1990 JACL convention preview, redress payments and civil rights

Vol. 110, No. 21, June 1, 1990. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress and the JACL convention in San Diego led the news in this 12-page issue. Robert K. Bratt, director of the Office of Redress Administration, told gatherings in Oxnard and Ventura County that the first settlement checks were planned to be mailed by October 1990. Five candidates filed for national JACL office, and the paper printed platforms from Cressey Nakagawa, Priscilla Anne Ouchida, William M. Kaneko, Kimberlee Tachiki and Trisha S. Murakawa. On the front page, President Bush met with JACL and other groups on civil rights legislation, and Denny Yasuhara previewed the convention’s U.S.-Japan Workshop.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about waribashi chopsticks and Bill Marutani about nikkei moving from South America to Japan for work. Four pieces on page 5 responded to the beating of two Japanese students in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Other stories covered a memorial marker for more than 600 unidentified Japanese remains in Sacramento, the film Come See the Paradise, and Rep. Robert Matsui’s remarks on Asian American political involvement.

What’s in this issue

National

• White House Hears JACL Views on Civil Rights Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Bush met with JACL and other civil rights, religious and political organization representatives at the White House regarding the Civil Rights Act of 1990, which would overturn Supreme Court decisions limiting job discrimination victims’ rights. JACL Washington Representative Paul Igasaki voiced strong support for the Act, while the Bush administration has withheld full support favoring a narrower bill.
• Japanese Candidate Loses in East Berlin, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chihoko Nakata, a 47-year-old Japanese soprano singer, was defeated in East Berlin’s local election held on May 12. She was believed to be the first Japanese citizen to run as a candidate in a European local election.
• Bush Urges Rep. Saiki to Seek Matsunaga’s Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle are urging Rep. Patricia Saiki (R-Hawaii) to run for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the late Spark Matsunaga. Saiki, the first Republican to represent Hawaii in the House, met with Bush and Quayle at the White House this month.
• Spark’s Son Considers Running for U.S. House, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Matthew Matsunaga, the 31-year-old son of the late Sen. Spark Matsunaga, is considering running for a U.S. House seat this fall. Both Hawaii House seats may open up as incumbents Akaka and Saiki are expected to vie for the Senate seat.
• Yale Administrator Speaks on Asian American Activism, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Jack Koichi Hasegawa, a Yale University administrator and authority on racism and cultural diversity, addressed Asian American students at Wesleyan University about the importance of Asian American activism. He warned that anti-Japanese sentiment in America echoes the hysteria that led to the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
• The Newsmakers, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Jun Mori and Dr. Robert Watanabe became the first two Asian Pacific Americans to win UCLA Alumni Awards in the same year, recognized for their professional achievements and community involvement. Also noted is Fairfield councilman Garry Ichikawa’s re-election victory with 6,334 votes.
• Asian Americans Exhorted to Enter Political Arena, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Robert Matsui told a Boston conference of Asian Americans that political involvement is necessary for full assimilation into American society. He noted that established Asian immigrant groups made economic gains in the 1980s but faced stereotyping as lacking leadership talent.
• New Translation Service to Assist Japanese Travelers Who Visit the U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Japanese Assistance Network (JAN) launched a translation service designed to help the over 4 million Japanese travelers visiting the U.S. annually, starting in Los Angeles with plans for nationwide expansion. The service uses a two-handset telephone system connecting hotel guests with bilingual translators, partnering with major hotel chains and travel companies.

Incarceration & Redress

• ORA Director Bratt Updates Redress Progress at Oxnard Meet, by Harry Kajihara, page 1. Nearly 150 people gathered in Oxnard, Calif., to hear ORA Director Robert K. Bratt provide the latest information on redress payments and answer questions. Bratt reported that 99.9% of redress eligibles have been identified, with 19,000 verified so far, and outlined plans for the first settlement checks to be mailed by October 1990.
• Marker Planned for 600 Unknown Japanese Reburied from Old Sacramento Cemetery, by Toko Fujii, page 3. In 1955-56 Sacramento dug up the New Helvetia Cemetery to build a junior high school, reinterring over 600 unidentified Japanese remains in a common grave at East Lawn Memorial Park. Sacramento JACL and Sacramento Nikkei Jin Kai plan to dedicate a memorial marker at the site in August.
• Bratt Speaks to Ventura County Attendees, by Harry Kajihara, page 7. ORA Director Bob Bratt clarified redress eligibility rules, noting that individuals conceived in camp but born after release would not qualify. Ventura County JACL presented Bratt with an appreciation plaque, and he spoke one-on-one with about 30 individuals with specific concerns.

JACL

• Five Candidates File for National JACL Offices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five individuals submitted nomination forms for the 1990 JACL elections, including Cressey Nakagawa for National President and Priscilla Ouchida for VP/General Operations. Several offices, including Treasurer/Secretary and VP/Membership, had no candidates file by the deadline.
• Outstanding Convention Panel on U.S.-Japan Workshop Set, by Denny Yasuhara, page 1. The 1990 JACL Convention’s U.S.-Japan Workshop will feature panelists Glen S. Fukushima, Susan S. Mochizuki, Dr. Sheila K. Johnson, and Dr. Kenneth A. Oye discussing ‘U.S.-Japan: Today and Tomorrow.’ The panel, moderated by National JACL president Cressey Nakagawa, will be held June 19 at the San Diego Princess Resort.
• Platform of Cressey H. Nakagawa, by Cressey Nakagawa, page 7. National JACL presidential candidate Cressey Nakagawa outlines his platform focusing on protecting redress entitlement funding, combating anti-Japanese sentiment, and developing the JACL Legacy Fund. His goals include increasing fundraising, improving Pacific Citizen’s funding base, and continuing civil rights advocacy efforts.
• Platform of Priscilla Anne Ouchida, by Priscilla Anne Ouchida, page 7. JACL candidate Priscilla Ouchida emphasizes the need for JACL to remain a vital, visible civil rights force while focusing on improving services to chapters. She stresses family involvement and deferring to the Long Range Planning Committee’s recommendations for future programs.
• Platform of William M. Kaneko, by William M. Kaneko, page 7. JACL candidate William Kaneko discusses the organization’s search for new direction after the successful implementation of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. His platform includes adopting the JACL Long Range Plan, expanding the financial base through corporate and foundation grants, and developing national committees and programs.
• Platform of Kimberlee Tachiki, by Kimberlee Tachiki, page 7. JACL National Youth Council candidate Kimberlee Tachiki proposes creating a networking system among young Nikkei similar to college fraternity/sorority systems. She emphasizes the need to change JACL’s image to attract younger members and demonstrate that the organization is for everyone.
• Platform of Trisha S. Murakawa, by Trisha S. Murakawa, page 7. JACL National Youth Council candidate Trisha Murakawa calls for recruiting student members from colleges and universities and bringing civil rights to the forefront of JACL’s agenda. She advocates for full implementation of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and increased JACL visibility in broader civil rights issues.
• JA National Museum Expands Panel of Honorary Co-Chairs for Capital Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Japanese American National Museum welcomed five prominent individuals, including former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi and Sony’s Akio Morita, as honorary co-chairs for its National Capital Campaign. The campaign aims to raise $25.1 million to fund the museum devoted to Japanese American history and culture.

Community

• Seminar Teaches JAs to be More Assertive, by Alvina Lew, page 2. J.D. Hokoyama, executive director of LEAP, led a workshop on risk-taking for Japanese Americans, exploring how cultural concepts like enryo, gaman, and shikata ga nai discourage risk-taking. The workshop examined how these cultural factors, along with fear and lack of role models, hinder JAs from pursuing leadership and managerial opportunities.
• Asian Recruits Targeted by LAPD, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The LAPD will sponsor a Law Enforcement and Public Safety Fair on June 9 at El Camino College, aiming to recruit more Asian officers. LAPD currently has about 2% Asian representation and is striving to raise that to 7% through its Asian Recruitment Task Force.
• Governor Applauds Asian Pacific Scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Gov. George Deukmejian met with 10 recipients and finalists of the Asian Pacific State Employees Association’s scholarship awards in celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The APSEA scholarship program, established in 1980, honors Sacramento-area high school seniors for academic excellence and community service.
• Rep. Matsui to Address Mile-Hi Area Graduates, by P.C. Staff, page 3. U.S. Congressman Robert Matsui will be the principal speaker at the 35th annual Japanese American community graduation program in Denver on June 9. The scholarship program has grown from a single $50 award to a $22,000 program.
• Asian Pacifics Form Advocacy Group on Reapportionment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento-area Asian/Pacific Americans formed the ‘Sacramento Asian/Pacific Americans for Fair Reapportionment’ committee to advocate for community interests in the upcoming legislative redistricting process. The group will monitor redistricting plans and educate the community, following a forum featuring Congressman Robert Matsui.
• Konko Church Minister’s Internment Years Told, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The autobiography of the late Rev. Yoshiaki Fukuda of the Konko Church, arrested as a suspected enemy alien on Dec. 7, 1941 and detained until Sept. 29, 1947, is recounted in ‘My Six Years of Internment.’ The book includes commentary by Prof. Stanford Lyman analyzing the cultural values reflected in Fukuda’s account.
• Nishimura Honored at Woman History Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Bernadette F. Nishimura, retired city principal clerk and Little Tokyo activist, was honored as the 1990 Woman of the Year from the 56th Assembly District. Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard made the presentation in conjunction with Women’s History Month.
• Needs of Asian/Pacific Islanders to Be Analysed Through Drug Abuse Study, by P.C. Staff, page 8. UCLA’s National Research Center on Asian American Mental Health received a $161,000 grant from California’s Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs to study drug abuse needs among the state’s diverse Asian Pacific Islander population. The study aims to identify prevalence, related problems, and services needed for various Asian ethnic groups.
• Arkansas Sansei Stunned to Learn Granddad Held in WWII Camp in Arkansas, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Terry Yamaguchi, director of Arkansas’ Department of Human Services, discovered his grandfather had been interned at the Rohwer camp in Arkansas during World War II. He learned this from his father, who was researching family history, creating an ironic connection to the state Yamaguchi now serves.
• JACL Helps Sponsor Drug Abuse Program, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) presents the Creative Image showcase featuring area high school and college students performing original works addressing drug usage. JACL and other community groups sponsor students in the program, which aims to educate youth and create peer role models.
• Dayton JACL Member Co-author of New Book, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Fred C. Fisk, a 28-year member of Dayton JACL, co-authored a new book with Marlin W. Todd on the Wright brothers titled ‘The Wright Brothers from Bicycle to Biplane.’ The book took 12 years to research and write and contains 270 photos with much new information.
• AAJUW Seek Applicants for Scholarship Grants, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The American Association of Japanese University Women is accepting applications for its 1990 $1,000 scholarships for female students with junior, senior, or graduate status. Applicants must submit transcripts, recommendation letters, an essay, and a resume by the September 15, 1990 deadline.

Commentary

• What to Wear in San Diego, by Sherry Kataoka, page 3. This convention travel guide advises JACL attendees on appropriate clothing for San Diego’s variable June weather, from cool mornings to warm afternoons. It also offers tips on attire for Sea World, the zoo, golf, and formal convention events like the Sayonara Banquet.
• Japan’s Seoul Brothers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This editorial discusses the legal and social discrimination faced by ethnic Koreans born and living in Japan, comparing their plight to that of Nisei seeking equal treatment in prewar America. It calls on Japanese Americans to add moral support to pressure Japan into eliminating discriminatory laws against this minority of about 700,000.
• Waribashi Bashing, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa’s column discusses disposable waribashi chopsticks in Japan, noting environmental concerns raised by Japan’s Waribashi Problem Study Group over the billions of pairs discarded annually. He supports efforts to encourage reusable chopsticks to save trees, while joking about his hope they don’t target toothpicks next.
• Reverse Migration, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani’s column examines the trend of Brazilian and other South American nikkei migrating to Japan for work, driven by economic hardship and hyperinflation in their home countries. He notes the complexities of nikkei status verification and reflects on whether Japanese Americans might also be tempted by opportunities in Japan despite its demanding work culture.
• Beatings Undermine Racial Understanding, by Dale Pasell & Dale Wagner, page 5. This guest editorial from La Crosse, Wis., condemns the racially motivated beating of two Japanese students who were mistaken for Hmong community members. The authors urge the La Crosse community to treat all ethnic backgrounds with respect and dignity to prevent further racial violence.
• Welcome to the Melting Pot, by La Crosse County Democratic Party, page 5. The La Crosse County Democratic Party expresses disappointment over unwelcoming treatment of Hmong and Southeast Asian refugees in their community. The party passed a unanimous motion offering an official welcome and pledge of friendship to these refugees.
• Goon Squad Mars City’s Reputation, by La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune, page 5. This guest editorial details the racially motivated beating of two Japanese exchange students, Taro Imamura and Yasushi Kikuchi, by attackers who mistook them for Hmong refugees. The piece condemns the ongoing racism in La Crosse and urges police to solve the case to demonstrate that racial intolerance will not be tolerated.
• A Selfless Act, by La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune, page 5. This editorial praises two women, a probation officer and a county social worker, who intervened to stop the beating of two Japanese students in La Crosse despite being cursed at and threatened by the attackers. The piece highlights their selfless courage in a time when such intervention is rare.

Military & Veterans

• The Right Stuff, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Eight members of Nisei Post 8985 and Auxiliary spoke to six periods at Mitchell Junior High School in Rancho Cordova as part of their ongoing educational program on citizenship and patriotism. The photo caption names the veterans who participated in the outreach effort.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Come See the Paradise’ Also Ran at Cannes But Looms as Box Office Hit, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Alan Parker’s film about Japanese Americans in WWII camps, starring Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita, failed to win a prize at the Cannes Film Festival but was noted as one of the biggest crowd pleasers among competing films. Parker researched extensively and consulted Japanese Americans nationwide to ensure the film’s accuracy, denying it was a comment on current Japan-bashing.
• Author Uyemoto to Speak at CSULA Writers Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Cal State L.A. will host ‘California Dreaming,’ the first annual Summer Writing Institute celebrating California writers, featuring novelist Amy Tan and 19-year-old published author Holly Uyemoto. Uyemoto’s debut novel, written when she was 15, was published by Crown Publishers when she turned 19.

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