Nobel science, civil rights and the words used for the camps

Vol. 86, No. 16, April 28, 1978. 8 pages. View this issue

Japanese scientists who worked alongside Dr. Andrew V. Schally in the research behind his Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine were the subject of the front page, with Dr. Akira Arimura named among them. Commentary filled the inside pages. Kari Nobuyuki wrote about a memorial for civil rights attorney Abraham Lincoln Wirin, Y. George Kodama argued against the Bakke decision, and Raymond Okamura urged readers to say “incarceration” and “imprisonment” instead of government euphemisms. Bill Hosokawa looked at how few Asian Americans work on U.S. daily newspapers.

Also in this issue: a charge of a cover-up against the Los Angeles County coroner, the first event of the new Solano County JACL, and plans for Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. Local stories include the new mayor of Fowler, a Mother’s Day luncheon honoring two Issei women, and a building fund goal met in Watsonville. Joe Oyama and Barry Saiki also wrote columns.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Tulane’s Nobel laureate in medicine credits input of Japanese co-workers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese scientists formed the largest national group of co-workers contributing to research that earned Dr. Andrew V. Schally a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Schally praised figures such as Dr. Akira Arimura and technician Mieko Tanaka for their essential work on brain hormone research.
• Solano County JACL Charter rites May 5, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The newly organized Solano County JACL will hold its Charter and Installation Dinner on May 5 in Fairfield. National JACL President James Murakami is scheduled to speak, and the new chapter officers will be installed.
• Mike Masaoka to speak in S.F., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Washington lobbyist Mike Masaoka will speak on U.S.-Japan trade relations at a May 4 luncheon at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The event is co-sponsored by several local organizations.
• Sometimes, experience means more than books, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert Ouye, newly named mayor of Marina, California, shares his story from a poor Kauai family through Army service and wounds in Korea. He credits his life experience with preparing him for civic leadership as he works to address crime and city finances.
• Yvonne Elliman wraps up solo tour, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Singer Yvonne Elliman completed her first solo nationwide tour in Honolulu on April 9. The Roosevelt High graduate previously originated the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and toured with Eric Clapton.
• Fowler JACL honors new mayor Tom Nagata, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fowler JACL coordinated a community dinner honoring Tom Nagata, the city’s first Japanese American mayor. Nagata, born in Kingsburg, has long been active in local civic and Buddhist community life.
• Two pioneer Issei mothers to be honored by Downtown L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Downtown L.A. JACL will honor Maki Mimaki and Sugi Kotake at its 16th annual Mother’s Day luncheon on May 6 at the New Otani Hotel. The profiles recount each pioneer woman’s immigration, family history, and wartime experience.
• Watsonville JACL meets building fund goal, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Watsonville JACL raised enough money to close the account on its $50,000 JACL Building, which hosts a Sunday senior center. The drive was directed by Ben Umeda and Tommy Sakata.

National

• ‘Cover-up’ charge hurled against L.A. county coroner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Malbour Watson accused L.A. County Coroner Thomas Noguchi of covering up the real cause of death of Ferdinand Bell, a 21-year-old black man who died in jail. Watson alleged that a preliminary finding of asphyxial strangulation was suppressed and called for murder charges.

JACL

• Midwest District elections changed to EDC-MDC confab, by Anna Peterson, page 1. The Midwest District Council voted to hold district officer elections at each biennial EDC/MDC convention rather than in spring. The council also opposed the proposed $8 National dues increase and proposed a national JACL constitutional convention in 1979.
• Chiz Satow passes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Chizuko Satow, wife of former National JACL Director Mas Satow, died April 24 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles after a 20-day stay. Funeral arrangements were pending at the time of publication.
• Principal chairmen for 1978 Nisei Week announced, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Chris Yoshitake, general chairman, announced the principal chairmen for the 1978 Nisei Week Japanese Festival, scheduled for Aug. 19-27 in Little Tokyo. The list includes officers, auditors, and committee coordinators.

Military & Veterans

• Seattle NVC award goes to Moriguchi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle community leader Tomio Moriguchi received the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee award for his service, especially his leadership in establishing the Keiro Nursing Home. The presentation was made during the NVC installation dinner.

Commentary

• A Non-Negotiable Obligation, by Kari Nobuyuki, page 4. Nobuyuki reflects on the April 9 memorial for civil rights attorney Abraham Lincoln Wirin and the debt Japanese Americans owe to allies who fought for their rights. He argues that JACL must remain pro-active in pursuing civil and human rights as an obligation.
• Bakke decision, by Y. George Kodama, page 4. Kodama responds to a letter and a Central California District Council resolution supporting the Bakke decision, arguing that affirmative action is necessary to remedy institutional discrimination. He contends that accepting Bakke signals contentment with second-class status for Asian Americans and threatens civil rights progress.
• Accurate Terminology, by Raymond Okamura, page 4. Okamura urges Japanese Americans to abandon government euphemisms such as evacuation and relocation in favor of accurate terms like incarceration and imprisonment. He argues precise language is essential to communicating the truth about the camps for the reparations campaign.
• Traditionalism and Environmentalism, by Barry Saiki, page 4. Saiki compares the defense of traditional Japanese architecture to environmentalism, noting the pressures of land prices and urbanization in Tokyo. He describes how rising costs have replaced traditional tatami homes with cramped apartments that lack adequate storage.
• Trips to Nostalgia, by Joe Oyama, page 5. Oyama recounts a return trip to Fresno with his wife Setsu, reminiscing with old friends about pre-war and wartime memories. The stories cover youthful dances, car adventures, and the Nisei experience of mixing with white classmates.
• Oriental Journalists, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa examines an ASNE report showing that only about 165 Asian Americans work as journalists on U.S. dailies, a small share of the workforce. He argues minority journalists are needed to achieve fully integrated news coverage.

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