Meiji Centennial honors for Kido and Yatabe, and the 1968 election

Vol. 67, No. 18, November 1, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue

Honors from Japan led the news. In marking the Meiji Restoration centennial, the Japanese government decorated 61 foreigners, including JACL co-founders Saburo Kido and Dr. Thomas Yatabe. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto urged California voters to back Proposition 3, a $250 million higher education bond, and an editorial pressed members to vote on November 5 rather than abstain. Mike Masaoka offered personal congressional endorsements, and Inouye and Matsunaga spoke on Vietnam and the Humphrey ticket.

Also inside: Bill Hosokawa’s profile of singer Pat Suzuki, David Weissman’s two-part history of Boyle Heights, and a report on the Nisei translator corps of World War II. Henry Kanegae set a 25 percent membership goal, Karen Hanamoto reflected on the San Jose convention, and Gary Yamauchi reported on the Long Beach Nisei bowling tournament.

What’s in this issue

National

• Japan Decorates Kido, Dr. Yatabe at Meiji Centennial, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan’s government announced decorations for 61 foreigners who promoted Japanese culture and understanding, including JACL co-founders Saburo Kido and Dr. Thomas Yatabe. Other Nisei and Americans, including George Yamaoka and John D. Rockefeller III, were also honored.
• LeMay’s Say on A-Bomb Dismays Hiroshima Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiroshima Mayor Setsuo Yamada expressed strong disagreement with Gen. Curtis LeMay’s statement that nuclear weapons are just another weapon. He noted the continuing suffering of the 93,000 registered atomic bomb survivors.

Commentary

• Vote Yes on Proposition 3, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto urges California voters to support Proposition 3, a $250 million higher education bond issue. He argues it is fiscally sound and vital to the future of the state.
• Choices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial urges JACL members to vote in the November 5 election rather than abstain in protest. It stresses that choices, though sometimes clouded, must be exercised.
• Congressional Endorsements, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka offers personal endorsements of members of Congress who have cooperated with JACL legislative objectives, noting this is not official JACL policy. He lists nonpartisan candidates from states with Japanese American populations.
• From the Frying Pan: Pat Suzuki, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa profiles singer Pat Suzuki, who performed in Denver after years of retirement. He describes her vitality, her Central Valley roots, and her unpretentious connection to her Nisei heritage.
• Boyle Heights: Continued Commentary on Jewish Community Life, by David Weissman, page 4. Weissman continues his portrait of Boyle Heights, describing its recent immigrant residents, Yiddish culture, and continuing attachment to older neighborhoods. He notes the area’s enduring role as a Jewish community.
• Cooking Husbands, by Jim Henry, page 5. Jim Henry reports on the growing number of Japanese husbands who are taking up cooking, aided by working wives and dining kitchens. He cites examples of men who shop, experiment, and attend cooking schools.
• Vietnam Formula, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sen. Daniel Inouye outlined a four-point plan to end the Vietnam war, including a ceasefire and reconvening the Geneva Conference. Rep. Matsunaga also appealed for release of Hawaii National Guard troops.
• Questions of Endorsements, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editorial considers whether JACL officials should be allowed to endorse nonpartisan ballot issues. It also urges a grassroots voter registration drive among Japanese Americans.
• Tell Yourself Only, by Kathleen Toda, page 6. A reader reflects that repeatedly declaring pride in one’s racial identity may indicate that pride is not fully felt. The letter urges sincerity over slogans.
• In Defense of Agnew, by Robert H. Takeuchi, page 6. Robert Takeuchi defends Gov. Spiro Agnew’s civil rights record in Maryland despite an offensive remark about a reporter. He lists Agnew’s achievements in fair housing, education, and law enforcement.

JACL

• Executive Committee Works Toward Improved JACL Organizational Effectiveness, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The National Board executive committee met in Los Angeles to set immediate goals and begin implementing the reorganization plan. The session established action plans and objectives for the biennium.
• Mike Masaoka En Route to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka briefly met JACL officials in San Francisco before traveling to Japan. Discussions focused on plans for a 1969 centennial celebration of Japanese immigration to the United States.
• Membership, by Henry Kanegae, page 3. National First Vice President Henry Kanegae reports that the executive committee set a goal of a 25 percent membership increase over the coming biennium. He explains how individual efforts can help JACL reach that goal.
• Guest Column: Karen Hanamoto, by Karen Hanamoto, page 6. A young JACL delegate reflects on the San Jose convention, describing long meeting schedules, procedural confusion over uniform dues, and the banquet. She concludes that the young adult perspective often feels overlooked.

Community

• NC-WNDC to Meet in Florin Nov. 3, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WNDC quarterly session in Florin will feature Dr. Edwin Klotz speaking on student subversion. Chapter membership awards and workshops on programs are also scheduled.
• San Jose JACL Supports Bay Conservation, by Phil Matsumura, page 1. San Jose JACL representative Ken Kitajima spoke at a Bay Conservation and Development Commission hearing in Palo Alto. He protested uncontrolled filling of the bay and urged protection of its natural state.
• Monterey Park Nisei to Cast Electoral Vote for Nixon, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshi Yamamoto, a Monterey Park community leader and barber, will cast a California electoral vote for Richard Nixon. She described her Republican convention experiences and her involvement in civic affairs.
• Blaisdell Undisturbed by Primaries in Bid to Unseat Matsunaga or Mink, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Republican Neal Blaisdell, running for US House in Hawaii, says he is unperturbed by primary results showing Democrats Matsunaga and Mink far ahead. The article questions his political machine and reputation.
• Dayton JACL Plants Cherry Trees in Operation Pink Petal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Dayton JACL planted 154 Japanese cherry trees at Eastwood Park as a gesture of gratitude to the community. Mayors and officials attended the ceremony.
• Judge Wayne Kanemoto Named to Judicial Advisory Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose-Milpitas municipal court presiding judge Wayne Kanemoto was appointed by Chief Justice Roger Traynor to the advisory committee for the Municipal and Justice Court Judges Institute. The article also describes his streamlining of court procedures.
• Angelenos Hear Sen. Inouye Predict Democratic Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye spoke at a Westside Volunteers for Humphrey reception in Los Angeles. He predicted growing public support for the Humphrey-Muskie ticket against Nixon’s stance.
• Boyle Heights: When It Was More ‘Kosher’, by David Weissman, page 4. David Weissman describes the history of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, from its Mexican origins to its development as a Jewish residential community. He covers its cultural life, merchants, and welfare institutions.
• Matsumoto-Salt Lake City Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Sister City Ties, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 5. Salt Lake City officials including Dr. Olpin visited Matsumoto, Japan, to mark ten years of sister city relations. Mayor Lee spoke of the people-to-people ideal promoting friendship.
• Hawaii Elections, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Hawaii political news includes Republican Neal Blaisdell’s campaign finances and the ILWU’s endorsements. Other items cover campaign contributions and local business and civic appointments.
• School Breakdown, by Edward Banks, page 6. Edward Banks criticizes the Seattle School Board for closing Washington Junior High rather than addressing warnings and involving parents. He argues the closure reflects a breakdown in the school system.
• Youth Councils Plan Fall Sessions, by Alan Kumamoto, page 8. Several district youth councils are scheduling meetings featuring topical discussion, including Sansei identity in the Pacific Northwest and the purpose of Jr. JACL in Central California. The column previews these sessions.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Translator Corps of WW2 Rated as Best Secret of the War, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Allied Translator and Interpreter Service employed thousands of Nisei linguists during WWII and the occupation of Japan. The article describes their combat record and the enormous volume of documents they processed.

Obituaries

• Buddy Uno: A Nisei Newsman Remembered, by Bob Collins, page 5. Bob Collins recalls his friendship with Karumaro ‘Buddy’ Uno, a Nisei war correspondent who secretly aided Allied prisoners. Collins defends Uno’s reputation and announces a forthcoming book on his life.

Sports

• H. Wong Jr. Rips 299 Game to Climax Men’s Singles in Long Beach Tourney, by Gary Yamauchi, page 7. Harry Wong Jr. won the men’s scratch singles at the 19th annual Long Beach Nisei Tournament with a 687 series. Lefty Watanabe finished second, and several other divisions were decided.

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