Vol. 75, No. 15, October 13, 1972. 4 pages. View this issue
A proposed JACL legal service arm opened the issue. Chapters and district councils were asked to compile lists of Asian American lawyers to help national legal counsel Raymond Uno, with a possible Asian American bar association to follow. The front page also reported that President Nixon signed HR 8215, a bill letting Japanese nationals interned or paroled in World War II file claims on yen deposits in the prewar Yokohama Specie Bank, with the story tracing the work of Mike Masaoka and JACL.
The NBC documentary Guilty By Reason of Race set off an exchange of views. Miyuki Mochida Hirano, who appeared on the cover of Executive Order 9066, defended the Issei and Nisei, Edison Uno replied, and Terry Ishihara wrote on forgiveness and remembrance. Thomas N. Shigekuni and Henry S. Sakai also traded letters on the JACL convention. Page 4 covered the 100th Battalion memorial service in Honolulu.
What’s in this issue
Community
- JACL Legal Service Arm Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters and district councils are compiling lists of Asian American lawyers to help national JACL legal counsel Raymond Uno establish a legal service arm and possibly an Asian American bar association. The proposed group would focus on public benefits, civil rights, consumer protection, and aliens’ rights, pooling resources to challenge unresponsive agencies.
Commentary
- Nixon signs yen claims bill, cites Nikkei contributions to America, by P.C. Washington Bureau, page 1. President Nixon signed HR 8215, allowing Japanese nationals interned or paroled in WWII to file for recovery of yen deposits in the prewar Yokohama Specie Bank. The article traces the legislative history led by Mike Masaoka and JACL and quotes Nixon’s statement on the significance of Japanese American contributions.
- E.O. 9066 cover girl speaks out, by Miyuki Mochida Hirano, page 1. Miyuki Hirano, pictured on the cover of Executive Order 9066, responds to the NBC documentary Guilty By Reason of Race, defending her parents’ generation and the quiet majority of Issei and Nisei. She criticizes Edison Uno’s portrayal of Japanese Americans as second-rate citizens.
- Edison Uno responds to Hirano letter, by Edison Uno, page 2. Edison Uno apologizes for offense caused by his NBC remarks but disputes Hirano’s characterizations of his views on Issei passivity and Japanese American identity. He notes his own family history in the camps and his long teaching career on Japanese American studies.
- Terry Ishihara on NBC-TV essay, by Terry Ishihara, page 2. Terry Ishihara offers reflections on the NBC documentary Guilty By Reason of Race, urging forgiveness without bitterness and remembrance of Evacuation as a constructive lesson. He argues that the quiet Nisei and the vocal Sansei each have valuable roles in society.
- Thomas N. Shigekuni letter on JACL convention debates, by Thomas N. Shigekuni, page 2. Thomas Shigekuni defends his Washington Report on the JACL convention and the PSWDC delegation debates, arguing that his perspective differed from Henry Sakai’s. He asserts that JACL needs members of conviction willing to speak openly.
- Henry S. Sakai on JACL convention and PSWDC vote, by Henry S. Sakai, page 2. Henry Sakai responds to criticism of his article on the PSWDC delegation, explaining why he voted against confirmation of Ray Ushio, citing conclusory statements rather than facts in the debates. He challenges the claim that his vote was unconscionable.
Military & Veterans
- Memorial ceremonies honor 100th Battalion, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 100th Infantry Battalion held its 27th annual memorial service at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, honoring members who died in WWII and Korea. Gen. W.B. Rosson delivered the memorial address.
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