Vol. 114, No. 11, March 20, 1992. 8 pages. View this issue
A proposed reorganization of the JACL led this eight-page issue. Lillian Kimura presented the plan to the national board, which called for a stronger national voice in a more difficult climate. It would restructure the board, staff and committees, set a membership goal of 32,000 by the year 2000, and take effect in 1994 if adopted at the Denver convention. Harry K. Honda surveyed San Diego voices on Japan-bashing, and Bill Marutani wrote on the same subject, arguing that much of it was aimed at Japanese people, not at trade practices.
Also inside are a Legacy Fund report showing $3.25 million raised toward a $10 million goal, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa. Kristi Yamaguchi’s media attention and her role as 1992 Nisei Week parade marshal also made the front page, along with redress workshops planned for April in several cities.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- JACL Weighs Major Reorganization to Meet New Challenges, by Staff reports, page 1. JACL’s national board heard a reorganizational proposal presented by Lillian Kimura aimed at strengthening the organization’s national clout amid a more racist and complicated political climate. The plan calls for restructuring the national board, staff, and committees, and sets a membership goal of 32,000 by the year 2000.
- Youth Council Sets Sights on Future Goals, page 1. The National Youth Council’s report ‘People Envisioning Tomorrow’ outlined goals for the 1992-1994 biennium including empowering JACL youth and creating programs for young and student members. The council acknowledged JACL’s historic inattention to youth programming at the chapter level.
- Hayashi Announces New D.C. Rep, Other JACL Projects, page 1. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi announced several items at the national board meeting, including the appointment of Seattle attorney Karen Narasaki as the new Washington, D.C. representative. Other highlights included plans for an anti-Asian violence press kit and permission from Phillip Morris to reprint the ‘Walk With Pride’ handbook.
- Legacy Fund Needs More Push at Halfway Point, page 3. Grayce Uyehara reported to the JACL national board that the Legacy Fund Campaign has raised $3.25 million of its $10 million goal after 17 months, behind pace despite an earlier spike tied to redress payments. She urged renewed fund-raising efforts and provided a district-by-district breakdown of performance.
- Education Committee Focuses on Curriculum, page 3. The National Education Committee, in a report by JACL staffer Cheryl (surname obscured), outlined objectives including developing model curricula and a resource manual on the Japanese American experience. The committee also aims to work with school systems and textbook publishers to accurately portray the internment.
- Organization Reorganization Details Continued, page 5. Continuing coverage details JACL’s reorganization proposal, including plans for restructured national board composition, national council voting, national staff divisions, chapters, district councils, and the Pacific Citizen’s governance. The plan would take effect in 1994 if adopted at the Denver convention.
- Organization Reorganization Recommendations Detailed, page 8. The reorganization committee’s report elaborates on recommendations for national staff structure, chapter guidelines, district council roles, and governance of the Pacific Citizen. It also recommends a new JACL logo, annual publications, and more aggressive fund-raising efforts.
Community
- Some Reasons for a Stronger JACL, page 1. The reorganization committee outlined key trends impacting the Japanese American community, including hate group growth, Japan-bashing, weakening cultural values, and increasing out-marriages and divorces. These factors underscore the need for JACL to adapt its structure and leadership approach.
- Cherry Blossom Event Scheduled for April 3-5, 10-12, page 2. San Francisco’s 25th annual Cherry Blossom Festival will take place at the Japan Center featuring nearly 1,000 performers from Japan and local Japanese American groups. The event will include taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, and the selection of the 1992 Cherry Blossom Festival queen.
- Arizona State Plans Asian American Conference, page 3. Arizona State University’s ASIA coalition will host a conference April 10-12 titled ‘Out of the Shadow Into the Light—Steps for the Future,’ focusing on Asian American leadership and diversity issues. Workshops will address political activism, the model minority stereotype, and hate crimes.
- Kanai Continues to Lead PANA-USA, page 4. Noritoshi Kanai was re-elected president of PANA-USA for 1992 and introduced his cabinet at the organization’s annual meeting in Los Angeles. Over 30 members were recognized for their contributions to the organization.
- Personally Speaking, page 6. This community news column highlights individual achievements, including free-agent catcher Don Wakametsu signing with the Dodgers’ Albuquerque affiliate and judo coach Yosh Uchida being honored with San Jose State’s Tower Award. It also notes political appointments such as Curtis Namba’s role on the Democratic National Convention credentials committee and Oakland councilman Frank Ogawa’s planned retirement.
Sports
- Keeping Up With Kristi, page 1. Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi continues to draw major media and corporate attention following her win in France, appearing on magazine covers and TV shows. She will serve as parade marshal for the 1992 Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Los Angeles despite has not decided on competing in the 1994 Olympics.
National
- Youth to Stand Trial for Temple Murders, page 1. A Maricopa County judge ruled that 16-year-old Alessandro Garcia would stand trial for the August 1991 slayings of nine people at a Thai Buddhist temple. Garcia is the second youth charged in the case, following Jonathan Doody, whose trial is set to begin April 6.
Incarceration & Redress
- Redress Workshops Scheduled Around the Country, page 3. The Office of Redress Administration announced a series of workshops in cities including Fresno, Pacoima, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Spokane, Portland, and Seattle in April. Participants are encouraged to bring correspondence and documents related to their redress claims.
Commentary
- Sen. Hayakawa of Semantics Fame, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the complicated legacy of the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa, remembered by many Japanese Americans primarily for his conservative views and dismissal of redress, but who was also a distinguished scholar of language and semantics. The column argues that despite controversy, his broader intellectual contributions deserve recognition.
- Bashing, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani examines the phenomenon of ‘Japan-bashing,’ arguing that much of the rhetoric is actually racially motivated ‘Japanese-bashing’ rather than legitimate criticism of unfair trade practices. He contrasts the lack of similar hostility toward Germany and warns of the dangers of conflating economic criticism with racism.
- Thank You to Media for DOR Coverage, page 4. A letter writer from Salinas thanks the media for coverage of the 50th anniversary Day of Remembrance ceremonies and reflects on the years-long effort to erect the Salinas Assembly Center Kinenhi monument. The writer stresses the importance of remembering the internment to prevent historical revisionism and repeated injustice.
In-Depth
- San Diego on Bashing: Scapegoating or Threat?, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. A wide-ranging survey of San Diego voices—including Haru Reischauer, business leaders, academics, and JACL members—explores differing perspectives on U.S.-Japan trade tensions and rising Japan-bashing. Local business ties with Japan remain strong even as some fear backlash and mistaken-identity incidents recall wartime internment fears.
Obituaries
- Obituaries, page 6. This week’s obituary listings include tributes to several community members such as MIS veteran Seiichi Chimers and others with detailed survivor information. Entries note birthplaces, career highlights, and surviving family members.
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