1971: U.S.-Japan strains, youth outreach and a Seattle anniversary

Vol. 73, No. 20, November 12, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

Strained ties between the United States and Japan ran through this six-page issue. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta told Seattle JACL’s 50th anniversary banquet that relations were deteriorating, and Mike Masaoka wrote that anti-American feeling in Japan was higher than at any time since World War II. Henry More reported on a Keidanren call for better communication. On the front page, National JACL President Raymond Uno described meeting young people in Blaine, Washington, and urged JACL to recruit and support youth. Harry K. Honda covered Rep. Patsy Mink’s talk at the West Los Angeles JACL installation dinner.

Other pages cover the Senate committee’s approval of the Ryukyu pact, a Matsunaga bill on naturalization for older residents, and Governor Reagan’s veto of a bilingual education bill. Seattle JACL also viewed a film on the Korematsu case. Letters from Ko Ijichi and Elsue Renne appear on page 6.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• U-No Reflects on Youth, JACL Establishment, and Need for Outreach, by Raymond S. Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno recounts meeting youth in Blaine, Washington, and reflects on his own transformation from JACL critic to establishment figure. He urges JACL to recruit youth actively and offer them physical, financial, and moral support.

National

• Mayor Mineta Sees U.S.-Japan Ties Breaking Up, Challenges Seattle JACLers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta told Seattle JACL’s 50th anniversary banquet that U.S.-Japan relations are deteriorating and that Nisei should serve as go-betweens. He also described his election and the successful campaign to appoint a Chicano to the San Jose council.
• Ethnic Studies Weak in New York Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A New York University institute surveyed 278 primary and secondary schools and found two-thirds had weak ethnic studies programs. The study noted that schools with higher nonwhite enrollment were more likely to have strong programs.
• Bilingual Education Bill Vetoed by Reagan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Ronald Reagan vetoed legislation that would have required California school systems to establish bilingual education programs. He argued the mandate was premature before the scope of the problem and available resources were known.
• Economic Tensions: Better Communication Can Mend U.S.-Japan Rift, by Henry More, page 1. Toshiro Shimanouchi of Keidanren urged the United States and Japan to improve communication to ease economic tensions triggered by Nixon’s China announcement and import surcharge. He described Japan’s dependence on outside resources and the cultural gap in economic behavior.
• Senate Committee OKs Ryukyu Pact, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommended ratification of the U.S.-Japan treaty returning Okinawa to Japan. The resolution must still pass the full Senate before going to President Nixon.
• Asians Still Simple Target in U.S., Antidote Prescribed by Patsy Mink, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink told the West Los Angeles JACL installation dinner that Asians remain easy targets of prejudice in America. She urged a change in attitude toward individualism and diversity rather than forced conformity.
• Social Security Can’t Refuse Cards to Illegal Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Social Security Administration district manager Frank Mason said the agency lacks authority to refuse Social Security numbers to illegal aliens. He explained that citizenship information is not required for issuing a number.
• Matsunaga Bill Extends Expeditious Naturalization to Aged, Longtime Residents, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga introduced legislation waiving the English literacy test for aliens over 60 with 20 years of U.S. residence. It also allows those over 50 to take the test in other languages.

Community

• PSWDC Launches 1971 Christmas Cheer Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council opened its annual Christmas Cheer drive to help needy Japanese American adults and children. Contributions of money rather than groceries or toys are requested.
• Night and Weekend Use of Local School Sought by West L.A. Parents and Youth, by P.C. Staff, page 1. West Los Angeles JACLers proposed a $30,000 one-year lighted school project at Nora Sterry Elementary School for night and weekend community use. Plans include classes for adults and children, modeled on a Venice program.
• Japan A-Bomb Victims in U.S. Seek Treatment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb survivors living in Los Angeles and Orange counties met to seek periodic specialist examinations. They noted that Japanese doctors are willing to come but are barred from practicing in the U.S.

Commentary

• Anti-Americanism in Japan, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka argues that anti-American sentiment in Japan is higher than at any time since World War II, driven by Nixon’s China initiative and the 10 percent import surcharge. He contends Prime Minister Sato’s close alignment with Washington has left him politically vulnerable.
• Repeal Title II Credit Belongs to Local Activists, by Ko Ijichi, page 6. Ko Ijichi responds to Kaz Oshiki’s letter by arguing that Ray Okamura and Edison Uno deserve major credit for the Title II repeal campaign. He notes their grassroots work generated the testimony and support that made congressional action possible.
• Farm Labor Dispute Letter, by Elsue Renne, page 6. Elsue Renne replies to Patrick Chiamori’s letter on the farm labor dispute, defending Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. She argues that the union’s non-violent approach has wide support and that negotiated agreements are achievable.
• Japan and the U.N. Defeat, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reprinted Washington Post editorial argues that Japan paid a heavier price than the United States for the defeat of the Two Chinas resolution. It urges Senate ratification of the Okinawa treaty to reward Prime Minister Sato and support the friendship.

Military & Veterans

• Cocktail Party for Japan’s Former Diplomat, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A short notice in this issue covers the MISLS reunion banquet in San Francisco with Mike Masaoka as speaker. Masaoka was expected to address current US-Japan relations.

In-Depth

• Korematsu Case Film Shown to Seattle JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seattle JACL viewed a Columbia University film on the 1944 Korematsu decision upholding the wartime exclusion order. The chapter’s program also included Dr. Harry Kitano’s slides on the relocation centers.

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