Proposition 14, the Vietnam War and a portrait of Japanese American success

Vol. 62, No. 5, February 4, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

Proposition 14 returned to the California Supreme Court, which ordered new arguments for March 21-23 in seven cases over a measure that let property owners refuse buyers or renters because of race. JACL National President Kumeo Yoshinari wrote about his visit to the Pacific Northwest District Council convention, and the endowment fund reached $437,675.43. Sociologist William Petersen’s two-part essay on Japanese American success began on page 1 and continued on page 5. Mike Masaoka wrote on the war in Vietnam and in memory of Henry Kasai.

Other pages carry Harry K. Honda’s review of Exile of a Race, Saburo Kido on JACL and politics, and Bill Hosokawa on a 1934 magazine article. A report on Specialist Fourth Class Albert H. Tatsuno, killed in Vietnam, is on page 1. Page 3 recalls the 442nd Infantry Combat Team and the 100th Battalion. Chapter installation dinners and youth columns fill pages 4 and 5.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• President’s Corner: Home in the Pacific Northwest, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 1. JACL National President Kumeo Yoshinari reflects on his recent visit to the Pacific Northwest District Council convention, reminiscing about returning to Hood River and meeting old friends. He also outlines the upcoming SJR 20 campaign in Washington state and the regional support needed for it.
• JACL Endowment Fund Hits New High, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL endowment fund reached a record net asset value of $437,675.43 as of December 31, according to national chairman Dr. George Miyake. The fund gained $21,209.09 over the previous quarter and about $59,700 over the past year.

National

• New Hearings on Legality of Prop. 14 Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Supreme Court ordered new arguments in seven cases challenging Proposition 14, which allowed property owners to refuse buyers or renters based on race. Arguments were rescheduled for March 21-23 in Sacramento following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Evans v. Newton.
• Fraternity Row Sparked by Anti-Oriental Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Lafayette College chapter of Sigma Chi threatened to withdraw from the national fraternity unless it could initiate Chris Choi, a Hawaiian student of Chinese ancestry. The college board of trustees also ordered withdrawal unless national approval was given by February 15.

Military & Veterans

• Sixth AJA Killed in Vietnam with Helicopter Team, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Specialist Fourth Class Albert H. Tatsuno, a 12-year Army veteran from Honolulu, was killed by Viet Cong fire during a helicopter assault mission in January. He is believed to be the sixth American of Japanese ancestry killed in Vietnam.
• Japanese American Citizens League in the Pacific Citizen Wartime Draft, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Historical discussion of how the JACL pushed for the right of Nisei citizens to volunteer, leading to the segregated 442nd Infantry Combat Team. The 100th Battalion and 442nd earned numerous decorations in Italy, and the Secretary of War later applied the draft to camp residents.

Obituaries

• Henry Kasai, 75, Dies of Natural Causes in Salt Lake Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Yoshihiko Kasai, a prominent Japanese American civic leader and insurance agent in Salt Lake City, died at age 75. He was honored as JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium in 1964 and received Japan’s Order of the Sacred Treasure.
• In Memoriam: Henry Y. Kasai, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka pays tribute to Henry Kasai, an Issei insurance agent and civic leader who helped establish JACL chapters in Utah and Idaho and promoted Americanism among the Nisei. Masaoka describes Kasai as an inspiration who rose above discrimination to make lasting contributions.
• Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The obituary listings report deaths of Japanese Americans in Los Angeles and other communities during late 1965 and January 1966. Names, ages, and surviving family members are listed.

In-Depth

• Success Story: Japanese American Style, by William Petersen, page 1. Sociologist William Petersen argues that Japanese Americans have overcome severe discrimination, including wartime incarceration, to outperform other groups in citizenship, education, and social indicators. He examines cultural factors such as family structure, religion, and achievement orientation that explain this unusual success.
• Success Story, J.A. (continued), by William Petersen, page 5. Petersen continues his analysis of Japanese American success, examining low crime rates, housing conditions, and longevity statistics. He also discusses juvenile delinquency trends and the cultural pressures facing the Sansei generation.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL Classroom Formally Presented to Moravian, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka presented the JACL Classroom in the Francis E. Walter Memorial Hall to Moravian Seminary for Girls in Pennsylvania, honoring Congressman Walter’s legislative work benefiting Japanese Americans. The $13,000 memorial fund was raised by Japanese American contributors nationwide.

Community

• NC-WNDC, DYC Agendas for Next Sessions Released, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The NC-WNDC and NC-WNDYC will hold a concurrent quarterly session at the Stockton Inn on February 13, with agendas covering health plans, Medicare, scholarship contests, and youth activities. Dr. Harold Jacoby of the University of the Pacific will speak at the banquet.
• Chinese American Named Postmaster, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lim P. Lee, a field representative for Rep. Philip Burton, became the first Chinese American postmaster of San Francisco. He is a former juvenile probation officer and veteran with extensive civic involvement.
• Sheriff’s Deputy Honored at Moravian Seminary Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A luncheon at Moravian Seminary for Girls honored the JACL classroom presentation, with speeches by Mike Masaoka and school officials. Congressman Walter’s legacy in securing rights for Japanese Americans was highlighted.
• Louis JACLer and Neighbor Save Family of 11 from Asphyxiation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A St. Louis JACL member, Dr. Jackson Eto, helped rescue a family of eleven from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a defective heater. He advised opening doors and windows and summoned the fire department.
• Chicago JACL Credit Union Dividend Set, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL Credit Union announced a 4 percent dividend for the last half of 1965, bringing the annual total above 4 percent. It also reported a successful annual dinner meeting in San Francisco attended by 125 members.
• Former CHP Employee Sentenced to 6 Months, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Frank Kawai, a former California Highway Patrol storekeeper, was sentenced to six months in jail after admitting he stole 224,000 rounds of ammunition. Former patrolman Wolfrum Joffee also received probation and was ordered to repay the state.
• Japan Names Yamanaka Ambassador to Arabia, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Toshio Yamanaka, a former Japanese consul general in San Francisco, was appointed Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He is the second San Francisco-born Japanese diplomat to reach ambassadorial rank.
• West L.A. JACLers Cavort in Desert in Search of Gems, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sixty members of the West Los Angeles JACL joined a rock-hunting field trip in the Green Ash Hills near Barstow. They collected agate, jasper, petrified wood, and opal under the guidance of section chairman Tak Suzuki.
• Snake River Valley JACL Installs Officers with Cultural Heritage Message, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Snake River Valley and Boise Valley JACL chapters held a combined installation ceremony for new officers and awarded past president pins. Speakers urged members to be proud of their cultural heritage and to take part in local government.
• Venice-Culver JACL Installs Dr. Saiki, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Venice-Culver JACL installed Dr. Richard R. Saiki as president at a ceremony in Hawthorne. The evening also honored H. Mike Shimizu with the JACL silver pin and community service award.
• Alameda JACL Installation Dinner Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Alameda JACL will install new officers at a dinner on February 12 with attorney Donald McCullum as principal speaker. The event will honor local officials and community leaders.
• Gardena Valley JACL Installs Fred Ogasawara, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Gardena Valley JACL plans to install Fred Ogasawara as its 1966 chapter president at a dinner on February 5. Justice Stephan Tamura will be the guest speaker.
• Appreciation Banquet for Three Elders of Seattle Community Draws 300 Issei, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. Three hundred Issei gathered in Seattle to honor three community elders at a Chamber of Commerce banquet for their long public service. Each had previously received Japan’s Order of the Sacred Treasure.
• Ex-Councilman Kageyama to Enter Plea on Income Tax Evasion Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former Honolulu City Councilman Richard M. Kageyama is set to enter pleas to two federal income tax charges for filing fraudulent returns in 1959 and 1960. He faces possible fines and prison time if convicted.
• Northern California Nisei Golf Tournament Dates Set, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sacramento Nisei and Kagero Clubs will co-host the annual Northern California Nisei golf tournament on April 23-24 at Pasatiempo Country Club. The NCNGA board will meet February 27 in Galt.

Commentary

• Editor’s Desk: Exile of a Race, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor reviews Anne Reeploeg Fisher’s book Exile of a Race, which argues that Japanese Americans were scapegoated to divert attention from Pearl Harbor failures and that no fifth column existed. The editorial calls for JACL to pursue a case challenging the constitutionality of the Evacuation orders.
• Politics: JACL in Politics, by Saburo Kido, page 2. Saburo Kido responds to a suggestion that JACL take a political stance, explaining why the organization’s tax-exempt status and unity depend on its ban on partisan politics. He argues that individual members should participate in politics while JACL remains an independent educational body.
• The War in Vietnam, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka supports the resumption of U.S. air strikes against North Vietnam after a 37-day pause failed to produce serious peace talks. He argues that Great Society programs should continue alongside the war effort, even if higher taxes are needed.
• Accent on Youth: Ho Hum, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Alan Kumamoto previews the Intermountain First Quarterly Meeting and comments on young Angelenos forming active groups and the Sing Out 66 event. He reflects on youth activities and the role of JACL in the community.
• Ole ’66: Smoking, Drinking and Sex, by Russell Obana, page 5. Russell Obana reports on the San Jose Jr. JACL district youth council meeting, covering elections, workshops, and a joint dinner and dance. He previews the upcoming Stockton session and youth nationalization goals.
• Frankly Speaking: What Is a Baby?, by Carol Hasegawa, page 5. Carol Hasegawa reflects on the personality and development of her nine-month-old daughter Ann. She describes how a baby learns and changes daily and how parents balance wanting independence and dependence.

Arts & Entertainment

• From the Frying Pan: Out of the Past, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa recalls a 1934 New Outlook article, The Rising Son of the Rising Sun, by Aiji Tashiro, and wonders about the author’s fate. He reflects on the Nisei aspirations and struggles of that era that the article captured.

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