Rethinking the JACL conference, plus a record membership count

Vol. 77, No. 14, October 5, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

Henry T. Tanaka, the National JACL President, opened the issue by asking why JACL kept calling some conference attendees “booster delegates.” He wrote that every attender should be treated as an informed delegate, and described plans for the 1974 conference in Portland. The membership count was also front-page news: 27,492 active members as of August 31, with 22 chapters at all-time highs. The Fresno American Loyalty League marked its 50th anniversary, and Arthur Michio Nonomura of San Francisco won the Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Scholarship.

Elsewhere in the six pages, Rep. Spark Matsunaga received an honorary degree from Soochow University in Taipei, and the Seattle JACL agreed to sponsor a proposed community center. A zoning request for the Little Tokyo Towers hotel was postponed. Tom Hibino wrote about the use of “Jap,” Gail Nishioka about citizenship and Watergate, and Toshiko Kameda about a ruling on Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. A legislative calendar lists federal bills of interest to Japanese Americans.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Call It ‘Conference’, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. JACL National President Henry Tanaka argues that attendees at National JACL Conferences should all be treated as informed delegates rather than “booster delegates.” He outlines the 1974 Portland conference plans to involve delegates in small task groups and grassroots resolution development.

Community

• Arthur Nonomura wins Dr. Nobe scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Arthur Michio Nonomura of San Francisco was named winner of the $500 Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Scholarship administered by the JACL. The award recognizes his graduate work in botany at UC Berkeley and his academic promise.
• Federal funding sought to build community center, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL agreed to sponsor a proposed Japanese cultural and community center, helping meet a federal funding deadline. The project could receive up to $400,000 in federal matching funds with the remainder covered by local contributions and a bank loan.
• Bradley’s home precinct favored Takei in election, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An analysis of the recent Los Angeles 10th District council race found that Councilman Bradley’s home precinct strongly favored George Takei. The article notes the irony of the results in the context of the campaign.
• Fresno’s 50th refreshing pause, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The Fresno American Loyalty League marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration honoring charter members and longtime leaders such as Fred Hirasuna. Speakers emphasized JACL’s continuing role as new challenges face Japanese Americans.
• Aug. 31 summary shows 22 chapters with all-time high, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL national membership reached 27,492 active members as of August 31, with 22 chapters setting all-time highs. Two district councils also recorded record membership levels.
• Liem Tuai: a Seattle mayoral contender, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Liem Eng Tuai, a self-described amateur politician, advanced toward a Seattle mayoral race against incumbent Wes Uhlman after a strong primary showing. The article profiles his background and the campaign dynamics ahead of the November general election.
• Federal funds sought for Little Tokyo zoning change for hotel postponed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A City Council planning committee postponed action on a zoning change request for the Little Tokyo Towers high-rise hotel. Community representatives raised concerns about traffic, the project’s impact, and the senior housing component.
• George Saiki saluted by community at testimonial dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Los Angeles community groups honored George Saiki at a testimonial dinner in Chinatown for a decade of service with Mayor Sam Yorty. Speakers included Kenji Ito and Assemblyman Paul Bannai.
• Fremont JACL booth wins prize and membership reaches record, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Fremont JACL won a $100 prize for its decorative booth at a community event and announced a record membership of 701. Members celebrated at a buffet dinner hosted by chapter co-chairmen.
• Alameda JACL to host parents dinner program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Alameda JACL planned a parents appreciation dinner honoring Issei and Nisei parents at the Alameda Buddhist Church. The program includes dinner, games, and entertainment.

National

• Call Sparky ‘Dr. Matsunaga’, if you will, by P.C. Washington Bureau, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Soochow University in Taipei, the first foreigner and only third person so honored by the school. The honor recognized his long public service, including his work on the Trading with the Enemy Act revisions.

Military & Veterans

• Mykawa: the story of a Japanese rice colony in Texas, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The Editor’s Desk recounts the story of Shimpei Maekawa, an Issei who founded a rice colony near Houston in 1905 and whose name became a Texas road and railroad station. It also recounts early rice farming efforts in Texas and California.
• Hawaii Nisei and the Japanese pioneer legacy in Malaya, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Pacific Citizen bibliography column reviews books on the Pacific War, including accounts of the Japanese conquest of Singapore. It also summarizes news from Hawaii about Molokai, fishing, and community matters.

Commentary

• Citizenship?, by Gail Nishioka, page 2. Gail Nishioka reflects on the National Conference on Citizenship and the erosion of public trust in government after Watergate. She argues that children must be taught that critical thinking and active participation are central to citizenship.
• Use of ‘Jap’ resurges, by Tom Hibino, page 3. Tom Hibino argues that the use of the slur “Jap” resurges as U.S.-Japan relations sour, and that JACL campaigns against it must acknowledge that the underlying prejudice persists. He criticizes the National JACL brochure for implying the prejudice is gone.
• Principle and actuality: the SDF ruling, by Toshiko Kameda, page 3. Toshiko Kameda examines a Sapporo District Court ruling declaring Japan’s Self-Defense Forces unconstitutional and places it in the context of Japan’s constitutional debate. She argues that Japan’s habit of separating principle from actuality shapes the controversy.
• Hanae Mori wins ‘Oscar’ of fashions, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese designer Hanae Mori received a major fashion award praised for her mastery of diaphanous chiffon. The brief notes her career and business ties with her son.

Incarceration & Redress

• Legislative calendar: federal bills affecting Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Citizen’s legislative calendar summarizes pending federal bills concerning camp-era retirement credit, Social Security benefits for internees, Vietnam orphans, and Japanese American Friendship legislation. Each entry lists sponsors, synopses, and current committee status.

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