Vol. 78, No. 7, February 22, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue
JACL’s direction was the main subject of the front page. National President Henry Tanaka reviewed the organization’s priorities, including the Community Involvement Program and the National Council’s deficit budget, and wrote about the Cleveland headquarters meeting changing needs. He also explained JACL’s letter to Rep. Peter Rodino supporting a principled impeachment inquiry into President Nixon. Harry K. Honda reported how two district councils responded, and another story described the new small-group format planned for the 23rd Biennial National JACL Convention in Portland.
Other pages carried a Hayashi family pledge of $11,000 to the JACL Building Fund, a $4 million suit against a Moose Lodge, and a Chrysler-Plymouth radio spot withdrawn after JACL objected. Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa, Joe Oyama and Kats Kunitsugu, a report that Manzanar may become part of the California State Park System, and Sacramento JACL’s backing of the Issei Oral History Project.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Priorities: JACL Cleveland Headquarters Must Meet Changing Organization Needs, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Henry Tanaka, JACL National President, reviews the organization’s priorities, including the Community Involvement Program and budget decisions by the National Council. He argues that the National Council’s deficit budget reflects waning commitment to the organization’s national staff and future direction.
- Convention Format to Change; Decision-Making Process Reset, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 23rd Biennial National JACL Convention in Portland will adopt a new format with small group sessions for chapter delegates to make decisions and set priorities. The change aims to unify chapters through shared experience and more effective national decision-making.
- Inouye Receives $270,000 for Own Campaign; One from Friend Investigated by Watergate Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye received $270,474 in campaign contributions, including $5,000 from George Steinbrenner, whose company officials testified before the Watergate Committee. Inouye’s office said the contribution was a personal check from an old friend and political supporter.
National
- Letter to Rodino on Presidential Impeachment Inquiry, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Tanaka explains JACL’s letter to Rep. Peter Rodino supporting a principled impeachment inquiry into President Nixon without prejudging the outcome. He clarifies that the position does not call for impeachment but for proper legal process.
- Radio Spot Hit by JACL: National Board Pitch for Chrysler-Plymouth Withdrawn, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Chrysler-Plymouth radio commercial using a contrived Japanese accent was withdrawn by its advertising agency after JACL and other groups objected. The offending spot had aired on Bay Area stations and JACL had requested it be pulled.
- Sennett Files $4 Million Suit Against Moose Lodge, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three Sacramento couples, including a Japanese American and a Chinese American family, filed a $4 million suit after being refused entry to a Moose Lodge dinner because only Caucasians were allowed. The suit charges intentional malice and discrimination.
- Ambassador’s High School Teacher Present at Portland Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yasukawa was reunited with his high school teacher Asato Dotono at a Portland trade conference banquet. Dotono, who settled in Portland after World War II, had not seen his former student in 46 years.
- Two JACL District Councils Express Opinions on Impeachment Inquiry, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The Central California and Pacific Southwest District Councils voiced opinions on JACL President Henry Tanaka’s letter supporting the House impeachment inquiry. The Central California council criticized the letters as written without proper authorization from the National Council or Board.
Community
- Hayashis Pledge $11,000 to JACL Building Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Donald Hayashi and family pledge $11,000 to the JACL Building Fund in memory of their parents, with a conference room to be named in honor of Mrs. Hayashi. The article traces the family’s longstanding involvement in JACL since its early years in San Francisco.
- 170 Teams Sign for JACL Pinfest in Sacramento, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A total of 170 teams, 112 men and 58 women, have entered the 1974 National JACL bowling tournament at Country Club Lanes in Sacramento. Tournament organizers anticipate around 1,000 bowlers including participants from Japan and Hawaii.
- Sacramento Backs Issei Oral History Project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sacramento JACL voted to contribute $1,000 to the Issei Oral History Project, which aims to raise $15,000 to interview 100 Issei and translate the materials. The project is chaired by Mrs. Asako Tokuno with the Rev. Heihachiro Takarabe as coordinator.
- Shiko Hayashi: Dr. Hayashi’s Career and JACL Ties, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Hayashi, a dentist in San Francisco, traces his career and his family’s JACL involvement, including his service as president during the organization’s early years. He discusses his World War II experience and his return to San Francisco after the war.
- Nisei Farmers League Dinner: Moretti Faces Tough Audience, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Assemblyman Bob Moretti addressed the Nisei Farmers League installation dinner in Fresno, ignoring his prepared economic speech to focus on farm labor disputes. He faced a skeptical audience as he discussed labor negotiations and rights for farmworkers.
Commentary
- Polluting the Ocean, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda criticizes a Torrance group’s boycott of Japanese and Russian products over whaling while ignoring larger ocean pollution by the United States. He notes that the whaling debate involves disputed population figures and that the real issue is which data to believe.
- Defense Budget, by Jerry Enomoto, page 2. A letter writer praises Gail Nishikawa for criticizing the Pentagon’s budget and recalls World War II shortages of mortar shells and hand grenades that cost lives. He calls for cutting the $87.7 billion defense budget.
- Tehachapi, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. A columnist reflects on the fragility of life after the tragic death of Dr. Toshio Yumibe in a surf accident and a colleague’s heart attack. He describes Dr. Yumibe’s compassionate care for his mother and the community gathering at the memorial.
- Perspectives, by Bob Cullum, page 2. A reader praises the Pacific Citizen as a lively journal and comments on columns by Mike Masaoka and Pat Okura. The letter is brief and reflects on the paper’s ongoing relevance.
- Cincinnati Echoes: Maki-Sushi, by Joe Oyama, page 3. Joe Oyama recounts humorous encounters with customers in Cincinnati, including one who brought him fish and another who offered rabbit and carp. He reflects on the cultural significance of food and the experiences of Nisei in the Midwest.
- From the Frying Pan: Port on an Asian Journey, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on a Washington Post report by Don Oberdorfer on Japan’s failure to win friends in Southeast Asia during Prime Minister Tanaka’s trip. He argues the report’s observations about Japanese business insularity matter to Japanese Americans concerned about Japan’s image.
- Getting to Know You, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. Kunitsugu reflects on the cultural meaning of chopsticks, recounting a Reverend Norimoto essay about eating with chopsticks abroad. The piece explores the emotional and cultural significance of this everyday practice.
Incarceration & Redress
- Manzanar Site Proposed as Part of State Parks Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. State Landscape Architect Kenneth Collier is expected to recommend making Manzanar part of the State Park System, according to the Manzanar Committee. Suggestions include interpretive facilities, a rest stop, and reconstruction of barracks.
Military & Veterans
- Dr. Toru Ishiyama Back at the Helm After 10 Years, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Toru Ishiyama returns as Cleveland JACL chairman after a ten-year absence from local JACL activities. He reflects on his renewed engagement with JACL goals and programs.
Arts & Entertainment
- The Two Worlds of Jim Yoshida, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. A book review and promotion for The Two Worlds of Jim Yoshida, the story of a native-born Japanese American who served in the Imperial Japanese Army in China and fought for his U.S. citizenship. The book is co-written with Bill Hosokawa and has a foreword by Senator Inouye.
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