The 1972 JACL convention aftermath and the fight over a Kenzo label slur

Vol. 75, No. 4, July 28, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue

Mike Masaoka urged JACL to stay national and focused, and the paper turned to the fallout from the 1972 national convention in Washington. The choice of David Ushio as executive director and the resignation of the Southern California staff drew an editorial and columns from Kats Kunitsugu, Jerry Enomoto, Sachi Seko and Harry K. Honda. On the front page, Japanese American groups pressed designer Kenzo and Butterick over a ‘Jap’ label, and Kenzo agreed to stop using the term on ready-to-wear items.

Other stories covered a Three Stooges segment dropped after viewer protests, a federal ruling against a Medi-Cal residency rule, and California’s repeal of old anti-Oriental laws. Edison Uno described a return to Amache, the Colorado camp where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Joe Hamanaka asked whether Emperor Hirohito should accept an invitation to visit the U.S. Arts pages included a Los Angeles exhibit of Japanese prints.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Masaoka Urges JACL to Remain National and Relevant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka advises JACL to keep national programs focused and to rely on efficient regional offices rather than local public service projects. He also warns against the growth of yellow racism within the organization.
• Vandals Set Fire to Japanese Tea Garden Gift Shop, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A vandal set fire to the gift shop of the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages. Operator Jackson Hirose said repairs and restocking would be costly.
• Canada Ethnic Histories Outlined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eleven ethnic histories have been outlined by Ontario’s Cornetics State for its multicultural program. The project aims to document the heritage of the province’s diverse communities.
• Kenzo Label Controversy Background and JACL Actions, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article traces the history of the Kenzo ‘Jap’ label, from its Paris origins to its spread into American stores. It also describes JACL legal efforts, including an injunction request that was denied.
• S.F. Service Group Office Bombed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A bomb damaged the San Francisco office of the Japanese Community Youth Council, part of United Japanese Community Services. The office sustained fire and water damage.
• Chapter Roll Call Voting Corrected, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A correction to the July 21 issue restores the accurate chapter voting totals from the 1972 JACL Convention roll call. The overall count remains unchanged.
• Nisei Appointed to Settle L.A. City Hall Promotion Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Frank Soyejima was appointed to a supervisory engineering position after a promotion dispute at Los Angeles City Hall. Asian American employee groups hailed the outcome as a victory against bias.
• Engineer Extends Thanks to His Supporters, by Frank Soyejima, page 3. Soyejima thanks supporters after his promotion was resolved and calls for Asian American employees to take concerted action against bias in City government. He credits councilmen and colleagues for backing his appointment.
• Archaic Anti-Oriental Laws Finally Removed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Acting Governor Reinecke signed bills repealing obsolete California laws that excluded Orientals, including an 1872 entry restriction and an 1905 law on importing females. State Senator Alfred Song sponsored the repeal bills.
• Harbor Community Center Expansion Requested at $60,000, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A remodeling plan for the Harbor Community Center in Los Angeles requires $60,000, according to Eddy Hamada. The center board approved the plan and donations have reached $3,000 so far.
• Imperial Hotel Replica Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A local port authority is considering a $10 million replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel near a harbor berth. The project was discussed with American investors by the hotel’s director.

Commentary

• Kenzo Signs Agreement Not to Use Anti-Nisei Label, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese American groups pressed designer Kenzo and Butterick to drop the ‘Jap’ trademark after a Paris label sparked outrage. Kenzo agreed to stop using the term on ready-to-wear items, though the labels already manufactured remained in circulation.
• What Happened at Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reflects on the JACL national convention, including the selection of David Ushio as executive director and the resignation of the Southern California youth staff. It argues JACL must remain a sound, business-like organization while serving broader community interests.
• Mr. Kanno and the Ushio Decision, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 2. Kunitsugu criticizes the selection of David Ushio as national executive director and the resulting exodus of Southern California staff. He argues JACL has drifted toward inward-looking membership concerns at the expense of broader community issues.
• Fork in the Road, by Jerry Enomoto, page 2. Former national president Enomoto defends his recommendation of David Ushio and expresses regret over the departure of the Southern California staff. He calls for communication and integrity within JACL leadership.
• One Late Call for CIP, by Sachi Seko, page 2. Seko reflects on the sellout of future generations and calls for JACL to embrace community involvement programs and diverse leadership. She urges members to act before opportunities are lost.
• Harry K. Honda Letter on JACL Staff Resignations, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda defends the national council’s decision to restructure regional staffing and seek outside funding. He explains the reasoning behind the changes that led to the Southern California staff resignations.
• Reunion with the Past, by Edison Uno, page 3. Uno recounts a return trip to Amache, the former Colorado internment camp, finding only concrete foundations and a graveyard of memories. He reflects on the sacrifices of the Issei generation.
• Should Emperor Hirohito Accept Nixon’s Invitation?, by Joe Hamanaka, page 5. Hamanaka questions whether Emperor Hirohito should accept President Nixon’s invitation to visit the U.S. He raises concerns about possible protests, war memories, and the safety of such a visit.

National

• Three Stooges Comedy Segment Eliminated After Viewer Protests, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles TV station KBSC dropped a Three Stooges segment that mocked Japanese American internees after viewers complained. Station operations manager Bruce Johansen ordered the segment canceled.
• Alien Residency Rule for Medi-Cal Invalidated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A three-judge federal court struck down a California law requiring five years of U.S. residency before aliens could receive Medi-Cal benefits. The ruling applies retroactively where feasible.
• Israelis Convict Okamoto to Life Imprisonment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Israeli army court sentenced Japanese terrorist Kozo Okamoto to life imprisonment for his role in the Lod airport massacre. Okamoto had pleaded guilty and admitted the attack was carried out on behalf of a guerrilla organization.

JACL

• Disposition of PSWDC-Capitol Life Major Medical Retention Fund Surveyed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Capitol Life returned a $72,359 experience refund to the JACL Pacific Southwest District Council. Individual policyholders may contribute their shares to a PSWDC trust or file for refunds by Sept. 15.
• Masaoka: Remain National, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Masaoka urged JACL to rethink its priorities and emphasize constructive action over negativity. He defended the organization’s effectiveness as a public policy advocate.

Military & Veterans

• Sumo Champion Jesse Kuhaula, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaiian-Spanish Jesse Kuhaula became the first non-Japanese to win a sumo tournament, wearing an apron decorated with the 442nd Regiment’s Go For Broke patch. He had starred in football at Baldwin High in Maui.

Obituaries

• Ochikubo Monogatari Tale Called First Novel, by Allan Beekman, page 4. A review of The Tale of Lady Ochikubo, a Heian-period narrative similar to Cinderella that the translators consider the first Japanese novel. The story emphasizes characters overcoming adversity through their own efforts.

Arts & Entertainment

• Japanese Prints on Exhibit at LA Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is showing 19th-century Japanese landscape prints through Aug. 13. The exhibition is the second in a three-part series on Japanese printmaking history.

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