Vol. 76, No. 11, March 23, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue
Plans for JACL’s own home in San Francisco led this six-page issue. Harry K. Honda reported from Portland that the redrawn floor plans for the Sutter St. building added about 1,400 square feet, and that the Executive Committee approved a top cost of $250,000, up from $175,000. National President Henry T. Tanaka wrote on the role of JACL and on why people should join. The front page also covered a new regional office in Portland and a proposed one in New York.
Elsewhere, Little Tokyo property owners received purchase offers from the City of Los Angeles, and a notice told former internees how to claim Yokohama Specie Bank deposits by April 2. Columns by Joe Oyama, Daniel Okimoto and K. Patrick Okura fill page 2 and page 3, and page 5 carries Allan Beekman’s remembrance of Pearl Buck.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Building Plans Modified for New JACL Headquarters in San Francisco, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The redrawn floor plans for the new JACL building on Sutter St. in San Francisco add about 1,400 square feet to accommodate expanded Headquarters staff needs. The Executive Committee approved a top cost figure of $250,000, up from $175,000 when chapters voted to support the project.
- Proposing JACL Regional Office in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eastern District Council of JACL has moved to explore a regional office in New York to handle growing public relations and communications needs. A working committee will draft a proposal for approval at the 1974 national convention.
- JACL Regional Office Opened in Portland, Ore., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Don Hayashi was appointed regional director of the new JACL office opened in Portland on March 3 to serve the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest districts. The office covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah, where approximately 10,000 Asian Americans reside.
- Tri-District Council, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reports on the first Tri-District Council meeting in California, linking the NCWN, PSW and CC districts, and discusses the Hilton boycott. He criticizes Del Webb’s statement about building Arizona camps and urges National JACL to act if CCDC gets no satisfactory response.
- Exec Meeting Highlights, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The National JACL Executive Committee meeting in Portland covered the Jr. JACL accounts, a senior citizen housing proposal, the Manzanar plaque, charter flights, and the 1000 Club’s growth. Members also discussed the 1974 convention planning in Portland.
- Why JACL Today, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 3. Tanaka makes the case for JACL membership, arguing that it is the only national organization concerned with the welfare of Asian Americans and that a full-time Washington office and regional offices strengthen its advocacy. He calls on readers to join the organization.
Commentary
- Role of JACL, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. Tanaka clarifies that JACL is not a foundation or direct service agency but an advocacy membership organization. He argues that JACL must seek outside funds to become an effective advocate for Japanese Americans and Asian Americans.
- American Indian Uprisings, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda reviews the Wounded Knee occupation and the Gallup, N.M. shootout, arguing that Indian protests reflect long-ignored grievances over treaty and water rights. He suggests the government must address these issues through negotiation rather than only responding to bloodshed.
- Manhattan Echoes: Oyamas Head West, by Joe Oyama, page 2. Joe Oyama writes about leaving Manhattan after nearly thirty years to relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio, with a possible later move west to California. He reflects on the farewells and his longing for California.
- Reflections on a Year in Japan, by Daniel Okimoto, page 2. Okimoto, a Nisei who studied at the University of Tokyo, reflects on feeling both anonymous and different in Japan and on the tension between Japanese and Japanese American identities. He concludes that Nisei occupy a dual status as gaijin in Japan, Orientals in America, and a transitional group within the Nikkei community.
- Heredity and Environment, by K. Patrick Okura, page 3. Okura discusses research showing that innate temperament differences appear at birth and persist, while the interaction with environment shapes development. He argues that children should be responded to as individuals rather than measured against average norms.
- Names in the News and Hawaii Today, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A roundup of Hawaii news covers telephone rate increases, the closing of Kohala Sugar, a dry January, and efforts to fluoridate water. It also notes Honolulu downtown revitalization and tourism statistics.
National
- Social Security Credit for All Evacuees Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong introduced a resolution to extend Social Security credit for wartime internment to all persons of Japanese ancestry over age 18 at internment, not just U.S. citizens. The bill responds to letters from Japanese Americans pointing out inequities in the law passed the previous fall.
- Joe Oyama Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Joe Oyama was honored at a dinner for his service to the community. The event drew supporters from the JACL and the broader Japanese American community.
Community
- Federal Budget Cutback Hits Redevelopment, Center Life, by Glenn Omatsu, page 1. Staff cutbacks at the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency will delay several aspects of the Nihonmachi redevelopment, including relocation, demolition, and building maintenance. Projects already cleared with eviction notices will proceed, while others face delays until revenue sharing funds become available.
- Northside of First St. Landowners Get Offers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The City of Los Angeles has mailed purchase offers to owners of Little Tokyo properties on the north side of First St. between San Pedro St. and Central Ave. The city is proceeding separately from the CRA, though the two agencies coordinate relocation assistance for affected tenants.
- Budget Cut May Close Oriental Service Center, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Oriental Service Center in Los Angeles may close June 1 due to federal budget cuts to poverty programs, according to Councilman Gilbert Lindsay. The center serves Asian and other minority residents in the area.
- Montebello JWC Raises $2,400, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Montebello Japanese Woman’s Club raised $2,400 at a Monte Carlo Night and donated checks to the Montebello Guidance Clinic and the XII World Games for the Dent fund. Ritsuko Kawakami was re-elected Montebello SWC president.
- Idaho Falls Winter Fest Draws 3,000, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Idaho Falls JACL Winter Carnival held March 9 drew an estimated 3,000 people to enjoy Oriental foods, games, and entertainment. Proceeds support community programs and charities.
- New L.A. Area Chapter to Be Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A new JACL chapter in Los Angeles held its first organizational meeting March 18 at the Southern California JACL office. Its emphasis will be on social services to the community.
- Berkeley JACL Cage Tournament in 16th Year, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Berkeley JACL basketball tournament marked its 16th year with teams competing for trophies. Sponsors and details of the event were listed.
- Sapporo 200 Official on 40-Day Tour of U.S. Zoos, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Sapporo zoo official is touring American zoos for 40 days, with San Diego rated the top zoo on the itinerary. The visit is part of an exchange of zoo expertise.
Incarceration & Redress
- Former Internees Urged to File Claim to Recover Yokohama Specie Deposit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former internees who held savings accounts at the Yokohama Specie Bank’s American branches may file claims to recover deposits under a law authored by Rep. Spark Matsunaga. Claims must be filed by April 2, 1973, and an estimated one to two thousand people may be eligible.
Military & Veterans
- Mt. Olympus Slates Sacramento Camellia Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Mt. Olympus JACL Sacramento auxiliary announced its participation in the Camellia Festival. Details of its fundraising activities were provided.
Arts & Entertainment
- Foreigners in Mikadoland by Harold S. Williams, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A book review of Harold S. Williams’ Foreigners in Mikadoland, a collection of historical articles on foreign residents and visitors to Japan from the 1800s onward. The book is illustrated and includes notes and an index.
Obituaries
- Pearl Buck: 1892-1973, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman remembers novelist Pearl Buck, author of The Good Earth, following her death in 1973. He discusses her life, her work on China and Japan, and her influence on Western understanding of Asia.
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