Vol. 75, No. 21, November 24, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue
Election results led this six-page issue. Yukus Inouye was elected Utah County Commissioner, the first Nisei in the state to win a countywide office. In Washington, Seattle JACLer John Cy Eng defeated incumbent Michael Ross to become the first Asian American in the state legislature. Roy Hirai won the Malheur County judge race in Oregon. Hilo Mayor Shunichi Kimura’s large victory is covered as well. Eiichi Nagaoka’s byline, Svein Gilje and Allan Beekman also appear inside.
Other news included Associate Justice John F. Aiso’s plan to retire from the California Court of Appeal, and a NASA medal for engineer Masakazu Katow. The San Francisco Center for Japanese American Studies announced a showing of home movies filmed in Topaz and Heart Mountain camps. Iva Toguri d’Aquino was denied relief in her fine case, and Seattle’s International District faced housing costs tied to the stadium. Page 5 carries a book review of The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Yukus Inouye Elected Utah County Commissioner, First Nisei in State to Win Countywide Office, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Yukus Inouye, a longtime civic leader and Mount Olympus JACL member, won election as Utah County Commissioner, becoming the first Nisei in the state to win a countywide office. His campaign drew on decades of service in farm, conservation, and community organizations.
- Seattle JACLer John Eng Wins Seat in Olympia, by Eira Nagaoka, page 1. John Cy Eng, a Seattle JACL past board member, defeated incumbent Michael Ross to become the first Asian American in the Washington State legislature. Eng, an accountant active in International District causes, entered politics after noting Asians were underrepresented in the arena.
- Law Bars Third Term for Hawaii Mayor Kimura, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hilo Mayor Shunichi Kimura, barred by law from seeking reelection in 1976, moved to prevent his department heads from aligning with rival factions during his final term. He won a large victory in the recent election.
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal Won by Telecommunications Engineer Masakazu Katow, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JPL telecommunications engineer Masakazu ‘Smoot’ Katow received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for antenna work supporting X-band space missions. A longtime Boyle Heights resident and East Los Angeles JACLer, he also contributed to radio telescope design.
- Iva Toguri Denied Relief from U.S. Court to Pay Fine, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Iva Toguri d’Aquino, known as ‘Tokyo Rose,’ was denied a hearing in her bid to stop the government from garnishing her wages for a remaining $5,255 of a 1949 treason fine. A partial payment had been made by the Chicago Japanese Civic Association Credit Union.
- Amateur Movies Taken in WRA Camps to Be Shown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Center for Japanese American Studies will screen home movies secretly filmed in Topaz and Heart Mountain camps, with a possible Amache film also shown. Presentations will include Japanese and English narration and a discussion of camp life.
- Housing for Displaced Elderly Asians Near Stadium Site Estimated at $5.4 Million, by Svein Gilje, page 1. A report to Washington’s Governor’s Asian American Advisory Council estimated new housing for elderly Asians displaced by the King County domed stadium would cost at least $5.4 million. The council unanimously backed efforts by Concerned Asians to address the impact on Seattle’s International District.
- Great Interest Shown in Aged Problem as Gerontology Consultant Summoned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegates from four Eastern District Council chapters met in Seabrook, New Jersey, for workshops including one on the Issei aged led by gerontology consultant Sharon Fujii. National JACL President Henry Tanaka also addressed the group on regional office structure and planning.
- 1000 Club Notes: Fantastic Flight to Japan, by Akira Ohno, page 2. Akira Ohno reports on the second 1000 Club charter flight to Japan, which drew travelers from across the U.S. Participants, including several younger Sansei, described the trip as a meaningful experience for those of Japanese heritage.
- Asian American Legal Services Memo Reminder, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A reminder asks chapters and district councils to submit names of attorneys and law students by November 30, 1972, to support outreach to legal professionals. Raymond Uno of Salt Lake City is the designated contact.
- Placer County JACL Hears Mayor Norman Mineta Urge Nisei Civic Involvement, by Roy Yoshida, page 3. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta addressed Placer County JACL’s 32nd goodwill dinner, urging Nisei to engage more in political affairs and environmental betterment. He traced the history of Japanese immigration and exclusion and praised the chapter’s public relations work.
- Sacramento JACLers at ‘Months of Waiting’ Preview in Rotunda, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Assembly Speaker Bob Moretti opened an exhibit of art produced by Japanese American evacuees during World War II at the California State Capitol Rotunda. The preview was co-hosted by the Sacramento JACL and the California Historical Society.
- Japanese Garden Pioneer Fujitaro Kubota Honored by Japanese Government, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle landscaper Fujitaro Kubota, 92, received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class, for pioneering Japanese gardening in America. His firm is now run by his sons and grandsons, and he remains active at Seattle Konkokyo Church.
Commentary
- Hirai Wins Malheur County Judge Race, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Democrat Roy Hirai, a former potato council president and longtime Snake River JACL member, won the Malheur County judge post over a Republican incumbent. He campaigned to make the position full-time and focus on budget oversight.
- Snake River Hosts IDC Meeting Nov. 25, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council quarterly meeting will be held in Ontario, Oregon, hosted by Snake River Valley JACL with National JACL Director Mas Satow attending. Agenda items include a proposed regional office and release of an IDC cookbook.
- The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics: Book Review, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews Michael Novak’s book on white ethnic groups, criticizing its dogmatic claims about national and racial traits. He argues that American-born descendants of immigrants assimilate and that the author’s views are unconvincing.
Military & Veterans
- Justice John Aiso Plans Retirement at Year-End, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Associate Justice John F. Aiso of the California Court of Appeal announced his retirement effective at year’s end after more than 20 years on the bench. The first Nisei judge outside Hawaii, he will join O’Melveny & Myers and previously served as an Army language school director during WWII.
JACL
- Commission on Pan-Asianism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delegates at the national convention approved a commission to study ways for Americans of Asian ancestry to work together. The article urges nominations of potential members and notes growing collaboration among Asian groups.
- National JACL Credit Union Gears for Annual Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Credit Union named a nominating committee to fill two Board of Directors seats and one Credit Committee seat ahead of its February 1973 annual meeting. Members interested in the ballot were directed to contact committee chairman Ichiro Doi.
- Satow Speaks at Eastern District Council Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL Director Mas Satow spoke on ways members become involved in the organization and the long-standing difficulty of balancing JACL’s public positions. He recalled the organization’s wartime stance on evacuation and Issei aliens.
Arts & Entertainment
- Sansei Viewpoint: Takasugi Speech at San Diego JACL Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A columnist recounts a carpool trip to San Diego to hear former JACL legal counsel Bob Takasugi speak at a chapter installation, where he criticized the direction of JACL leadership after the convention. The piece offers a lighthearted account of the evening and Takasugi’s remarks on organizational priorities.
Sports
- Ex-Prep Gridder Kenneth Murashige Named to U.S. Team for Malmo Deaf Games, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former Hollywood High football star Kenneth Murashige was selected for the U.S. volleyball squad at the 1973 Malmo Games for the Deaf in Sweden. Because team members must pay their own way, a fundraising effort has been launched to help cover expenses.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.