Vol. 69, No. 3, July 18, 1969. 8 pages. View this issue
Two civil rights causes ran through this eight-page issue. A JUST Committee advertisement told of the suspension and discharge of Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner and posed questions it said the County had left unanswered. Rep. Spark Matsunaga asked the House Internal Security Committee to schedule hearings on repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. Rep. Patsy Mink urged Japanese Americans to press for repeal, and eleven more Northern California groups joined the campaign. Raymond S. Uno’s Civil Rights Scrapbook column laid out how a JACL chapter could start such a project.
Other pages cover Little Tokyo redevelopment studies, Bill Hosokawa’s trip to Matsue, and Dr. S.I. Hayakawa’s permanent appointment at San Francisco State College. Chris W. Kiefer and Fred Hirasuna wrote about Harry Kitano’s book Japanese Americans. Warren Furutani described the July 27 Cincip picnic at Griffith Park, and the Southern California JACL office sought an office manager.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Full-Page Advertisement Tells of Plight of Ex-Coroner Noguchi, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A JUST Committee advertisement recounts the suspension and discharge of Dr. Thomas Noguchi as Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner based on charges made by CAO Lindon Hollinger. It raises unanswered questions about the County’s conduct and the timing of its added charges.
- More Groups Support JACL’s Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eleven additional civic, labor, farm, religious and political organizations in Northern California joined the campaign to repeal Title II. Groups including the ILWU local and the Greater San Francisco Chamber of Commerce urged congressional support.
- Dillon Myer Book and WRA Final Report to Be Published, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The University of Arizona Press will publish Dillon Myer’s memoir on his leadership of the War Relocation Authority, along with a reprint of a WRA study of life in relocation centers. The volume includes an introduction and bibliographies.
JACL
- Stockton Awards Pair $100 Each in Chapter Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Stockton JACL presented two $100 chapter scholarships to Donna Sato and Caroline Tsunekawa at a joint meeting. The chapter also awarded a Kazue Masuda Memorial scholarship to Alan Isamu Nakamura.
National
- Nixon View on Title II Repeal Sought, Hearing Requested, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga asked the House Internal Security Committee to obtain agency reports and schedule hearings on bills to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. Additional congressmen and Sen. Mark Hatfield joined as co-sponsors.
- Alien Job Ban Lifted on Public Works Projects, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Supreme Court ruled that state code sections barring aliens from public works employment are void under the federal immigration scheme and the Fourteenth Amendment. The case was brought by contractors challenging the restriction.
- Rep. Patsy Mink Says Nisei Have Special Responsibility to Speak Out on Title II, by Ellen Nakamura, page 5. Rep. Patsy Mink spoke at the Seabrook anniversary celebration urging Japanese Americans to press for repeal of Title II. She paid tribute to Charles F. Seabrook and the Japanese American settlers who came to New Jersey.
Community
- Hayakawa Named Permanent President of S.F. State, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The state Board of Trustees voted 16-2 to name Dr. S.I. Hayakawa permanent president of San Francisco State College. Supporters praised his firm stance on campus unrest, while critics objected to the appointment.
- Little Tokyo as It Might Look in Future Is Shown, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Boston consultants Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates unveiled conceptual redevelopment studies for Little Tokyo, including options for a pedestrian mall and expanded civic center. The plans were preliminary and subject to community input.
- Original Folk Service Stimulating, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Youth of Sycamore Congregational Church in El Cerrito conducted an original folk service built around songs and brief talks on social awareness. The service was led by young people under June Morita’s chairmanship.
- San Francisco Sansei Organizations Join Council, by P.C. Staff, page 8. About 15 organizations attended the first meeting of a proposed community youth council in San Francisco. Participants accepted the idea at a July 1 meeting at the Bank of Tokyo Hospitality Room.
Military & Veterans
- MIS Reunion in Tokyo Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The third reunion of former Military Intelligence Service Language School students will be held in Tokyo on October 22, 1970. Earlier reunions were held in San Francisco in 1966 and Los Angeles in 1968.
- Seattle Honors Hosokawa Plans, Honors Sen. Henry Jackson, page 5. Sen. Henry Jackson congratulated Hiram Kubota, district director of U.S. Immigration service, at the Seattle JACL installation. Jackson was the guest speaker at the event honoring a 20-year career of meritorious service.
Commentary
- Matsue, Japan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa describes a trip to Matsue on Japan’s undeveloped Sea of Japan coast, including its castle and the Matsuzaki family inn. He contrasts the quiet region with the congested Tokyo-Osaka corridor.
- Our Halfway Point, page 4. The Pacific Citizen editorial page contains a column reflecting on JACL’s progress. Readers are referred to the masthead section for columnist listings.
- Don’t Think Cheap, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Jeffrey Matsui describes the move of the Southern California JACL regional office to larger quarters and the modest renovation budget. He also solicits donated furnishings and seeks an office manager.
- Omaha Explodes as Judge’s Bail on Policeman Too Low, by Lily Okura, page 4. Lily Okura reports on Omaha unrest after a police shooting of a teenage girl and the low bail set for the officer. She cites Urban League criticism calling for clear firearm rules and action on the officer’s known instability.
- Civil Rights Scrapbook: How To on Repeal of Title II, by Raymond S. Uno, page 4. JACL civil rights coordinator Raymond Uno outlines the steps for launching a JACL project such as the Title II repeal campaign. The process covers committee formation, coalition building and congressional outreach.
- Ichiban Chapter Rankings and Membership Performances, page 4. The Pacific Citizen lists chapters recognized for outstanding membership gains in the prior year. Categories and consecutive-year records are noted.
- Letter: Cincip, by Warren Furutani, page 5. Warren Furutani describes Cincip, a July 27 Asian American community picnic at Griffith Park intended to build communication among Asian American groups. He explains the event is organized by several campus and community organizations.
- Health Insurance, by Arthur H. Funamura, page 5. Arthur Funamura asks whether JACL can sponsor group supplemental health insurance for seniors to cover Medicare gaps. The Pacific Citizen replies that the JACL-CBS administrative committee plans to discuss the issue with Blue Shield.
- East Wind: Joy Ride, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Bill Marutani praises Japan’s public transportation system, citing clearly marked subway stations, announcements and efficient bus fare collection. He contrasts it favorably with systems in the United States.
- Editorial: Gnimoc Si Cincip, page 5. The Pacific Citizen editorial page carries a note on the Cincip Asian American community event. It is presented alongside reader letters and commentary.
- Book Shelf: Perry Journal, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews a compiled edition of the Perry Expedition journal covering the 1853-1854 voyage to Japan. The book draws on illustrations and firsthand accounts of the negotiations.
- Selected Quotes from Kitano Book, by Fred Hirasuna, page 6. Fresno JACL newsletter editor Fred Hirasuna excerpts passages from Harry Kitano’s Japanese Americans on Issei child-rearing and Japanese enryo behavior. He presents the book as a useful Nisei perspective.
- Sansei Slant, by Patti Dohzen, page 6. National Youth Council Chairman Patti Dohzen describes how Jr. JACL pushes the parent organization to serve youth. She argues JACL must not become apathetic toward young members.
In-Depth
- On Dr. Kitano’s Book: Japanese Americans, by Chris W. Kiefer, page 6. Anthropologist Chris Kiefer critiques Harry Kitano’s book for factual errors, inconsistencies and weak treatment of Issei adaptation. He asks what kind of healthy ethnic identity Kitano endorses.
Arts & Entertainment
- Japanese Films: Subtitles Much Improved, by Jo Hamanaka, page 7. Jo Hamanaka praises improved English subtitles on imported Japanese films and notes Seattle’s two theaters showing them. He reviews the popularity of samurai and swordsman films.
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.