JACL’s 1974 membership changes and Henry Tanaka’s weekend in Placer County

Vol. 77, No. 21, November 23, 1973. 4 pages. View this issue

National JACL President Henry T. Tanaka opened the issue with a column on a weekend in Placer County and the Gilroy meeting of the NC-WNDC district council, where talk turned to membership, Nisei retirement and U.S.-Japan relations. A new 1974 membership card and application procedures were explained for chapters, and Barry Matsumoto wrote about an employment workshop in Philadelphia where Betty Lee Sung spoke. Rep. Patsy Mink and Dr. Clifford Uyeda protested the use of a slur as an abbreviation for Japan in a State Department publication, and the Government Printing Office said it would use ‘Jpn’ instead.

Elsewhere in these four pages: a Los Angeles campaign to give $10 to 1,000 needy people, Fresno JACL’s 50th anniversary honors for Fred Hirasuna, and Edison Uno’s column on commemorating February 19 and Executive Order 9066. Bill Hosokawa wrote about George Nakashima’s furniture shown in Tokyo, and chapter news and a book review round out the issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Weekends West, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. National JACL President Henry Tanaka reflects on a weekend in Placer County and the Gilroy NC-WNDC meeting, where discussions covered membership, Nisei retirement, and US-Japan relations. He argues JACL must act affirmatively on US-Japan issues rather than adopt a wait-and-see attitude.
• As I See It: Philadelphia Meeting, by Barry Matsumoto, page 1. Washington JACL representative Barry Matsumoto describes a Philadelphia employment workshop where Betty Lee Sung’s keynote questioned why Asian Americans are not treated as a minority. He concludes that an organized effort is needed to address employment problems facing Asian Americans.
• Acupuncture vs. Drugs, by Pat Hunter, page 1. A Honolulu Advertiser report describes Dr. Wen’s use of acupuncture to treat opium and heroin withdrawal symptoms, with reported success rates of about 90 percent. The treatment is said to reduce hyperactivity of the nervous system during withdrawal.
• Free, Fat and Forty-Eight, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 2. Former Kashu Mainichi columnist Kats Kunitsugu reflects on leaving her job over an editorial disagreement and the freedom that followed. She describes her job search and the satisfaction of household tasks while building a new routine.
• Pill-Popping Perplexity, by Phil Chikahisa, page 2. Letter writer Phil Chikahisa criticizes a PC cartoon that appeared to sanction pill use by adult leaders, arguing it sends a contradictory message to the Sansei generation. He calls for educating parents, leaders, legislators, and the news media about drug culture.
• JACL and Public Relations, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editors respond to reader views on public relations following Joe Hamanaka’s October 26 column, citing Satoshi Sugita’s perspective on PR for the Nikkei community. They discuss how JACL’s PR Commission should address Japanese American image in both the US and Japan.
• On the Margin, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 2. Kunitsugu describes her experiences shopping and dealing with mail-order merchants in Japan, praising the Ozeki lantern company for its service. She also reflects on her new role as a PC weekly contributor.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reports on an exhibition of furniture by George Nakashima held at the Odakyu Department Store in Tokyo. He notes that Japanese audiences responded to Nakashima’s respect for natural wood and craftsmanship.
• A Minority of One, by Edison Uno, page 3. Edison Uno argues that February 19 and December 18 should be recognized as commemorative dates for Japanese Americans, marking Executive Order 9066 and the Korematsu decision. He urges JACL to advocate national recognition of these days.
• Inside and Straight, by Sumi Potpourri, page 4. A column drawing on Japanese news items about crime rates among housewives, loan company ties to gangsterism, and facts about Japan’s volcanoes and food habits. It concludes with reflections on Japan’s postwar prosperity and national identity.
• Purely Personal, by Hank Miyatake, page 4. A personal column reflects on the nature of love as an emotional accounting system and other observations about daily life and personal opinions. It offers commentary on relationships and the human tendency to measure feelings by what we receive.

National

• New JACL Membership Card and Application Procedures Set for 1974, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Headquarters and the Pacific Citizen have introduced a restyled 1974 membership card and four-part application form to reduce delays in PC subscription start dates. The article outlines new chapter procedures, membership classes, and dues rates.
• Use of ‘Jpn’ Assured by U.S. Government Printers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink and Dr. Clifford Uyeda protested the State Department’s use of the term ‘Jap’ as an abbreviation for Japan in an official publication. The Government Printing Office responded that its style rules do not permit the term and that ‘Jpn’ would be used instead.
• Health Plan Rates Going Up in 1974, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL California Blue Shield Group Health Plan will raise rates for 1974 due to higher hospital costs and medical fees along with high claim payments. The plan also increased its major medical maximum from $300,000 effective November 1, 1973.
• Absentee Ballots Narrow Margin in Seattle Race, by Joe Hamanaka, page 1. Approximately 10,000 absentee ballots counted after the November 6 election narrowed incumbent Wes Uhlman’s lead over challenger Liem Tuai. Tuai, who had claimed the absentee ballots might favor him, did not overtake Uhlman.
• Sirica’s Tape Compromise Based on Mink Legal Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge John Sirica’s decision to review presidential tapes in private drew on the Cannikin case, a legal fight by Rep. Patsy Mink over documents about an underground nuclear test. The U.S. Circuit Court cited that precedent in upholding Sirica’s approach.
• Permanent Status for Washington AAAC Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 1. HB 1169 would establish the Asian-American Advisory Council to the Governor of Washington on a statutory basis, and it was scheduled for hearing before a House committee. The council is currently funded only through January 31, 1974.
• FBI Probes Minority Business Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Justice Department said FBI agents were investigating charges of political and criminal activity in the Office of Minority Business Enterprise program. A government survey found that about 52.7 percent of minority-owned businesses receiving federal aid had failed or were likely to fail.
• JACL-JWRO Fund Campaign Progress, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council is conducting a campaign to raise $15,000 for the Japanese Welfare Rights Organization. As of November 16, donations stood at roughly 57 percent of goal.

Community

• Call Issued for $10,000 to Give 1,000 Needy $10 for Holidays, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1973 Christmas Cheer campaign in Los Angeles launched a fundraising goal of $10,000 to provide $10 holiday gifts to 1,000 needy individuals. Recipients expressed gratitude for the assistance.
• NC-WNDC Quarterly: New Convention Format, Membership Procedures Explained at Gilroy Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WNDC district council quarterly meeting in Gilroy covered the 1974 National Convention format, new membership procedures, and the Headquarters Building Fund drive. Officers and executive board members were elected and installed for 1974.
• Fresno JACL Honors Fred Hirasuna on 50th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Fresno JACL celebrated its 50th anniversary as the American Loyalty League and honored Fred Hirasuna and his wife Setsu for their longtime service. Dr. Kikuo Taira recounted Fred’s history of service to the chapter and community.
• New Advertiser: Sunset Motel, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Monterey Peninsula JACLers James and Yuko Alston are new advertisers in the PC Business Directory, operating the Sunset Motel in Pacific Grove. The motel is located near the Asilomar Conference grounds.
• East Coast JARP Striving to Wrap Up $45,200 Budget, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The East Coast JARP research project has raised about a third of its $45,200 budget as of the New York JACL meeting. Dr. T. Scott Miyakawa discussed the history and immigration of East Coast Issei at the October 20 meeting.
• Cleveland to Host MDYC Workshop, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Midwest District Youth Council workshop is being hosted by the Cleveland Jr. JACL November 23-25 at the downtown Sheraton Hotel. Delegates are expected from several Midwest cities.
• Hawaii Today, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A brief Hawaii news column notes that Hawaii hotels charge the lowest average room rates among resort areas yet earn above-average profits. Additional items cover state energy and economic matters.
• Chapter Pulse: December and January Events, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chapter news includes the Seattle JACL installation dinner featuring UW law school dean Charles Z. Smith, West Valley’s December potluck, and East Los Angeles JACL’s scholarship benefit ball. Several other chapters announced fundraisers and programs.
• West L.A. Elects Arnold Maeda President, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Arnold Maeda was installed as president of the West Los Angeles JACL at a November 10 dinner in Santa Monica. Assemblyman Bob Wilson of the district spoke on Japanese American legislative representation and advocacy.
• Local Scene: Los Angeles and San Diego Briefs, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Local news items include honors for 26 senior citizens by the Gardena Valley Gardeners, funding for the Japanese American Sightless Institute, and the San Diego Yuwa Kai inaugural dinner. Additional briefs cover prize koi shows and community events.
• Stock Offering: Power-Ski Corporation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Power-Ski Corporation offered 221,855 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share to finance manufacturing of a new aquatic recreational vehicle. The offering was made only by prospectus.

In-Depth

• Japanese Gardens Revisited, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A review of the book Japanese Gardens Revisited with color photographs by Teiichi Takakuwa and commentary by Frank Davies and Hirokuni Kobatake traces the history of Japanese garden design. It highlights the influence of Zen Buddhism and the evolution of garden styles across periods.

Military & Veterans

• Hawaiian Tales, by Allan Beekman, page 4. Pacific Book Distributor advertises a collection of eleven stories about Japanese immigrants in Hawaii across the early twentieth century, wartime, and postwar periods. The book is presented as a Nikkei heritage title available for purchase.

Obituaries

• Deaths: Gilchi Aoki, Sutemi Murayama, and Dr. Paul S. Shiozaya, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The obituaries note the deaths of Gilchi Aoki of Long Beach, a pioneer who was the first Issei to obtain a Singer sewing machine franchise, and Sutemi Murayama of New Jersey. They also remember Dr. Paul S. Shiozaya of Seattle, a physician who practiced in Washington for decades.

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