athletic and professional achievements.
- Sen. Inouye Receives Truman Distinguished Service Award, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Sen. Daniel Inouye received the Harry S. Truman Distinguished Service Award for 1991 from the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. The award recognized his outstanding support for higher education and legislative interest in the field.
Commentary
- If You Missed Meeting the Ambassador, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the low turnout of Japanese Americans at an event featuring the Japanese ambassador to the United States, speculating about competing priorities in community members’ lives. He lists various categories of interests — family, church, volunteer work, sports, and community involvement — that might explain the absence.
- Sitting, Japanese Style, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani writes about the tradition of tatami seating in Japanese restaurants and the physical challenges of sitting in the seiza and agura positions. He discusses how etiquette rules for women’s sitting posture have relaxed in Japan due to changing fashion and physical stature over generations.
- Couple Pays Respect at 442 Cemetery, by Russell and Wilhelmina (Quartz Hill, Calif.), page 6. A letter from a couple describing their 1987 visit to the Epinal cemetery in France, the resting place of over 5,000 American servicemen from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. They describe the well-maintained cemetery and their emotional visit to pay respects to fallen Japanese American soldiers.
- Remembering a Nikkei’s Life and Writing, page 6. A letter writer recalls meeting a gifted Nikkei writer in the mid-1980s, noting his background as a graduate journalist and his accomplished wife. The writer reflects on the subject’s career as an athlete and longtime employee of a regional dairy company.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Receives Commendation, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bob Drew, VFW 17th District commander, presented a commendation recognizing efforts in defeating anti-Japanese measures at national conventions. Nisei Tanaka of Sacramento VFW Nisei Post was honored for the achievement.
- Last Japanese POW in U.S. Reunited with MIS Vet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kazuo Sakamaki, the last surviving Japanese POW held in the U.S. during WWII, was reunited with a Military Intelligence Service veteran after 45 years. Registration is also open for the MIS 50th anniversary reunion in October, coordinated by the MIS/Northern California group.
In-Depth
- All About Discounted Air Tickets, by Tyler Tanaka, page 9. Tyler Tanaka answers frequently asked questions about discounted air tickets, advising travelers to shop around and compare prices for the best bargains. He warns that suspiciously cheap domestic tickets not offered directly by an airline could be stolen property, and discusses consolidator tickets for international travel.
Sports
- Fishing’s Hot in New Zealand, by P.C. Staff, page 9. An article promotes New Zealand as a top fishing destination, noting March is an ideal month for ocean and fresh water fishing during New Zealand’s summer season. It encourages readers to begin planning 1992 fishing trips.
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