Vol. 112, No. 15, April 19, 1991. 8 pages. View this issue
A discrimination case by a Nikkei employee against the Veterans Department was reopened by the EEOC, which found the case was not necessarily moot. The front page also reported on a study suggesting rising anti-American sentiment in Japan, and on Judy Imai, who left her job to join a global walk for peace that will end in Hiroshima in 1993. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani and Taro Kimura looked at the term ho-jin, diplomat Chiune Sugihara, and Japan-bashing.
Harry Honda reviewed four books in this eight-page issue, including memoirs by Rev. Yoshiaki Fukuda, Mili Shimonishi-Lamb and Mitzie Asai Loftus. Their stories touch on Tule Lake and Heart Mountain. Buses to the April 27 Manzanar pilgrimage were announced, and a call went out for former residents of Manzanar’s Children Village. Other items covered Fresno JACL scholarship winners and Long Beach gang tensions.
What’s in this issue
National
- Nikkei’s Discrimination Case Reopened by EEOC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The EEOC has ordered a reopening of a discrimination case involving a Nikkei employee against the Veterans Department, finding the case was not necessarily moot. Commissioners noted the department failed to clearly define the issues in her complaint.
- Study: Japan Becoming More Anti-American, page 1. A study suggests growing nationalism in Japan is leading to more anti-American sentiment, with many Japanese viewing the security pact with the U.S. as less important since they no longer see the Soviet Union as a military threat. Japan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement disputing that the study reflects official government views or that nationalism is truly growing in the country.
Community
- Walking for Peace, page 1. Judy Imai, a Lakeview Terrace, Calif. resident, gave up her job as a college vocational instructor to join a multi-year global walk for peace that will conclude in Hiroshima in 1993. Inspired by the aftermath of the Gulf War and a desire for peace, Imai says the walk is an extension of earlier treks across America and the Soviet Union led by activist Joan Bokaer.
- Cambodians, Latinos Face Off in Gang Wars, page 1. Long Beach, Calif. police report escalating tension and violence between Cambodian and Latino gangs in a neighborhood along Anaheim Boulevard that has seen demographic shifts since World War II. Detective Norm Sorenson described the situation as having reached a critical point where officers are bracing for further conflict.
- Reunion, Anyone? Call for Former Residents of Manzanar’s Children Village, page 2. Tamotsu Isozaki and Matsuno, two Monterey Park, Calif. residents formerly of pre-war Salvation Army and Shonien children’s homes, are seeking former residents of Manzanar’s Children Village for a possible reunion. The homes housed Nisei orphan children who were later relocated during the wartime incarceration.
- JACL’s Role in Contra Costa Ordinance Debate, page 3. Opponents of a Contra Costa gay rights ordinance, including the Traditional Values Coalition, filed notice attempting to overturn the measure via ballot initiative, arguing it creates new rights for homosexuals. Local media sought JACL’s comments on its role in supporting the ordinance, with a JACL representative affirming that sexual orientation should not preclude equal rights.
- People in the News: Elections, Awards, and Appointments, page 5. Two Asian candidates were elected April 9 to the L.A. Community College board amid low voter turnout on a $200 million bond measure. Also noted are various community figures receiving honors, including recognition for human rights and cultural education work in Montreal.
- Walk for Peace Continued: Imai’s Journey and Reflections, page 5. Continuing coverage of Judy Imai’s global peace walk describes her experiences meeting Native American communities in the Southwest who welcomed walkers with food, dances, and blessings. Imai reflects on her Japanese American heritage and the significance of the walk ending in Hiroshima, tying personal family history from internment camps and the 442nd to her mission for peace.
- Personally Speaking: Community Achievers Honored, page 8. Ventura College student Sumiko Kato joins the 1991 class of Truman Scholars for her research on nonverbal miscommunications contributing to crisis, earning scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study. Also noted are promotions and honors for Dennis J. Yamashita at Rollins Burdick Hunter and Gordon Tokumatsu as new host of a Sacramento TV program, plus Canon USA executive promotions for Minoru Sakai.
Incarceration & Redress
- Take a Bus to Manzanar Pilgrimage, page 2. Buses will depart from three areas of Los Angeles for the April 27 pilgrimage to Manzanar, offering air-conditioned transportation with toilet facilities for the 4 1/2-hour ride. Departure points include the San Fernando Valley, Gardena/West Los Angeles, and Downtown/Little Tokyo areas, organized by community groups.
- My Six Years of Internment: An Issei’s Struggle for Justice, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. A review of Rev. Yoshiaki Fukuda’s memoir describing his internment as a ‘dangerous enemy alien’ during WWII at camps including Missoula, Lordsburg, Santa Fe, and Crystal City. The book details Fukuda’s efforts to ease fellow internees’ trauma through humor, his advocacy for internees’ rights under the Geneva Convention, and his post-release petitioning of the U.S. government regarding grievances of Japanese Americans.
Commentary
- Ho-jin, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. The columnist explores the Japanese term ‘ho-jin,’ examining its kanji characters and comparing it to the more familiar term ‘kokumin’ (people of a nation). He muses on whether the term uniquely refers to ethnic Japanese people versus naturalized citizens of other backgrounds, inviting readers to clarify his understanding.
- Humanitarianism of the Highest Order, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Marutani writes about Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who issued transit visas to save Jews during World War II despite it costing him his diplomatic career. The column notes a memorial park and monument being built in Sugihara’s hometown of Yaotsucho, Gifu prefecture, to honor his heroism.
- Talking Back to Japan-Bashers, by Taro Kimura, page 4. Kimura pushes back against American politicians criticizing Japan’s role in the Gulf War, citing comments from Senator Alfonse D’Amato and Lee Iacocca questioning Japan’s contribution. He also notes Senator Robert Byrd’s criticism of Japan-bashing, while arguing that American security concerns are being unfairly conflated with an economic war against Japan.
JACL
- Fresno JACL Scholarship Dinner Announces Winners, page 5. The Fresno JACL Scholarship Dinner will be held May 1 at New Heaven Restaurant, honoring several scholarship recipients including Kristine Sato, Junichi Semitsu, and Carey Akane Tokumoto. The scholarships range from $200 to $2,000 and support students pursuing studies at universities including UC Berkeley.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Bridge to the Sun’ Sequel Shows Imperial Court Life, by Harry Honda, page 6. A review discusses diaries and materials related to a sequel of ‘Bridge to the Sun,’ the story of diplomat Hidenari Terasaki and his American wife Gwen, revealing behind-the-scenes observations of the Imperial court and Terasaki’s liaison work with General MacArthur. The diaries also contribute historical material to debates over whether the emperor could have intervened to stop the war in 1941.
In-Depth
- And Then a Rainbow: Memoir Review, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. A review of Mili Shimonishi-Lamb’s memoir ‘And Then a Rainbow,’ which chronicles her life from Vacaville, California through evacuation to Santa Anita, Heart Mountain, and Tule Lake, followed by expatriation to Japan. The book details her family life, renunciation of citizenship, thirteen years in Hiroshima, and eventual return to Southern California and remarriage.
- Made in Japan and Settled in Oregon: Book Review, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. A review of Mitzie Asai Loftus’s memoir about growing up as a Hood River Nisei who was interned at Tule Lake and Heart Mountain before graduating from the University of Oregon in 1954. The book, written for her family, humorously and delightfully recounts her parents’ and uncles’ stories alongside her own career as a teacher.
Obituaries
- Obituaries, page 7. This section lists names and details of community members who recently passed away, including survivors and hometowns. Entries include Furie Mukai, Shizuko Mifico Yuki, George J. Kawahara, and others from various California and other regional communities.
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