Vol. 86, No. 24, June 23, 1978. 12 pages. View this issue
The death of George Joji Inagaki, a past JACL National President, led this issue. He died June 14, 1978, at age 64. The paper ran a front-page report on his funeral, a tribute from California First Bank, a longer biography, and a revisited copy of his 1932 valedictory speech. Tad Hirota tied a revival of the Thousand Club to Inagaki’s vision, and Inagaki’s own column about Betty Yumori ran on page 7.
Elsewhere, Sharon Suzuki reported on how Proposition 13 worried Asian American leaders. Clifford I. Uyeda answered the argument that redress costs too much, while Ron Hosokawa and Bill Hosokawa wrote columns. Other pages covered the Skokie rally, a California alien land bill, Ross Harano’s close Chicago runoff, and plans for the JACL convention workshops in Salt Lake City.
What’s in this issue
Obituaries
- Inagaki succumbs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Joji Inagaki, a prominent Nisei leader and past JACL National President, died June 14, 1978, at age 64. Tributes from colleagues highlighted his service to JACL and the Japanese American community.
- George J. Inagaki (1914-1978), by P.C. Staff, page 2. California First Bank, where Inagaki served as a longtime director, paid tribute to his wisdom and civic leadership. The statement was signed by the bank’s chairman and president.
- George Inagaki biography continued, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This extended biography traces Inagaki’s rise from Sacramento youth to JACL leader, WWII interpreter for Admiral Nimitz, and two-term National JACL President. It also covers his business career in the flower industry and civic service.
Community
- Harano edged by 600 votes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ross Harano lost the June 13 special runoff for Chicago’s 48th ward alderman by about 600 votes. He is considering another run when the seat faces election in February.
- San Diego Nikkei demands apology for racial slur at commencement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Diego JACL asked the community college board to secure an apology from trustee Lou Ridgeway for a remark linking Japanese Americans to Pearl Harbor at a commencement. Faculty also condemned the comments as racist.
- Fujiwara captures city council seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Yoshio Fujiwara won the lone Fremont, Calif., city council vacancy on June 6 after losing narrowly two years earlier. He plans to revive a citizens budget committee and push for a financial master plan.
- Hawaii lass selected Miss Nikkei Int’l, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Karen Yano of Hawaii was chosen Miss Nikkei International at the pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Shirley Torp and Susan Takei were runner-up and placed among the finalists.
- Councilman Miyoshi selected Calif. coastal commissioner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Santa Maria Councilman Toru Miyoshi was sworn in as a member of the South Central Coast regional commission, believed to be the first Japanese American on the Coastal Commission. He favors preserving the coast while meeting local economic and social needs.
- Reischauer to be convention panelist, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Harvard professor Edwin O. Reischauer will headline a JACL convention workshop on the Japan-U.S. Friendship Act in Salt Lake City. The workshop is one of several open-to-the-public seminars planned for the July convention.
- Nikkei Relays first all-state JACL track meet June 25, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The first all-state JACL track and field meet will be held June 25 at West Los Angeles College. It honors Dr. Robert Watanabe, who revived Nisei track competition, and Jim Okazaki, a key organizer of the north-south series.
National
- Impact of Jarvis-Gann initiative numbs Asian American leaders, by Sharon Suzuki, page 1. Proposition 13 will cut about $7 billion from city and county budgets, with local government absorbing most of the blow. Asian American leaders warn that minorities and public-service employees will be hit hardest.
- New style anti-alien land bill coming up for a vote in Sac’to, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Assemblyman S. Floyd Mori opposed AB 3627, which would bar nonresident aliens and alien business entities from buying California farmland. Mori and JACL representatives argued the bill revives discrimination of the 1920s Alien Land Law.
- High court turns down Skokie request, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Supreme Court cleared the way for a National Socialist Party rally in Skokie, Illinois, by rejecting a postponement request. Tens of thousands of counter-demonstrators were expected to oppose the rally.
Commentary
- The Nazis in Skokie, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that the legal right to peaceful demonstration must not depend on the justice of a group’s cause. It concludes that the Nazi rally, though abhorrent, deserves protection under the First Amendment.
- Valedictory: ‘Future of Calif.’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This piece revisits George Inagaki’s 1932 valedictory speech on the future of California, which predicted the state’s cultural and industrial leadership. It notes that much of his vision has since come to pass.
- Too Costly?, by Clifford I. Uyeda, page 4. Uyeda argues that opposition to redress for Japanese American WWII incarceration on cost grounds misses the essential point of justice. He notes West Germany paid compensation for Nazi-era wrongs and that the U.S. should do no less.
- Japan’s dolphin funds, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article reprints an editorial noting Japan’s modest budget allocation for sound-wave research to keep dolphins away from fishing grounds. It frames the move as a step toward humane solutions after a brutal dolphin slaughter.
- Bias in gov’t jobs should have been kept on as head, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Letters to the editor address discrimination against workers who spoke out on civil rights and the origins of the 1000 Club, and remember George Inagaki as a JACL pioneer. Readers also raise questions about a driver’s handbook and a letter edit.
- Hakujin Friends Think?, by Ron Hosokawa, page 5. The column criticizes Nisei reluctance to speak out for fear of disapproval from white friends. It argues Nisei should support redress for wartime incarceration as readily as they speak at JACL conventions.
- From the Frying Pan: Things You Learn From Reading, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa shares observations on the National Fink Day, Asian American civil service gains, and the fate of WWII internee records. He reflects on how minorities respond to ethnic slurs.
- Whatever happened to Betty Yumori?, by George Inagaki, page 7. Inagaki recalls Betty Yumori’s active JACL service and legendary hospitality before she left the organization disillusioned. He reports she now serves on the board of the Japanese Retirement Home.
- ‘Yellow Peril’: First anti-Asian slogan, by Shigeru Kaneshiro, page 9. This paper traces the origins of the term ‘Yellow Peril’ from 19th-century anti-Chinese rhetoric through anti-Japanese campaigns and exclusion laws. It argues the concept has long fueled racist discrimination and may resurface amid trade tensions.
JACL
- Utah Endowment for Humanities supports convention workshops, by Raymond S. Uno, page 5. Convention co-chair Raymond Uno explains how a Utah Endowment for the Humanities grant made the public workshops possible. He describes the grant’s non-advocacy requirements and invites broad participation.
- From the Chair: Thousand Club revival, by Tad Hirota, page 6. Thousand Club chairman Tad Hirota urges members to support a rebirth of the club through a new $50 tier. He ties the effort to George Inagaki’s vision of fun and renewed fellowship ahead of JACL’s 50th anniversary.
Incarceration & Redress
- Hibakusha aid bill heard again by House subcommittee, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A House subcommittee held a second hearing on bills to provide medical treatment for atomic bomb survivors living in the U.S. Rep. Norman Mineta and Washington JACL’s Harry Takagi were the only witnesses to testify.
Military & Veterans
- Pete Hironaka commemorative Issei painting offered, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Nisei artist Pete Hironaka has created a limited-edition commemorative print honoring the Issei pioneers. The first of a three-painting series is offered in numbered, signed prints.
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