Japanese Latin American redress suit and the JACL convention

Vol. 123, No. 6, September 20, 1996. 12 pages. View this issue

A class action suit for redress by Japanese Latin Americans led the news. Three Nisei deported from Peru during World War II, Carmen Mochizuki, Alice Nishimoto and Henry Toshio Shima, sued the U.S. government, challenging who was covered by the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Harry K. Honda reported that National JACL stood with them. The front page also covered grant guidelines from the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund and a bill threatening affirmative action.

Much of the issue looked back at the JACL national convention. Workshop reports covered affirmative action, sexual harassment, hapa identity, Native Hawaiian self-determination and Nisei military history, along with a roundup of convention resolutions. Jessica Deardorff’s winning oratorical speech is included. Columns by Bill Marutani, Bill Hosokawa and Harry Honda appeared on pages 8 and 9, and a bill to complete the Manzanar National Historic Site was reported on page 7.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Three Nisei deported from Peru in WWII sue U.S. for redress, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. National JACL announced solidarity with Japanese Latin Americans in a class action civil suit filed against the U.S. government seeking redress for their WWII deportation and internment. The suit, filed by three Nisei plaintiffs held at U.S. camps like Crystal City, challenges the eligibility provisions of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that denied them redress.
• Civil Liberties Public Education Fund board details its grant program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Civil Liberties Public Education Fund board announced guidelines for research and educational grants under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, establishing Candlelight, Torchlight, and Beacon award levels. The grants aim to educate the public about lessons from the WWII internment of Japanese Americans through curriculum, landmark preservation, community development, and arts/media projects.
• JACLers aid N.J. Smithsonian exhibit, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Smithsonian’s traveling exhibition ‘A More Perfect Union’ was hosted at the New Brunswick Free Public Library, drawing students to learn about Japanese American internment history. JACLers including Tom Kometani, Lillian Kimura and Grayce Uyehara helped plan the event, which included speakers and a panel on the Seabrook Farms story.
• Manzanar historic site exchange bill in Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced a Senate version of a bill to transfer land to complete the Manzanar National Historic Site. The House version, co-authored by Reps. Robert Matsui and Jerry Lewis, passed unanimously and would allow the federal government to acquire the land through an exchange with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
• Peru redress suit background: Japanese Peruvians deported during WWII, by Harry K. Honda, page 12. This continuation explains the historical background of the U.S. campaign against Japanese Peruvians during WWII, including the ‘Proclaimed List of Certain Blocked Nationals’ and false wartime intelligence claims used to justify their deportation. It notes Peru did not declare war on Japan until 1945, and details other Latin American countries’ involvement in anti-Japanese actions during the war.

National

• Bill poses threat to affirmative action, says AP organization, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium denounced HR 2128, the Equal Opportunity Act of 1996, saying it would eliminate federal affirmative action in education, employment and contracting. The article details related threats to SBA programs and the Clinton administration’s ongoing review of federal affirmative action following the Adarand v. Pena Supreme Court decision.
• Californians urged to vote, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL and other national APA organizations reminded Californians they had until Oct. 7 to register to vote for the Nov. 5 General Election. Former national JACL president Lillian Kimura and Florin JACLers Frank Iritani and Mary Tsukamoto stressed the importance of registering and voting to demonstrate APA political strength.
• Bill poses threat to affirmative action (continued), by P.C. Staff, page 12. This continuation details statistics on minority-owned firms receiving only 6.5% of federal prime contract dollars in 1994, and quotes business leaders concerned about proposed changes to federal procurement standards. It also discusses various business associations advocating to preserve affirmative action programs in contracting.

JACL

• ‘Next Millenium’ is theme of PC Holiday Issue, by Harry K. Honda, interim editor, page 1. Preparations for the 1996 Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue are underway with advertising kits being mailed to JACL chapters. The issue’s theme, ‘The Next Millenium,’ invites submissions from columnists and contributors, with a deadline of Nov. 30.
• Affirmative action in the 90s—keeping diversity alive, by Nobie Miyoshi and Chiye Tomihiro, page 4. A JACL convention workshop featured TV-filmmaker Wendy Hanamura and attorney Don Tamaki discussing affirmative action’s role in their personal and professional success. Panelists agreed that despite apparent successes by Japanese Americans, a glass ceiling remains and JACL must support affirmative action to help others as they were helped.
• Dealing with sexual harassment: Experts tell how to recognize it, take actions, by Tom Kometani, page 4. A JACL Women’s Concerns Committee workshop at the National Convention addressed sexual harassment as a legal and workplace issue, featuring panelists Robert Hayashi, Caryl Ito, and Brad Yamauchi. The session included a skit depicting corporate mishandling of a complaint and outlined key steps for recognizing and responding to harassment.
• Internet potential for JACL shown at U.S.-Japan Relations workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A JACL convention workshop on U.S.-Japan relations explored how the Internet and World Wide Web could benefit JACL’s communication efforts, featuring speakers Sheridan Tatsuno and Katsuji Imata. The well-attended session drew over 70 people and resulted in a ‘Final Report’ packet to guide JACL’s future use of technology.
• All aboard, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Chicago JACL chapter announced a revised board lineup for 1996 after two officers resigned due to work obligations. Cynthia Sakoda Acott assumed the chapter presidency, with David Igasaki, Yoshio Yamamoto, Joy Yamasaki, Donna Okura, and Dwight Sora filling out the board.
• Resolution roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Pacific Citizen presents the second part of highlights from resolutions presented at the JACL National Convention in San Jose, covering topics from the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund to sexual harassment, voter registration, and support for Japanese Latin American redress. Several resolutions were adopted, rejected, or referred to committee, with staff fiscal analyses included for cost implications.

Community

• Alaska student video on Nisei GIs wins recognition, by Sylvia Kobayashi, page 3. Two non-Asian Anchorage high school students produced a documentary on Japanese American WWII soldiers that qualified for the National History Day competition. Tara Ervin and Renee Kelly won second place in Alaska’s History Day contest with assistance from local JACL members who provided material and video clips.
• Census confusion, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mixed-heritage individuals grapple with how the U.S. Census should categorize race ahead of the 2000 count, with some wanting a Multiracial checkbox and others wanting racial categories abandoned entirely. Civil rights organizations expressed concern that a Multiracial category could increase discrimination and stigmatization of Black Americans.
• Panel says self-determination for native Hawaiians is JACL issue, by Clyde Nishimura, page 5. A JACL convention workshop on Native Hawaiian redress and self-determination featured Puanani Burgess, Alan Murakami, and other panelists discussing the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the ongoing pursuit of self-determination. Panelists drew parallels to the Japanese American redress movement and urged attendees not to criticize differing opinions within the Native Hawaiian community.
• Southern California hapa group formed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Marina/SCAN Chapters of the Pacific Southwest District, the Hapa Issues Forum, and the Asian Pacific Community Fund formed a new organization addressing hapa community concerns in Southern California. The group’s first meeting was scheduled for Oct. 16.
• Jeff Uyeda gets California state promotion, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Jeff Uyeda was appointed California assistant secretary of state for operations by Secretary of State Bill Jones. Uyeda, who previously served as chief of management services, will oversee business programs, archives, elections, and other divisions.
• Masaoka intern to work in Sen. Akaka office, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Karen Har-Chen Chow was named the fifth recipient of the Mike M. Masaoka Fellowship Fund and will serve a congressional fellowship in Sen. Daniel K. Akaka’s office beginning in 1997. Chow, a doctoral candidate at UC Santa Barbara, will receive a $6,000 stipend from the fund honoring the late Masaoka’s public service legacy.
• School garden restoration project needs $5,000 more, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A committee co-chaired by Jun Yamamoto and Bruce T. Kaji is seeking $5,000 to complete restoration of a Japanese garden created by prewar Nisei students at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights. Dedication of the garden was set for Oct. 12 at the high school.
• Florin JACL benefit dance turnout hailed, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The first Florin JACL benefit dance drew dancers from across Northern California to the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church hall. Bill Kashiwagi served as general chair with numerous volunteers assisting with arrangements and refreshments.
• Top exec retiring early to build golf course, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Akira Ishikawa, former president of Texas Instrument’s Tokyo subsidiary, retired before turning 65 to build an 18-hole golf course on a 400-acre ranch near Dallas. He previously served as the company’s chief dealmaker for semiconductor chip plants internationally during the 1980s.
• CACA Grand National names executive director, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lawrence Wong, a San Francisco native and former county human relations commissioner, became the new executive director of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Grand National Lodge. Wong said CACA must build coalitions with other ethnic groups such as JACL, the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP and La Raza.
• Festival pioneer queen remembers the past, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Michiko ‘Midge’ Maebori, 80, was chosen Pioneer Queen of Auburn, Washington’s ‘Good Ol’ Days’ Festival, recalling memories of the WWII Evacuation and her family’s return to the community afterward. The article details the history of Japanese American families in the Green River Valley and the town’s transformation over the decades.
• Diablo Valley scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Diablo Valley Chapter, JACL, awarded 1996 scholarships to four students including Diana Valenzuela, Daphne Solis, Daniel Hong, and Mary Padilla. The scholarships were funded through the Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki Scholarship Fund, a chapter scholarship, and the newly established George Fujioka Memorial scholarship.
• Nakazato sworn in as magistrate judge, by Aileen Dairiki, page 10. Arthur Nakazato, 43, was sworn in as a magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, with his Florin JACL parents Sus and Lillian Nakazato in attendance. Nakazato was a founding partner of a law firm in Newport Beach and the first president of both the Orange County Asian American Bar and O.C. Japanese American Lawyers associations.
• Sacramentan heads agency on aging, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Clayton Fong of Sacramento was selected as the new executive director of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, succeeding Don Watanabe. Fong previously served in the Bush White House and as a deputy appointment secretary for California Governor Deukmejian.
• Sansei research cites Asian reading problem, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Sandra Lynne deYoung completed doctoral research on ‘sidedness,’ a factor affecting reading ability that may be particularly relevant to Asian populations. Her study found that over 40% of left-handed Asian and Hispanic students studied were left-eyed at reading range, correlating with reading difficulties.

Obituaries

• Arthur Flemming, friend to JAs, dies, page 3. Arthur S. Flemming, a public servant who worked under multiple presidents from Hoover to Clinton, died Sept. 7 at age 91 in Washington, D.C. The Japanese American community remembers his service on the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians appointed by President Carter.

Commentary

• For hapas, ‘fork chops’ say it all, by Patty Honda Arra, page 4. A JACL convention workshop on Hapa issues explored generational differences in perceptions of the term ‘hapa,’ with speakers Rebecca Kubota King and Greg Mayeda discussing multiracial identity in the Japanese American community. The workshop highlighted the growing number of hapas and calls for JACL to better include multiracial issues in its agenda.
• The personal pain of discrimination, by Jessica Deardorff, page 6. In her winning JACL National Convention oratorical speech, Jessica Deardorff recounts personal experiences of discrimination and her grandmother’s painful memories of internment. She reflects on the importance of her generation learning about the internment experience to ensure such injustice never happens again.
• A gentleman’s gentleman, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Bill Marutani reflects on his personal relationship with the late Dr. Arthur S. Flemming, who served alongside him on the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians and later on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. Marutani recounts Flemming’s illustrious career and his integrity after being fired by President Reagan for a report critical of the administration’s desegregation record.
• They know how to live in the Northwest, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa describes attending the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation’s quarterly board meeting in Seattle, where the monument’s design by Davis Buckley was approved. He also recounts visiting old friends around Puget Sound, including author David Guterson, whose novel ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ involves Nisei caught up in the Evacuation.
• JACL Nisei Relays, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda reflects on the history of the JACL Nisei Relays track and field event upon learning of the death of Carrie Okamura, who kept the tradition going for 15 years. The column recounts Okamura’s community contributions, including co-founding the VFW basketball tournament and organizing U.S. participation in PANA’s Nikkei Sports Festival in Mexico City.
• Not enough Asian Americans ambassadors, by Ike Hatchimonji, page 9. Ike Hatchimonji argues that President Clinton’s appointment of William H. Itoh as U.S. ambassador to Thailand deserved more prominent coverage, noting that only three Asian Americans have ever served as U.S. ambassadors. He calls for greater representation of Asian Americans in foreign policy and ambassadorial positions given their population numbers in the U.S.

Military & Veterans

• National JACL to take on this ‘monumental task’, by Judy Niizawa, page 5. A JACL convention workshop featured Maj. Gen. James Mukoyama, Col. Harry Fukuhara, and 442nd veteran Rudy Tokiwa discussing Japanese American military history from WWII through the Persian Gulf War. Speakers shared personal accounts of discrimination and valor, and discussed plans for a permanent memorial monument near the nation’s capitol.
• Hawaii is site of WWII AJA monument, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Oahu AJA Veterans Council is constructing the ‘Brothers in Valor’ Monument at Fort DeRussy to honor WWII Japanese American veterans of the 100th, 442nd, and MIS units. Council president Stanley Akita said the group aims to raise an additional $140,000 toward the estimated $760,000 construction cost.
• JA group recognizes WWII researchers, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Japanese Americans Veterans Association (JAVA) recognized Sen. Daniel Akaka, National Archives researcher Richard Boylan, and JAVA member Muneo Okusa at its summer luncheon for their contributions related to WWII Nisei soldiers. Akaka was honored for legislation enabling a search of documents related to Col. Richard Sakakida’s Medal of Honor consideration.

Arts & Entertainment

• Young musicians win fellowships, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Four Japanese American musicians—violinist Michi Wiancko, flutist Mary Fukushima, trombonist David Goya, and oboist Ted Sugata—won 1996 Los Angeles Philharmonic Fellowships for Excellence in Diversity. The fellowships, ranging from $500 to $2,000, aim to identify and nurture symphonic instrumentalists from ethnic communities in the greater Los Angeles area.
• ‘Visas and Virtue’ play planned as film, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Cedar Grove Productions announced pre-production plans for a film based on Tim Toyama’s one-act play about Japanese Consul General Chiune Sugihara, who issued life-saving visas to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. The play previously had successful runs under sponsorship of several Jewish and Japanese American organizations.

Sports

• Yanai named CSULA basketball head coach, by P.C. Staff, page 10. David H. Yanai was named head basketball coach at Cal State University Los Angeles after 19 seasons at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he compiled a 287-223 record. He previously coached nine years at the high school level and served as assistant coach for the 1990 U.S. Olympic Festival West Team.

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