Regionalization of JACL and a Chinese American mayoral bid in Seattle

Vol. 77, No. 13, September 28, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

Regionalization of JACL was the lead concern of this six-page issue. National JACL President Henry T. Tanaka wrote that a progress report from Regional Director Don Hayashi convinced him the change was necessary, and he listed the four functions of the regional offices. The front page also followed Seattle City Council President Liem Eng Tuai, who led the mayoral primary and faced a November runoff. Other front-page stories covered California’s recall of personalized license plates reading “JAP” and San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta’s challenge to the League of Women Voters’ male membership ban.

Elsewhere, Tets Iwasaki reported on a survey of JACL chapter scholarship programs, and Dr. Frank Sakamoto described a charter flight from Chicago to the 1974 National JACL Convention in Portland. Editorials looked at George Takei’s narrow loss in the Los Angeles City Council race and at the Marcos government’s lists of Filipino Americans. The arts pages reviewed a Kabuki production and a translation of The Confessions of Lady Nijo.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Regionalization of JACL Is a Must, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. National JACL President Henry Tanaka reports that Regional Director Don Hayashi’s progress report convinced him regionalization is necessary. He outlines the four major functions of regional offices: chapter assistance, advocacy, resource funding, and leadership training.
• JACL Scholarship Survey Reveals Chapter Programs, by Tets Iwasaki, page 2. A survey of JACL chapters conducted by the Philadelphia chapter found that 48 chapters responded about scholarship programs. The results show chapters award an estimated $25,000 annually in scholarships.
• Chicago JACL 1000 Club Plans Charter Flight to Portland Convention, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 4. The 1000 Club is organizing a special flight from Chicago to the 1974 National JACL Convention in Portland. The pre-convention and post-convention itinerary includes San Francisco, Seattle, and British Columbia.

Community

• Liem Eng Tuai Leads Seattle Mayoral Primary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle City Council President Liem Eng Tuai, who may become the first Chinese American mayor of a major metropolitan city, led incumbent Mayor Wes Uhlman in the primary. The two will face each other in the November general election.
• Tanzam Railroad Project Support Gains Ground, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Community members and JACL leaders discussed support for the Tanzam railroad project. The article reports on the progress of fundraising and advocacy efforts.
• Pineapple White Opens at East-West Players, by P.C. Staff, page 2. East-West Players in Los Angeles will debut Jon Shirota’s ‘Pineapple White,’ an examination of interracial marriage in postwar Los Angeles. The production runs in October with a cast including Yuki Shimoda and Clyde Kusatsu.
• Kono Street, Japanese-Named Streets Across the Country, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editors survey streets across the United States named for Japanese Americans and Japanese figures. The piece highlights the pioneer history behind several of these names.
• Calif. Students May File Now for State Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Assemblyman Paul Bannai announced that California State Scholarship applications are available for 1974-75. The state will provide 11,475 new scholarships for tuition and fees at accredited colleges.
• Groundbreaking for Confucius Plaza in Chinatown, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ground was broken in New York’s Chinatown for Confucius Plaza, a $45 million complex combining a school, housing, and community facilities. The project is scheduled for completion in three years.
• JWRO Fund Drive Nears 40% of Goal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL-JWRO fund drive in Los Angeles has raised over $5,400 toward its $15,000 goal in the first weeks of the campaign. Donor lists and fundraising committee members are named.
• Asian American Mental Health Research Project in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A research project in Chicago will study the mental health needs of Asian Americans using bilingual and bicultural interviewers. The project aims to inform policy and planning for Asian American communities.
• Japanese Garden Dedicated at Colma Cemetery, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new Japanese garden was dedicated in front of the columbarium at the Japanese cemetery in Colma, California. The garden was announced by the president of the Japanese Benevolent Society.
• Ethnic Renaissance and Jewish Cultural Identity, by Karl Raab, page 3. Karl Raab’s talk at the Kenko Youth People’s Federation Convention discussed how Jewish communities have maintained cultural and religious identity across centuries. He compared this with the challenges facing Japanese American youth.
• Haircuts Rise to $3.50 in Nihonmachi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nihonmachi barbers in San Francisco raised haircut prices to $3.50 from $3.00. The shave and shampoo price is now $3.
• New Yorkers Discuss Community Needs at Asian Center, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A series of community forums in New York explored the needs of the city’s Asian American population. Representatives from many community groups attended the Sept. 21 meeting.
• Hawaii Today: Drought, Political Scene, and Courtroom News, by P.C. Staff, page 5. News from Hawaii covers a federal restraining order against sand mining at Molokai, drought measures on Maui and the Big Island, and political developments including gubernatorial campaign alliances. Courtroom news includes a sentence for political activist James Albertini.
• Senate Passes Bill to Aid Japanese-Speaking Voters, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The U.S. Senate passed a bill authored by Senator Gale McGee that allows voters to register by postcard, with forms printed in Japanese and other languages. The bill was championed by Senator Alan Cranston and now goes before the House.
• Japanese Nationals Denied Foreign Labor Access in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japan has maintained a no foreign labor policy since 1965, leading to the exploitation of illegal workers and fake technical trainees. The article describes the plight of young women brought under false contracts.
• Los Angeles Community Health Fair Held, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Los Angeles Community Health Fair offered screenings and information on acupuncture, dental care, and Medicare services. Professional volunteers and local organizations participated.
• Sanno Hotel Case Decided in Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Tokyo District Court ordered the Sanno Hotel, used by US forces since 1946, returned to its owner Dai-Ichi Hotel. Dai-Ichi claimed a 20-year lease had expired in 1968.

National

• Custom ‘JAP’ Plates Being Recalled by California DMV, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s Department of Motor Vehicles is recalling personalized license plates deemed offensive, including several bearing ‘JAP’ combinations. Owners may appeal the recall.
• Nisei Challenges League of Women Voters’ Male Membership Ban, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta was denied full membership in the League of Women Voters because he is male, and he refused associate membership without voting rights. He and Councilman Joe Colla have asked to join the group.

Commentary

• Ross Harano and Community Leaders Discuss Priorities, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 2. JACL leaders discuss organizational priorities and the direction of the national organization. The column outlines goals for the coming year.
• A Lead That Diminished, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reflects on George Takei’s narrow loss in the Los Angeles City Council race to Dave Cunningham, despite an early lead. It expresses hope that Takei will run again.
• Modernizing Government, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Salt Lake City JACL member describes serving on the Salt Lake County Study Commission on modernizing local government. He reflects on the commission’s work and the importance of minority and citizen input.
• Action and Reaction, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The editorial reflects on the sustained attention the Pacific Citizen has given to the ‘Jap’ slur following John Wilson’s remarks about Senator Inouye. It debates whether this focus signals chill in the community or reflects more serious underlying issues.
• New Office, New Beginnings in Southern California, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The new Pacific Southwest District Council staff member describes her first months organizing the district office. She reflects on priorities and the transition after office secretary Angela Alcaraz retired.
• Marcos Regime Threatens Filipino Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial condemns the Marcos government for compiling lists of Filipino Americans opposed to its policies and seeking extradition. It calls on the community to oppose the proposed extradition treaty.

In-Depth

• A Prospectus on Hookers in Japan, by Sakura Seript, page 5. A columnist offers a critical commentary on foreigners’ treatment of Japanese women and the nature of the sex trade in Japan. The piece is presented as a memoir from a woman who has worked with foreign clients.

Arts & Entertainment

• Narukami Performance Reviewed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A television review praises the University of Hawaii production of the Kabuki play Narukami, noting the performance of David Furamoto in the title role. The review discusses the staging and the cultural exchange the production represents.
• The Confessions of Lady Nijo, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A book review of Karen Brazell’s English translation of Towazugatari, the autobiographical account of Lady Nijo’s life at the Kyoto court in the Kamakura period. The review describes her entry into court, relationships with emperors, and her later life as a Buddhist nun.

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