JACL’s operational plan and a critique of the YWCA’s imperative

Vol. 76, No. 14, April 13, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

A national plan for JACL and a sharp critique of another organization shared the front page. National President Henry T. Tanaka described the systematic operational plan that Director Dave Ushio presented for review by the executive committee in Portland. In San Diego, Patricia J. Nakano, JACL Assistant Director for Program Development, told the YWCA’s National Triennial Convention that its 1974-76 imperative put sexism ahead of racism. Bill Hosokawa reflected on the end of US military involvement in Vietnam and recalled the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, while the issue also reported on the last POWs returning to Hawaii, including six Japanese Americans.

Elsewhere, David Ushio honored Mas and Chiz Satow for decades of JACL service and introduced new national staff. Fred Y. Hirasuna questioned how a JACL building project would be financed. Bay Area JACL protested a personalized license plate reading “Jap.” Smaller items covered a Nisei inventor’s Power-Ski, a New York JACL reunion, and a review of Japanese novels.

What’s in this issue

Community

• YWCA Imperative Draws Criticism From JACL’s Patricia Nakano, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Patricia J. Nakano, JACL Assistant Director for Program Development, criticized the YWCA’s 1974-76 imperative at its National Triennial Convention in San Diego for prioritizing sexism over racism. She argued that the YWCA’s objectives for Third World people were substantially weaker than those for women, and that the organization’s programs were characterized by racism.
• S.F. Western Addition A-1 Project Completed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco’s Western Addition A-1 redevelopment project, a federally funded $8.2 million contract, was completed and its mortgage burned at ceremonies at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The project includes Japan Center and 1,818 new homes, one third for low-to-moderate income households.
• New York JACL Hosts First 1000 Club Flight-to-Japan Reunion, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 4. Dr. Frank Sakamoto describes the first 1000 Club Flight-to-Japan reunion held by the New York JACL chapter, which offered warm hospitality despite cold weather. He recounts the photo contest, the distinguished judges, and the chapter’s generous welcome.

JACL

• JACL Presents Systematic Operational Plan for Organization, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. National President Henry T. Tanaka describes a systematic operational plan presented by Director Dave Ushio for initial review by the JACL executive committee in Portland. The plan outlines stages from assessing needs through program evaluation, and Tanaka hopes members will act rather than wait.
• New Staff Members Join JACL National Headquarters, by David Ushio, page 2. Director David Ushio introduces new national staff, including Pat Nakano, Maggie Yamamoto, Gerry Inouye, Claire Sano and Susan Okura. He notes the Assistant Director for Youth and Chapter Development position remains open and encourages members to share ideas directly with headquarters.
• Building Project Financing Questioned by Chapter Leaders, by Fred Y. Hirasuna, page 2. Fred Hirasuna, president of a chapter, urges reconsideration of a CCDC proposal to finance a JACL building project from the Endowment Fund rather than per capita assessments. He argues chapters would not have approved the project had they understood it would be financed by member assessments.

Military & Veterans

• 25th Infantry Div. Will Be Part of Hawaii Guard Realignment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong announced that the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade and the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment will round out the 25th Infantry Division in the event of wartime mobilization. The 100th Battalion will retain its distinctive insignia and battle streamers.
• Last POWs Welcomed Home at Hickam Air Force Base, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The last American POWs released from Communist prison camps in Vietnam returned to Hawaii, including six Japanese Americans. Among them, Col. James Nagahiro thanked crowds for their support and credited their release to God and President Nixon.
• Vietnam War Ends With Final POW Release, Writer Reflects, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the official end of US military involvement in Vietnam, noting the costs in lives and money and the divisiveness it caused. He recalls the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s history and warns that the justification of military necessity has been used against Asian Americans before.

Commentary

• Bay Area JACL Protests ‘Jep’ Personalized License Plate, by Phil Ihara, page 1. Phil Ihara wrote to David K. Marty of the California Department of Motor Vehicles objecting to a remark that ‘Jap’ may not be offensive and asking that the personalized plate be recalled. He argues the word is the ugliest name for Japanese Americans and that JACL has worked to eradicate it.
• Mas and Chiz Satow Honored for Decades of JACL Service, by David Ushio, page 2. David Ushio recounts an event honoring former National Director Mas Satow and his wife Chiz for their decades of service to JACL. He notes that Chiz served as the organization’s Girl Friday while Mas traveled, and that JACL’s progress owes much to this couple.
• Communication Gap Hurts US-Japan Relations, Seminar Concludes, by Mas F. Shono, page 2. A seminar in San Francisco concluded that communication between the United States and Japan is inadequate given the importance of the relationship. Panelists agreed that misunderstandings arise from differing styles of policymaking rather than fundamental conflicts.
• Financing Public Education and the Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The editorial examines the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in the San Antonio case, which rejected claims that unequal local property-tax funding of schools violated the Constitution. It concludes that the state legislature, not the courts, must address the principle that a child’s education should not depend on where he lives.
• Crisis in Identity and Contemporary Japanese Novels Reviewed, by Richard Gim, page 5. Richard Gim reviews Arthur G. Kimball’s book on Japanese novels, which guides readers through modern Japanese fiction as a means of understanding the Japanese self-image. The review praises the book as a practical introduction for newcomers to Japanese literature.

In-Depth

• Power-Ski Invention Developed by Nisei Entrepreneur, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Ono, a Nisei inventor, developed the Power-Ski, a motorized water recreational vehicle, after conceiving the idea in 1968. The Chicago-based Power-Ski Corp. plans mass production in about six months, with three models planned.

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