Vol. 82, No. 13, April 2, 1976. 6 pages. View this issue
Executive Order 9066 and the Iva Toguri case led this six-page issue. The Seattle JACL Evacuation Redress Committee was credited with starting the effort that led President Ford to sign Proclamation 4417, formally lifting Executive Order 9066. Ronald Yates of the Chicago Tribune reported that Japanese witnesses from the Iva Toguri trial said they were pressed to give false testimony. Several pieces, including a tribute by Sachi Seko and a column by Patrick Ogawa, remembered Mas Satow, a longtime JACL leader.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa profiled Michi Nishiura Weglyn and her book Years of Infamy, and Frank Chin compared the films Go for Broke! and Farewell to Manzanar. Readers will also find a nomination for Col. Theodore S. Kanamine to brigadier general, the Wendy Yoshimura Fair Trial Fund appeal, and an editorial on three Supreme Court decisions.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Seattle JACL Committee Started Move to Eliminate E.O. 9066, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL Evacuation Redress Committee initiated efforts that led to President Ford signing Proclamation 4417 to formally lift Executive Order 9066. Governor Evans, state officials, and White House contacts were involved in the process.
- Bannai Cleared of Election Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s Fair Political Practices Commission cleared Assemblyman Paul Bannai and three other legislators of wrongdoing for accepting honoraria for a medical seminar speech. Bannai maintained the fee was an honorarium rather than a campaign contribution.
- PSW Ethnic Concerns Committee Elects Sakai, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Southwest District Ethnic Concerns Committee elected Henry Sakai as chairman and discussed issues including media coverage of camps and local school concerns. Members also prepared suggestions for the upcoming National Convention.
- Longtime School Volunteer Saluted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mary Ishizuka, a West Los Angeles JACL member, was honored by the Los Angeles City Council for decades of volunteer work in schools. Her work included bilingual tutoring and adult education programs.
- Wendy Yoshimura Fair Trial Fund Pushes for $35,000, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A final appeal is being made to raise the remaining funds for the Wendy Yoshimura Fair Trial Fund, which is about half of its goal. Fundraising activities in Northern California and national media appeals are underway.
- Wendy to Get Degree from Oakland College, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Wendy Yoshimura will graduate from California College of Arts and Crafts despite being unable to attend the ceremony. The college confirmed she had fulfilled graduation requirements.
Incarceration & Redress
- Tokyo Rose Accusers Told to Lie, by Ronald Yates, page 1. Chicago Tribune Far East correspondent Ronald Yates interviewed Japanese witnesses from the Iva Toguri trial who said they were coerced into giving false testimony. Former witnesses described fear of government reprisal and regret for their testimony.
- Michi’s Infamy, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa profiles Michi Nishiura Weglyn and her book Years of Infamy on the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. He traces her path from farm girl and Gila High student to a decade-long writing effort.
Military & Veterans
- Kanamine Named for Brig. General, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Col. Theodore S. Kanamine was nominated by President Ford for brigadier general, likely becoming the first Japanese American general on active duty. The article also notes two earlier Nisei Hawaii National Guard generals.
Commentary
- Supreme Court Decisions, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reviews three Supreme Court decisions from late March 1976, covering military authority over civilians, defamation and due process, and retroactive seniority for minority workers. It argues these rulings bear on civil liberties relevant to the Japanese American community.
- Best on a One-to-One Basis, by Washington, page 3. A writer remembers Mas Satow as a JACL leader devoted to fighting discrimination and cultivating members personally. The piece reflects on his legacy and the lessons younger generations can draw from him.
- The Soul of JACL, by Patrick Ogawa, page 3. A college student recalls how Mas Satow helped him as a freshman and describes him as the heart of JACL. The writer credits Satow’s guidance with shaping his commitment to the organization.
Obituaries
- He Made Us Laugh and Sing, by Sachi Seko, page 2. Sachi Seko pays tribute to Mas Satow, a longtime JACL leader whose leadership and warmth left a lasting legacy. She recalls a Gila camp evening when he led songs and lifted spirits.
- Mas Satow Remembrance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tributes honor Mas Satow for his service to JACL and the community. Contributors describe his leadership and personal kindness.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Go for Broke!’ vs. ‘Farewell to Manzanar’, by Frank Chin, page 4. Frank Chin contrasts the 1951 film Go for Broke!, which used Japanese American characters and speech, with the 1976 film Farewell to Manzanar, which he argues was shaped to appeal to white audiences. He criticizes director John Korty’s stated intent to make the story palatable to whites.
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