Vol. 78, No. 16, April 26, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue
Racism in public life ran through this six-page issue. A front-page editorial from the P.C. Staff took on Nobel laureate William Shockley and other academics who promote theories of genetic racial inferiority, arguing that such views should be rejected in favor of respect for individual dignity. The issue also followed the fight over the word ‘Jap’: the U.S. Air Force began dropping the acronym from its procurement systems at the urging of the Washington JACL office, and readers wrote in with their own views. Bill Hosokawa and Edison T. Uno each wrote columns.
Convention planning filled the JACL news. Helen Tamura profiled the Gresham-Troutdale chapter and the Portland area that will host the national convention, and Rowe Sumida described the convention hotel. Three banks gave $10,000 each to the building fund, and seven nominations came in for the Masaoka Trust award. Also inside: a Craig Shimabukuro report on job training funds, an Allan Beekman book review, and sports.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Academic Racism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial condemns Nobel laureate William Shockley and other academics for promoting theories of genetic racial inferiority. It argues that such views, sustained by publicity-seeking and white racism, should be rejected in favor of respect for individual dignity.
- Youth speaks: PCYA delegate hopes JACL will continue program, by Janice Yamamura, page 2. A young Idaho Falls JACL member describes her experience in a Presidential Classroom for Young Americans in Washington, D.C. She reflects on identity and whether Japanese Americans have developed a distinct culture.
- Chiaroscuro, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The column explores whether Japanese Americans have developed a distinct JA culture or merely imitate mainstream and Japanese traditions. It suggests the community’s relatively short history may explain the lack of a self-defined identity.
- Our Readers: Use of ‘Jap’ (letters), by Naomi Bow Abara; Taho Kawakami; Keizo Yoshida, page 2. Readers respond to the continued use of ‘Jap’ as an offensive term, with one writer advocating abbreviations such as Jpn. Another letter from Japan’s bowling proprietors thanks the JACL for hosting its national bowling tournament.
- Job Training for Asians, by Craig Shimabukuro, page 2. Asian American groups in Los Angeles were excluded from Department of Labor job training funds despite MAPC recommendations favoring Asian, Native American, and women programs. The author describes the community’s protests and negotiations with Mayor Bradley.
- On the Margin: Where did we go right?, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. The columnist reflects on his daughter’s acceptance to graduate architecture school at the University of Washington and her financial independence. He describes her path from philosophy studies to pursuing architecture.
- A Minority of One, by Edison T. Uno, page 6. Uno argues that community service programs have greater value than the proposed JACL National Headquarters building. He contrasts the dividends of scholarships with the cost of an attractive edifice.
- Book Shelf: Jan Ken Po, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The book Jan Ken Po, published by the Japanese American Research Center in Honolulu, documents the heritage and experiences of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans. It features a foreword by Senator Daniel Inouye.
Community
- About Gresham-Troutdale JACL, by By HELEN TAMURA, page 1. The article profiles the Gresham-Troutdale JACL chapter, its Issei farming roots, and the scenic Columbia River Gorge area surrounding Portland, where the national convention is being held. It also describes local attractions such as smelt runs, Bonneville Dam, and the chapter’s planned Japanese garden project.
- Suspect in S.F. murder surrenders to police, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tanechi Migita, 24, surrendered to San Francisco police on a charge of killing young Japanese woman Mariko Sato, 25. His attorney said he discovered the body in his apartment and fled in panic.
- U.S. granddaughter of Kanrin Maru skipper pays homage at Tokyo grave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hilda K. Watkins, granddaughter of Kaishu Katsu, visited his grandfather Umetaro Kaji’s grave in Tokyo for the first time in 74 years. Her visit was prompted by the popularity of the NHK drama about Katsu.
- Sanwa and Sumitomo banks donate $10,000 each to JACL building fund, by Steve Doi (photos), page 1. Bank of Tokyo, Sumitomo Bank of California, and Sanwa Bank of California each contributed $10,000 to the JACL National Building Fund. The donations will finance construction of the main lobby and foyer of the new JACL headquarters.
- 3 banks donate $10,000 each; scholarship founded in memory of N. Aibara, 103-year-old Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Turlock Nisei Social Club established a memorial graduate scholarship and pledged $1,000 to the JACL building fund in honor of Niisaburo Aibara, a longtime Issei community leader. Aibara had served as a liaison and Japanese language instructor in Turlock.
- From the Frying Pan: Meaning of Oppression, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reflects on a United Methodist youth conference emphasizing oppression and redress, alongside NAACP economic data on Black families. He argues that Japanese Americans should support the oppressed without necessarily claiming oppressed status themselves.
- United Methodist Third World youth and young adults hold first confab, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Some 60 young members of American Indian, Asian, Black, and Hispanic United Methodist groups met in Chicago to discuss oppression, redress, and third-world coalitions. Speakers included Jovelino Ramos and Cecil Williams, and Vi Masuda addressed the role of Asian American women.
- Ed Matsuda named to Founders Savings board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Downtown Los Angeles JACL member Ed Matsuda was appointed to the board of directors of Founders Savings & Loan. The item is brief and reports the appointment only.
- 2 Japanese women found strangled in hotel room, by N.Y. Nichibei, page 3. Two Japanese women, Kinoe Motosugi and Yoshiko Oshita, were found strangled in their New York hotel room after an anonymous tip. Police said they had been dead several days, and the community described them as respectable residents.
- Bilingual program launched in Evanston Public Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Evanston, Illinois launched the state’s first bilingual-bicultural Japanese program under director Noriko Takada, serving Japanese children and English-speaking students. The program combines language instruction with cultural activities.
- Nisei Relays meet scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 23rd annual PSWDC Nisei Relays will be held June 9 at Cal State Fullerton, co-hosted by Orange County and San Gabriel Valley JACL chapters. The article outlines event categories and entry requirements.
- Here & There: Hawaii and Japanese American news briefs, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brief items from Hawaii cover a memorial to Japanese and Micronesian war dead, a Hawaii land purchase by a Japanese firm, and state legislative actions. The report also notes population and business developments.
- News Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Brief news items cover community members honored in elections, awards, churches, agriculture, beauty pageants, business, courtroom appointments, and sister city programs. The roundup spans multiple states and organizations.
JACL
- 7 nominations in for Masaoka Trust award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seven nominations were received for the Masaoka Trust Award recognizing contributions to American quality of life or U.S.-Japan relations. Nominations came from several chapters including Chicago, Delano, and Washington, D.C.
- JACL Committee reports due at HQ by June 3, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National Headquarters asked JACL national committee chairmen to submit biennial reports by June 3 for distribution to convention delegates. The reports will cover activities from August 1972 through April 1974.
- Post-convention reunion for Salem Nisei planned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A reunion for former Salem, Oregon residents will be held after the JACL National Convention in Portland on July 28. Organizers Dr. and Mrs. Paul Ellis invite former Salem residents to register.
- U.S. Air Force to substitute for ‘JAP’ acronym, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the urging of the Washington JACL office, the U.S. Air Force began eliminating the use of the acronym JAP in its procurement systems. The JACL argued the term remains a recognized racial epithet.
- Convention Headquarters faces famed mall, by Rowe Sumida, page 3. The Portland Sheraton Motor Inn was chosen as convention headquarters for its proximity to Lloyd Center, a major shopping complex with ample parking. The article details nearby transit, dining, and lodging options for convention attendees.
Incarceration & Redress
- “Manson Family” attorney named to defend Mitose in L.A. murder, by Ellen Endo (Rafu Shimpo), page 1. James Mitose, a self-styled faith healer, appeared in court with his head shaven amid legal wrangling over his defense attorneys in a murder conspiracy case. Attorney Dave Shinn and Johnny Cochran clashed over representation as the case was dismissed and re-filed.
Obituaries
- Niisaburo Aibara, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Niisaburo Aibara, a veterinarian and longtime JACL member, died at age 103 after serving Japanese immigrants in Turlock as a community liaison. He was honored with the Order of the Sacred Treasure by Japan.
Military & Veterans
- Charles Kubokawa’s unique fastener developed from space research, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Charles Kubokawa received a seven-year patent for a toggle-bolt fastener originally designed for space applications that can be operated with gloved hands. The product has been licensed to a manufacturer for industrial and construction use.
Sports
- S.F. Saints win Pacific Asian cagefest, by Eira Nagaoka, page 4. The San Francisco Saints won the first Pacific Asian invitational basketball tournament held in Seattle, with Ray Hom named most outstanding player. Eight teams competed among high school players not in varsity competition.
- Konno Pioneers SJ and LA bowling, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Bowling and tennis participants at the national convention were recruited by chapters including San Jose and West Valley. The item also covers tournament logistics and a planned night train to Portland.
Arts & Entertainment
- Book review: The Buddha Tree by Fumio Niwa, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Reviewer Allan Beekman assesses Fumio Niwa’s novel The Buddha Tree, which follows a Buddhist priest’s troubled life and forbidden love in Japan. The review examines the novel’s themes of obligation, desire, and family conflict.
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.