U.S.-Japan trade tensions, and the JACL debate over the PC

Vol. 118, No. 8, March 4, 1994. 12 pages. View this issue

Trade tensions between the United States and Japan ran through this issue. Gwen Muranaka interviewed Glen Fukushima, who called the phrase “trade war” sensationalistic after the failed Framework Talks. JACL members disagreed on whether the organization should take a position, and Bill Hosokawa urged caution in his column. Other front-page stories covered Asian American bar groups seeking judicial nominees from the Clinton Administration, and a fund drive for a Topaz museum in Delta, Utah.

Much of the second half is letters and commentary. Ruth Mizobe, Craig Minami, Ron Wakabayashi, Paul H. Shinkawa and Arnold Miyamoto wrote on the PC’s finances and JACL membership figures. Harry K. Honda reviewed six books on page 7, including Sandra Taylor’s history of Topaz. Reports from Florin, Cincinnati and Indianapolis marked the 52nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066 with exhibits and workshops.

What’s in this issue

National

• Insight: Trade Relations Between the U.S. and Japan Should Not Be Called a ‘Trade War,’ Says Expert Glen Fukushima, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. PC assistant editor Gwen Muranaka interviews Nikkei trade expert Glen Fukushima, who argues that the media’s use of ‘trade war’ language regarding the Framework Talks and Section 1377 dispute is sensationalistic. Fukushima discusses the failed Clinton-Hosokawa summit, the cellular telephone trade dispute, and his own analysis that influenced President Clinton’s approach to Japan policy.
• Legal Groups Seek Judicial Nominees of Clinton, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Major Asian-American bar associations in California and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association jointly petitioned the Clinton Administration for greater consideration of Asian Americans in judicial nominee selection. The groups noted that of 48 judicial nominations, only one recommended nominee has been Asian American, and no Asian American sits on several key federal courts.
• D.C. Hate Crimes Law Not Used, Asians Say, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington, D.C. Anti-Bias-Related Crime Act, enacted four years ago, remains largely unused and misunderstood according to Ivan K. Fong of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Greater Washington. A 1993 survey found attacks on Asian American merchants left nine dead and one paralyzed, though most victims attributed the crimes to economic rather than hate motivations.

Incarceration & Redress

• $130,000 Goal Set for Topaz Museum Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Great Basin Museum in Delta, Utah is raising funds to renovate a former recreation hall from the Topaz internment camp and build a fifty-foot addition to create a museum. An ad hoc committee including former internees and historians is leading the effort, with a fundraising brochure featuring haiku captions by Toyo Suyemoto Kawakami.
• Hoosier Chapter Premieres ‘Children of Detention Camps’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Hoosier Chapter, JACL, opened the photo exhibition ‘Children of Detention Camps’ at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, marking the 52nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, drawing over 1,100 attendees from across the Midwest. Keynote speaker Dr. Donna Nagata of the University of Michigan discussed her research on the long-term psychological impact of WWII internment on the Sansei generation.
• Cincinnati Chapter Co-Sponsors Camp Photo Exhibit, by Donna Choo, page 3. The JACL Cincinnati chapter, a 1993 Legacy Fund Grant recipient, co-sponsored the exhibition ‘U.S. Detention Camps 1942-1946’ at the Cincinnati Union Terminal, featuring over 90 photographs documenting Japanese American internment. Keynote speaker Dr. Roger Daniels addressed the 50th anniversary of Japanese American resettlement in Cincinnati, and the exhibit has drawn significant media attention and school interest.
• Florin Chapter Event Offers Full Course Load, by Frank Iritani, page 6. The Florin Chapter, JACL, held its 12th annual ‘Time of Remembrance’ program featuring guest speaker Gordon Hirabayashi, who challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 and spent nine months in jail for his resistance. The event included a historical exhibit, a barrack replica, and honored the Sacramento Valley draft resisters with the Daruma Civil Rights Award.
• Educators Hold Classroom Discussions on Internment Experience at Workshop, by Joanne Iritani, page 6. Sixty-three people, including teachers from many area schools, attended a Feb. 5 workshop on Japanese American internment sponsored by the Florin Chapter, JACL, featuring guest speaker Gordon Hirabayashi. Keynote speaker Mary Tsukamoto shared her experiences, and presenters used videos including ‘Days of Waiting’ and ‘A Personal Matter’ to teach constitutional lessons of Executive Order 9066.
• The Personality of Topaz: Jewel of the Desert, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Sandra Taylor’s book ‘Jewel of the Desert: Japanese American Internment at Topaz’ examines how internees maintained community and self-worth despite the upheavals of internment. The University of Utah history professor draws on interviews, archives and newspapers to document the Topaz camp experience.

JACL

• Members Discuss Role of JACL in Dealing With Increased Tensions Between U.S. and Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL members including Ross Harano, Randy Senzaki, Ted Shigeno and Dick Yamashita offer differing views on whether JACL should take a position on U.S.-Japan trade tensions. Some argue JACL should serve as a watchdog against racist backlash, while others believe the organization should not become involved in international politics.
• JA of Biennium Guidelines Out, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Guidelines for the 1994 Japanese American of the Biennium Award are now available to JACL chapters and districts. Candidates must have received regional, national or international recognition for contributions that enhanced society, and need not be JACL members.
• JACL Addresses Health Care Reform, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL created an ad hoc committee on health care issues to address how health care reform legislation might affect JACL members, particularly those who joined for health insurance benefits. The committee, chaired by Toaru Ishiyama, has met by teleconference and was scheduled to meet in San Francisco in March.
• Curriculum Guide Includes Special Offers, by Greg Marutani, page 6. The National JACL Curriculum Guide, now ready for sale to educators, includes special promotional offers for videos including ‘A Personal Matter: Gordon Hirabayashi vs. The United States’ and Steven Okazaki’s Academy Award-winning ‘Days of Waiting.’ Lise Yasui’s ‘Family Gathering’ documentary will also be offered at a special price to guide purchasers.

Community

• Artists to Show in Little Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Paintings by Dr. T. Hayashida and Frank Gikiu along with pottery by Isei Anami will be presented at the third annual two-man Nisei art show at the New Otani Hotel in Little Tokyo. Gikiu served in the Korean War and studied at Chouinard Art Institute, while Anami studied under noted ceramicists including Susan Peterson and Maria Martinez.
• Yasuhara Named ‘Man of the Year’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Denny Yasuhara, a Spokane Chapter JACL board member, was named ‘Man of the Year’ by the Northwest Asian Weekly for his longtime civil rights and community work. Yasuhara played a major role in securing JACL National Board support for the redress movement and has served on numerous community initiatives.
• Personally Speaking, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This roundup column covers notable Japanese Americans including new Atlanta Symphony associate conductor Darryl One, Wisconsin businessman Akira Toki honored with a school named after him, and various academic, business, and political achievements. Also noted are California Secretary of State March Fong Eu’s resignation to become U.S. ambassador to Micronesia, and President Clinton’s nomination of Jerry Enomoto as U.S. marshal.

Commentary

• Cross-Country Travels, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 3. JACL National President Lillian Kimura recounts her travels to Seattle, Indianapolis, and other cities for JACL events including installation dinners, board meetings, and the opening of the ‘Children of Detention Camps’ exhibit. She highlights honorees and chapter anniversaries including Cincinnati’s 50th anniversary commemoration of Japanese American resettlement.
• When He Speaks, Bill Listens…, by P.C. Staff, page 4. U.S. News and World Report revealed that President Clinton circulated an analysis by Glen Fukushima titled ‘Repairing the U.S.-Japan Relationship’ to key staff members, writing ‘Worth reading… and often accurate. Should discuss’ in the margins. The article reportedly helped stiffen the administration’s resolve on Japan trade issues ahead of the Feb. 11 summit.
• U.S.-Japan Relations: Proceed With Caution, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Columnist Bill Hosokawa examines the deteriorating U.S.-Japan trade relations and President Clinton’s threat of economic sanctions, drawing uneasy historical parallels to pre-Pearl Harbor sanctions while cautioning against drastic comparisons. He argues JACL should rely on informed experts like Glen Fukushima rather than issuing uninformed platitudes on the complex issue.
• Good Works: The Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Columnist Bill Marutani highlights the little-known Okura Mental Health Leadership Foundation, established by K. Patrick Okura and Lily Okura, which sponsors annual leadership seminars in Washington, D.C. for emerging Asian American mental health professionals. Marutani describes meeting the diverse 1993 cohort of ten participants and praises the foundation’s ongoing contributions.
• PSW Gov. Ruth Mizobe on PC Treatment, by Ruth Mizobe, page 8. PSW Governor Ruth Mizobe writes to clarify that her comments about the PC were mischaracterized as ‘condemning’ when she only expressed ‘displeasure’ regarding a financial discrepancy involving reimbursement to former PC board chair Lucy Kishiue. She accuses the PC of using subjective reporting to intimidate critics and failing to address her concerns directly.
• Compounding a Financial Problem, by Arnold Miyamoto, page 9. Investment professional Arnold Miyamoto raises concerns about JACL President Kimura’s explanation of a $200,000 transfer from the Endowment Fund, arguing that most endowments reinvest income into the corpus to maintain purchasing power. He urges the Endowment Fund Committee to redefine ‘corpus’ and apply stricter distribution controls to avoid financially crippling the fund over time.
• Praising the New Assistant Attorney General, by Karen Narasaki, page 9. JACL Washington representative Karen Narasaki praises Deval Patrick, President Clinton’s nominee for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, describing his impressive background and commitment to civil rights and community service. She criticizes conservative attacks on his nomination by figures like Clint Bolick, drawing parallels to the earlier unfair attacks on Lani Guinier.
• PSW Vice Governor Takes Issue With PC, by Craig Minami, page 10. PSW Vice Governor Craig Minami disputes the PC’s characterization of financial report discussions at the National Board meeting, arguing that PC staff did not clarify discrepancies when directly asked by Secretary/Treasurer Jon Kaji. He questions the timeline and justification for PC’s request to increase its per-member allocation from $12 to $15.
• Wakabayashi Responds to Mile-Hi Chapter Criticism, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 10. Ron Wakabayashi responds to criticism from Bill Hosokawa and Tak Terasaki regarding his remarks about the Mile-Hi Chapter speech coverage, apologizing for a thoughtless comment while defending his broader point about PC’s structural and editorial challenges. He argues the PC’s independent structure created inherent controversy and that organizational relations have deteriorated to irreconcilable differences.
• Shinkawa Responds to Comments on Membership Figures, by Paul H. Shinkawa, page 10. Paul Shinkawa clarifies his membership statistics cited in a Mile-Hi Chapter speech, explaining the distinction between individual PC mailing recipients and total JACL members including family memberships. He notes that National President Kimura’s column corroborated his claim that membership income had declined during 1993.
• Mei Nakano Responds to Criticism of Her Column, by Mei Nakano, page 10. Mei Nakano responds to Allan Beekman’s criticism of her multiculturalism column, arguing that his objections to the term ‘Japanese American’ and his categories of ‘alloyed’ and ‘unalloyed’ Americans reveal the very prejudices she wrote about. She contends that public bias against ethnic identifiers, not the terms themselves, causes stigmatization.

Arts & Entertainment

• A Carp for Kimiko: A Fish Story, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Virginia Kroll’s children’s book ‘A Carp for Kimiko’ tells the story of a young girl who wants a paper carp for Children’s Day but learns about Girl’s Day traditions instead. The richly illustrated book introduces young readers to Japanese holiday customs and vocabulary.
• Say It With Pictures: Grandfather’s Journey, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Allen Say’s book ‘Grandfather’s Journey’ depicts a four-generation cavalcade of Japanese Americans, from an Issei immigrant to California through his grandson’s return to America after WWII. The reviewer calls it not a typical Japanese American family story but a well-woven tale of two cultures.
• What Perked Up Grandpa: Poppy, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Sam Itaya, a former Stockton Chapter JACL member turned rhymster, published ‘Poppy,’ a collection of poems about moments with his grandchildren during the 1980s. The simple illustrations were mostly supplied by his grandkids.

Military & Veterans

• A French Treasure for the Nikkei: U.S. Samurais in Bruyeres, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Pierre Moulin’s book ‘U.S. Samurais in Bruyeres,’ with a preface by French President Francois Mitterrand, tells the story of the 442nd’s rescue of the Texas Lost Battalion to the French people. Moulin, born in Bruyeres, spent 20 years researching the story, and proceeds benefit Nisei veterans groups and the Peace and Freedom Trail.

In-Depth

• The Innocent Generation: Shock and Upheaval, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Motohisa Honda’s book ‘Shock and Upheaval’ recounts the experience of Japan’s ‘innocent generation’ who were infants during WWII and endured a harsh, hopeless cycle of deprivation during and after the war. The seaman-author from Takamatsu shares a painful but courageous personal account.
• Very Truly Yours: Envoy to Micronesia, by Harry K. Honda, page 9. Harry Honda explores the historical connection between Japanese immigrants and Micronesia, prompted by March Fong Eu’s resignation to become U.S. ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. The column details the story of Koben Mori, a Japanese trader who became influential in Truk Atoll society in the late 1800s, and Japan’s colonial rule over Micronesia before and during WWII.

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