The San Diego convention wrapped up, and Nisei Week began

Vol. 63, No. 7, August 12, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

The 1966 JACL national convention in San Diego was still the main story, and this six-page issue carried its results. Mas Satow summarized the actions of the 19th Biennial National Convention, including dues rising to $5 and Pacific Citizen policy. Mike Masaoka reported on the close House votes over fair housing in the 1966 Civil Rights Act. Bill Matsumoto praised the convention and congratulated Jerry Enomoto on his election as National President. Diane Suda’s oratorical essay and Ernest T. Takeda’s essay were printed, along with honor scrolls for Rep. Patsy Mink and four others.

Elsewhere, Los Angeles prepared for Nisei Week in Li’l Tokio. Toshio G. Tsukahira became the U.S. consul in Fukuoka, and U. Alexis Johnson was named ambassador to Japan. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Chinese cooking, and Tamotsu Murayama wrote about restoring the Wakamatsu Colony. Japan Air Lines offered four study scholarships to JACL.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Li’l Tokio brightens up for Nisei Week, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles prepares for the 1966 Nisei Week festivities, with street decorations up in Li’l Tokio and the city declaring Aug. 12-21 as Nisei Week. The article outlines the parade, pioneer honorees, candidates for Miss Nisei Week, and the schedule of cultural events.
• Anti-riot mood compared with Evacuation era, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally criticized Governor Brown’s signing of an anti-riot bill sought by Los Angeles authorities, comparing the climate of hysteria to the Japanese evacuation. The bill makes inciting a riot a misdemeanor.
• PSWDC session at Santa Barbara Inn, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pacific Southwest District Council announces its third quarterly session at the Santa Barbara Inn with luncheon speaker Norman Fryer. The district also reports on civil rights activities and the new district governor’s chapter visits.

JACL

• Japan Air Lines offers 4 Japan scholarships to JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan Air Lines will provide four scholarships for summer study in Japan for 1967, announced by National Director Masao Satow. The six-week program includes study at Sophia University and a ten-day field trip.
• Nat’l JACL program attractive to 21-35 age group under study, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the San Diego convention, young people met with National Youth Director Alan Kumamoto to explore a young adult group for ages 21 to 35. Delegates recommended that chapters form young adult committees, with National JACL exploring programs for the age group.
• 20th Biennial convention slated Aug. 12-17, 1968, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose will host the 2nd biennial National Jr. JACL convention in August 1968. Shirley Matsumura, San Jose Jr. JACL president, previewed the plans and local attractions.
• Oratorical Contest: 1st Prize – Diane Suda, by Diane Suda, page 5. Diane Suda of Fresno’s winning oratorical essay questions what role the JACL can play for youth who no longer face the prejudice their parents fought. She argues the organization should teach heritage and provide a unified voice while guarding against narrow racial pride.
• Essay Contest: 1st Prize – His Identity, by Ernest T. Takeda, page 5. Ernest Takeda’s winning essay examines the identity struggles of Japanese American youth and how JACL programs can give them belonging and purpose. He argues that youth participation in JACL can strengthen character and relationships with family and community.

Military & Veterans

• Los Angeles Nisei GI killed in jeep mishap, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sp. 5C Akira Yamashita of Los Angeles was killed in a jeep accident in South Vietnam on July 29, the Defense Department announced. He had volunteered for service in Vietnam four weeks earlier.
• Deaths in Vietnam high for Hawaiian servicemen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Governor John A. Burns told President Johnson that Hawaii is losing a higher ratio of men in Vietnam than any other state. The governor also praised the President’s July 12 speech on Asian policy.
• Nisei of the Biennium and Distinguished Achievement honorees, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The complete texts of the honor scrolls are printed for Rep. Patsy Mink (Nisei of the Biennium), Kenji Fujii, Dr. Kazumi Kasuga, Yoshihiro Uchida, and Henry T. Ushijima. Each is recognized for distinguished achievement in their field.

National

• U. Alexis Johnson appointed new U.S. ambassador to Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Johnson named Deputy Undersecretary of State U. Alexis Johnson as ambassador to Japan, succeeding Dr. Edwin O. Reischauer. Johnson’s diplomatic career and Japan experience are outlined.
• U.S. names Nisei consul in Fukuoka, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshio G. Tsukahira of Los Angeles became the first U.S. Nisei to serve as American consul in Japan, taking over in Fukuoka on Aug. 1. He will represent the United States in Kyushu and Yamaguchi prefecture.
• War bride murdered, 16-year-old arrested, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Kimi Turner, a Naval Exchange waitress and former war bride, was found stabbed to death in her Alameda home on July 28. A 16-year-old suspect was arrested a week later and certified to juvenile court.
• Tokyo population passes 11 million, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tokyo became the world’s most populous urban community, passing 11 million residents as of June 1, according to the metropolitan government. Population growth has slowed since the early 1950s while peripheral areas grew denser.

Commentary

• Final Convention Item: Fiesta en San Diego, by Connie Yamaguchi, page 1. Connie Yamaguchi writes her final ‘Fiesta en San Diego’ column, reflecting on the success of the youth convention and the friendships made. She thanks readers and looks ahead to San Jose in 1968.
• Washington Newsletter: Civil Rights Bill, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on the House’s close votes on the fair housing provisions of the 1966 Civil Rights Act, including the Mathias amendment exempting homeowners. He notes that JACL telegrams sent during the convention likely helped the housing title survive.
• Voice of Northern Cal: Smooth as Glass—that Convention, by Bill Matsumoto, page 2. Bill Matsumoto praises the San Diego convention as one of the most fruitful and well-organized JACL conventions, crediting the San Diego chapter and co-chairmen Mas Hironaka and George Kodama. He also congratulates Jerry Enomoto on his election as National President.
• Aloha from Hawaii: Richard Gima, by Richard Gima, page 2. Gima’s Hawaii column covers the Cherry Blossom Queen’s trip to Nisei Week, Sansei achievements, sports news, and local business and political items. It also notes several Nisei law graduates taking the bar exam.
• From the Frying Pan: Chow Time, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa explores the origins and varieties of Chinese cooking, drawing on a Free China News Syndicate release and anecdotes about Larry Tajiri. He reflects that hunger and wealth drove the development of the cuisine.
• Director’s Report: San Diego Convention Minutes, by Mas Satow, page 4. Satow summarizes actions taken at the 19th Biennial National Convention, including constitutional changes, membership dues increasing to $5, Pacific Citizen policy, and legislative and civil rights recommendations. The report also covers budget, youth program, and recognitions decisions.
• Ye Editor’s Desk, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor explains the Suzuki Family analogy for funding JACL operations, the new committee-based convention process, and per capita membership figures by district. He also summarizes national committee appointments and promises weekly columns from National President Enomoto.
• A New Image, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A satirical column from Washington, D.C. proposes a public relations makeover for JACL, suggesting alternative names and a new song. The piece pokes fun at the organization’s image while praising its work.

In-Depth

• Tokyo Topics: Wakamatsu Colony Restoration, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama reports on a proposal to restore the Wakamatsu Colony founded by Schnell in El Dorado County in 1869, backed by Dr. Leland Case and Japanese writer Kimura. The article also recounts the history of the colony and of Okei’s tomb.
• Japanese American Research Project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The article presents the JACL-UCLA Japanese American Research Project, describing its goals, funding, the Issei and Nisei survey methodology, and its timetable through 1970. It also outlines the expected publications and the benefits of the research.

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.