Vol. 86, No. 22, June 9, 1978. 8 pages. View this issue
A nationwide appeal for the Masao W. Satow Memorial Fund opened this 8-page issue. The fund will research and write the history of the Japanese American Citizens League, and nearly $8,300 had been acknowledged when the campaign began. Mike Masaoka, committee chairman, said money left after publication would go toward preserving historic JACL materials. An editorial urged readers to support the project. Also on the front page, Pacific Southwest JACL relaunched its campaign against the ‘Kenzo the Jap’ label, and witnesses pressed for the Japanese American Internment Credit bill, S 224, which Rep. Mineta had authored in the House.
Elsewhere, a Federal Highway Administration report found bias against Asian Americans in highway construction trades. Frank A. Aukofer profiled Kaz Oshiki, aide to Rep. Kastenmeier. Bill Marutani and Bill Hosokawa wrote columns, and readers argued over reparations and Col. Bendetsen in the letters. Page 7 announced a scholarship named for Saburo Kido and reported the PSW Nisei Relays.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Public Campaign Underway for Satow Memorial Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL launched a nationwide appeal for the Masao W. Satow Memorial Fund to research and write the JACL history. Nearly $8,300 has been acknowledged so far, and funds beyond publication costs will preserve historic materials.
- Japanese in Brazil Celebrating 70th Year, by From the Japan Times, page 1. Brazilians of Japanese descent are preparing a gala 70th anniversary celebration of the first Japanese emigrants, highlighted by a visit from Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko. Events include a new Japanese Immigrants Museum in Sao Paulo and performances by the Takarazuka troupe.
- JACL Launches New Anti-Kenzo Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pacific Southwest JACL’s Ethnic Concerns Committee relaunched opposition to the ‘Kenzo the Jap’ label after it reappeared in a Bullocks Wilshire ad. Chapters are asked to donate to fund advertising in the fashion trade press.
- JACCC-Japan Fund Drive Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nearly $2 million has been pledged or donated in Japan for the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Organizers are optimistic the remaining $1 million of the $3 million target will be met.
- Drivers Handbook in Nihongo Prepared, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Japanese edition of the California drivers license handbook, translated by Akiko Docker, is being updated and is expected by August. The San Mateo JACL intervened to move the project forward.
- Seek Host Families for Exchange Students, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JICE is seeking American families to host Japanese high school students for a year beginning this September. Host families receive a $100 monthly living allowance.
- Buddhists Name New National President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Katsumi Tokunaga was elected 1978 national president of the Buddhist Churches of America. The national council also approved a $380,000 budget and a $100,000 Institute of Buddhist Studies budget.
- Orange County Sweeps PSW Nisei Relays, by Taka Iinuma, page 7. Orange County JACL won six of seven division titles at the PSW Nisei Relays held at West Los Angeles College. Several events set new records and results were tabulated for individual and team scoring.
National
- Government Study Shows Bias Against Asians in Highway Construction Work, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A 54-page Federal Highway Administration report found Asian Americans face racial discrimination in highway construction trades and apprenticeship programs. The report recommends wide dissemination of findings and equitable treatment in on-the-job training.
- Kaz Oshiki: Washington, D.C. JACLer, Key Aide to Rep. Kastenmeier, by Frank A. Aukofer, Milwaukee Journal, page 2. Kaz Oshiki, a former WWII internee and Army veteran, became administrative assistant to Rep. Robert Kastenmeier. He worked on legislation banning detention camps and has served as the congressman’s senior staff member for over 18 years.
- Anti-Nuclear Petitions Delivered in U.N., by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twelve tons of signatures, nearly 20 million, calling for nuclear disarmament were delivered to the United Nations by over 500 people from Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Sunao Sonoda addressed the General Assembly on the issue.
- Asian American Course Dropped at Bowling Green, by P.C. Staff, page 2. R. Errol Lam learned that the Asian American section and his Introduction to Asian American Studies course were cut from Bowling Green State University. Groups are urged to write to university officials requesting reinstatement.
- Violent Black Protests as in ’60s Foreseen, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Chicago Urban League director James Compton warned that unemployment among black youth could spark violent protests like those of the 1960s. He called for relief for the growing cadre of the poor.
Incarceration & Redress
- Advocates of S 224 Press for Internment Credit Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Witnesses testifying for the Japanese American Internment Credit bill, S 224, gathered after a Senate subcommittee hearing. The bill is the counterpart of House-passed HR 9741 authored by Rep. Mineta.
Commentary
- Editorial: Funds for a Pet Project, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial urges popular support for the Masao W. Satow Memorial Fund to finance the JACL Story, a project Satow wished to pursue. The committee set a $100,000 goal, roughly $50 per JACL family.
- Letters to the Editor on Reparations and Bendetsen, by Michi N. Weglyn; Harry Takagi; Ken Hayashi; William Hohri, page 4. Readers debated Col. Bendetsen’s wartime role and biographical claims, the 1000 Club’s potential, and whether Reparations are a payoff or justified redress. Letter writers responded to earlier letters from Keiko Hodge and Mas Odoi.
- Signs of Our Times, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Marutani reflects on his Philadelphia JACL directory and the growing presence of non-Nisei friends and intermarriage among Sansei. He views these changes as a sign of the times.
- From the Frying Pan: Pre-teen Enterprise, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa recounts two young girls who offered to help rake his yard and how he paid them. He finds encouragement in their enterprise.
In-Depth
- Impact of Japanese Business in New York, by The New York Nichibei, page 5. A Japan Society study found Japanese firms in New York grew from 319 to 436 between 1965 and 1976, with major tax, employment, and spending effects. The report concludes Japanese business generates far more local employment than the diplomatic community.
JACL
- National JACL Scholarships: One Named for the Late Sab Kido, by Rich Okabe, page 7. JACL’s National Scholarship Program will offer a freshman scholarship honoring Saburo Kido, a founding pioneer and past National President. Kido led the organization through evacuation, relocation, and resettlement.
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