Vol. 85, No. 2, July 8, 1977. 8 pages. View this issue
A heated June 21 Redevelopment Agency hearing over Japantown housing led this issue. Yori Wada faced hostile demonstrators as he urged the agency to keep its commitment to demolish an old apartment building on Buchanan Street and make the site available for housing in the Nihonmachi plan. Donald Canter reported the story. Elsewhere on the front page, the American Medical Association tabled a resolution on aid to Hiroshima survivors in the United States, and Helen Kawagoe was passed over as U.S. Treasurer.
An editorial and a news item both took up Rep. Norman Mineta’s bill on civil service retirement credit for Japanese Americans interned in World War II, which stalled when a hearing was dropped. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Barry Saiki, Sachi Seko, Wayne Horiuchi and Sumi Shimizu fill the commentary pages. Sports, community news and a profile of steel guitarist Buckie Shirakata round out the eight pages.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Angry words fly over J-town housing, by By DONALD CANTER, page 1. Yori Wada faced hostile demonstrators during a June 21 Redevelopment Agency hearing on a controversial Japantown housing issue. The confrontation strained an alliance between activists and local officials over plans for the Buchanan and Sutter Street buildings.
- AMA conference tables move to aid Hibakusha, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Medical Association tabled a resolution supporting government assistance for Hiroshima bombing survivors living in the United States until its October meeting. Dr. Thomas Noguchi’s appeal for support failed to win the delegates over.
Community
- Teahouse display wins first prize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Carson JACL’s Japanese Teahouse and Garden took first prize at the fifth annual Carson Mall Cultural Fair. Eleven ethnic groups participated in the event.
- Sansei returning from Malaysia stay, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kerry Kuroki was scheduled to return to Southern California after a two-year Peace Corps assignment as a preschool teacher in Malaysia. Her father served as a WWII air corps tail gunner.
- Nisei teacher strong advocate of basic reading at college, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento City College reading instructor Midori Hiyama received the Division Council Recognition Award for her work in developing college reading programs. She has co-authored reading texts and built a reading lab concept on campus.
National
- Kawagoe called but not chosen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Carter selected Azie T. Morton as U.S. Treasurer, passing over eight candidates including Gardena Valley JACL president Helen Kawagoe. Kawagoe had been interviewed earlier in the year.
- Asians criticize Census test site, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Washington JACL representative Wayne Horiuchi testified that the Census Bureau’s preference for Richmond, Va., as the 1980 dress rehearsal site was inappropriate. He argued for a site with a higher concentration of minority groups.
- San Benito school board reprimands teacher, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Benito County school board officially reprimanded history teacher John Buchanan for anti-Japanese remarks made in class. Buchanan had apologized and resigned as social studies department chairman.
- Mansfield’s slang mystifies Tokyoans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield startled Japanese reporters at his first press conference with informal American slang. Embassy officers were later asked to explain his remarks.
- Hearing off on retirement credit bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A House subcommittee decided not to hold public hearings on Rep. Norman Mineta’s bill granting civil service retirement credit to Japanese Americans interned in WWII, citing budget cuts. Advocates hope for action when the FY 1979 budget is considered in the fall.
- Hayakawa after aliens on welfare, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sen. S.I. Hayakawa introduced legislation requiring sponsors of immigrants to be responsible for their welfare for three years. The bill targets the widespread receipt of supplemental security and medical benefits by newly arrived legal aliens.
- Arms sales ban, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Senate adopted Sen. Spark Matsunaga’s amendment to the International Security Assistance Act prohibiting arms sales to countries harboring international terrorists. The amendment followed reports of hundreds of deaths and injuries in terrorist incidents since 1968.
- Law denying college aid to aliens invalidated, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law that denied tuition aid to aliens who had not applied for citizenship. The court held that the law violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection.
Military & Veterans
- Pacific Area VFW back Nisei legislation, by Alex Yorichi, page 2. VFW posts in the Pacific area endorsed two resolutions of interest to Nisei at their June convention at Camp Zama. The resolutions on civil service retirement credit and reparations for evacuees were forwarded to the national VFW convention in August.
- Probation officer’s quick action disarms assailant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Deputy Probation Officer Masaru Hisamune was honored with a 1976 Valor Award for disarming an armed probationer in his El Monte office. He wrestled the suspect to the floor until police arrived.
Sports
- JACL tourney bowlers want to see big 22 teams in first Satow memorial handicap, by Chiz Satow, page 2. The first annual National JACL Mas Satow Memorial handicap bowling tournament drew 22 teams to Japantown Bowl in San Francisco. Participants hope future editions will return to the 100-team level of earlier years.
Obituaries
- Tsutae Kamimoto, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tsutae Kamimoto of San Juan Bautista died June 21 at age 54. He had served as San Benito County JACL president in 1964.
Commentary
- Time to Sound Off, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges Japanese Americans to press for the Mineta bill granting retirement credit for WWII internment time. It calls for a public hearing this summer, as the House budget cuts have stalled the legislation.
- Welcome to the club, Buchanan!, by Dennis A. Roland, page 4. A reader letter responds to the San Benito teacher’s remarks by recalling Pearl Harbor and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s record. The writer argues that the Pacific War’s atomic bombings and the U.S. government’s conduct deserve scrutiny.
- Nisei in Japan: Oh, Say Can You…, by Barry Saiki, page 4. The column traces the history of Japan’s national anthem Kimigayo and the controversy over its official status. It compares this with the origins of the Star Spangled Banner.
- What $50 wrought in 30 years, by Sumi Shimizu, page 4. The Chicago JACL Credit Union marks its 30th anniversary, recounting its founding by a small group of members with a $50 initial deposit. Early officers describe the struggle to obtain a federal charter.
- A $27 Billion Pie, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 5. Horiuchi describes the newly formed National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and its goal of redirecting private philanthropic dollars toward minority and powerless groups. He invites readers to join assessments of philanthropic giving.
- From Happy Valley: Nisei Marriages Evolving, by Sachi Seko, page 5. Seko reflects on the Nisei marriage as an institution that has changed from the rigid Issei models. She describes how younger women are increasingly breaking free of traditional constraints.
- From the Frying Pan: Our Bag of Mail, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa shares reader letters about his columns on The Tale of Genji translations and the cost of noodles. He reports on readers’ comments about literary preferences and wage comparisons.
Arts & Entertainment
- Buckie Shirakata still strumming strong, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Hawaiian-born steel guitarist Buckie Shirakata has performed in Japan since before the Pacific War. He continues to lead the Aloha Hawaiians and appears on Japanese television.
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