The 1960 Census count of Japanese Americans and the Sansei survey

Vol. 52, No. 17, April 28, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue

The 1960 Census count of people of Japanese ancestry opened this four-page issue. Mike Masaoka reported at least 454,342 persons in the United States, an increase of 42.3 percent over 1950, with California showing the greatest gain and the Walter-McCarran Act of 1952 credited for much of the growth. A second front-page story, on a Chicago survey by David T. Suzuki of Canada, described third-generation Japanese Americans as high achievers with a wider social range than their parents.

Elsewhere, Fred Taomae wrote about James Michener and Hawaii, and Harry K. Honda wrote on fighting communism through justice at home. Saburo Kido’s “Living with JACL” series continued with the 1932 convention in Los Angeles, and a profile traced Mike Masaoka’s career. Chapter news came from Florin, Marysville, Berkeley, Detroit and Downtown L.A.

What’s in this issue

National

• 1960 Census Shows Japanese American Population Growth to 454,342, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. The 1960 Census recorded at least 454,342 persons of Japanese ancestry in the United States, an increase of 42.3 percent over 1950. California showed the greatest absolute increase, and the Walter-McCarran Act of 1952 was largely responsible for the growth.
• Hearing Set for Bill to Repeal Literacy Test in California, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A bill and constitutional amendment by State Sen. Alan Short to eliminate the literacy test for California voters has been scheduled for hearing on May 8. The legislature had already passed a bill signed by Governor Brown.

Community

• Public Relations Workshop Feature of NC-WNDC Quarterly Council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Council quarterly meeting in Alameda will feature a public relations workshop and banquet with speaker Stanley Jacobs. The event is hosted by the Alameda JACL on May 7.
• Union City Elects Nisei Vice-Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tom Kitoyama, Union City’s first mayor in 1950, was unanimously elected vice-mayor by fellow councilmen on April 18. The council selects its mayor and vice-mayor on a yearly rotation basis.
• Sansei Not as Parochial as Parents, New Survey Reveals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David T. Suzuki of Canada presented findings from his study of third-generation Japanese Americans in Chicago to the Chicago Jr. JACL. The survey found high scholastic ability, extensive extracurricular activity, and a broader social range than the Issei and Nisei.
• Florin JACL Starts Scholarship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Florin JACL invites high school seniors in the Elk Grove Unified School District to participate in its scholarship program. Applications are due by May 5 and the winner will be the chapter candidate for the National JACL scholarship awards.
• Marysville JACL Community Picnic at Sperbdeck Ranch, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Marysville JACL holds its annual community picnic on April 30 at the Sperbdeck Ranch, featuring a day of recreation and the Nisei Relays queen contest. Sandy Saito, 17, is the Hollywood JACL candidate for the queen contest.
• Japanese Hospital Reorganizing as Community-Owned Pioneer Memorial Hospital, by Henry Mori, page 2. The Japanese Hospital of Los Angeles is being reorganized as a community-owned institution to be known as the Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Edwin Hiroto, administrator, reported a $26,000 profit last year after recovering from a deficit.
• Chicago Young Dancers Aid Understanding Between East and West, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Children taught by Madame Kanna Ishii performed Japanese dances at Christmas programs and on television, and participated in JACL Brotherhood events. Their performances are contributing to understanding between East and West.
• Two Japanese Films Set for Berkeley JACL Movie Nights in May, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Berkeley JACL will hold two movie nights in May, including an Issei Appreciation Night on May 5 and a screening on May 20 of Japanese films. Proceeds support the chapter’s Jr. track and field meet.
• Sansei Swimmer Larry Yamahiro Ranked Among Top Five Nationally, by Vi Takahashi, page 4. Larry Yamahiro, 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. Satoru Yamahiro of Cleveland, is ranked among the top five nationally in the breaststroke for his age group. He has broken multiple city, district, state, and national records and hopes to compete in the Olympics.
• Downtown L.A. JACL Hears Talk on Japanese Stock ADR System, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A representative from Taiyo Tamazuka Securities explained the American Depository Receipt system for Japanese stocks at the Downtown L.A. JACL April meeting. Japanese government approval for such issuance was granted in January.
• Detroit JACL Plans Mother’s Day Dinner Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit JACL will hold a Mother’s Day dinner and entertainment program on May 6 honoring hardworking mothers. Dick Knodoshima is program chairman.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Sweeps School Elections in Santa Clara County, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four Nisei candidates won school trustee posts in the Santa Clara County school elections held April 18. Harry Migakusu, Nobuo Mizota, Robert Sakamoto, and Calvin Kawanami all emerged victorious.

Commentary

• Michener Should Stay in Hawaii, by Fred Taomae, page 2. The author argues that discrimination James Michener encountered in Hawaii came from the ultra-elite landed class rather than ordinary citizens. He also supports organizing a JACL chapter in Hawaii to combat discrimination and foster civic life.
• Fighting Communism, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editorial argues that effective anti-communism must combine opposing communism’s military and subversive threats with a commitment to equality and justice at home. It states that racial discrimination in America undermines the democratic case against Soviet totalitarianism.
• Civil Service Career in Washington Offers Wide Opportunities, by Hisako Sakai, page 4. A Nisei woman describes her career in the federal government in Washington, D.C., arguing that government work offers opportunities for advancement and continuing education. She encourages young women to consider federal employment.
• Mike Masaoka Profile: Washington’s Most Successful Lobbyist, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This profile traces Mike Masaoka’s career from his volunteer service with the 442nd through his decades of JACL legislative work in Washington. His achievements include the Asian provisions of the Walter-McCarran Act and the Evacuation Claims Act.

JACL

• Living with JACL: 1932 Los Angeles Convention, Part IV, by Saburo Kido, page 4. This installment recounts the second day of the 1932 National JACL Convention in Los Angeles, including chapter reports, committee appointments, and a banquet hosted by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Resolutions adopted included making the Pacific Citizen the national organ.

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.