Voting, Issei recognition and the ‘Issei Story’ project

Vol. 51, No. 18, October 28, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue

The November 1960 election ran through this eight-page issue. On the front page, President Eisenhower urged a record turnout on Nov. 8, and Harry K. Honda’s columns took up the vote, from a guide for election day to a question about Japanese Americans voting as a bloc for one candidate. Mike Masaoka was in Seattle helping the repeal campaign against Washington’s Anti-Alien Land Law, and Elmer Ogawa reported on it.

JACL’s own work filled much of the rest. The National JACL History Project began its ‘Issei Story’ research, with six assignments for chapters, and chapters in San Francisco, East Los Angeles and Contra Costa planned recognition events for the Issei. Also inside: the 1961 membership campaign, Larry S. Tajiri on Hollywood’s new Oriental cycle, and Tamotsu Murayama on Tokyo’s Olympic headaches.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Record turnout of voters urged Nov. 8, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. President Eisenhower urged record voter turnout in the Nov. 8 election as a demonstration of democracy. The JACL has long encouraged citizens, especially Japanese Americans, to vote as a civic duty.
• U.S. and Cuba, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda traces U.S. policy toward Cuba from the 19th century filibusters and annexation schemes through the Spanish-American War, the Platt Amendment, and the Good Neighbor era. He concludes that the future of Cuban-American relations remains uncertain.
• Go out to vote on Nov. 8, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda questions the wisdom of Japanese Americans for Nixon as a distinct voting bloc. He argues that ethnic voting blocs work against integration and that voters should judge candidates on broader issues.
• A guide for election day, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Drawing on Eric Sevareid’s book Candidates 1960, the column suggests voters choose the candidate who wants to do something and shows the most selfless motivation. It urges careful judgment in a difficult choice.
• Very truly yours: U.S. and Cuba (continued), by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Honda continues his history of U.S.-Cuban relations, covering the 1906 intervention, the 1934 Platt Amendment repeal, and the Good Neighbor policy. He notes the Monroe Doctrine extended into Pan-Americanism.
• Ways and means of fund-raising, by Akira A. Yoshinari, page 4. National Treasurer Yoshinari argues that JACL must secure adequate funds to pursue the 1960-70 Planning Commission goals, including the Issei Story project. He stresses the importance of the 1000 Club and urges chapters to complete membership solicitation.
• Tokyo topics: Headaches due Olympic Games, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Murayama discusses problems facing Tokyo as host of the 1964 Olympics, including funding, housing shortages, traffic congestion, and urban cleanliness. He suggests the Games could restore national pride.
• Letterbox: Japanese American Nixon Committee, by A.W. Tashima, page 7. A.W. Tashima of Cambridge, Massachusetts writes to question the formation of a Japanese American Nixon committee. He argues Nisei should work on broader issues rather than as a distinct voting bloc.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka analyzes the outlook for Congressional races in the 1960 election, noting Democrats are likely to retain the Senate and are favored in the House. He identifies marginal districts that could shift party control.

JACL

• ‘Issei Story’ research begins, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL History Project, chaired by Shigeo Wakamatsu, announced its theme of the Japanese immigrant contribution to America. Six assignments were issued to chapters to be completed by year’s end.
• Six assignments of the National JACL History Project Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The National JACL History Project Committee issued six assignments to be completed by the end of the year, including identifying Issei and Nisei to serve on the committee and documenting early Japanese settlement. Reports are due to the Midwest regional office by Dec. 31.
• Membership 1961 national dues campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 1961 JACL membership campaign opens November 1 with Pacific Citizen subscriptions included in dues for the first time. Headquarters outlined the procedures for processing memberships and PC subscription start dates.
• Pacific Southwest District Council to meet Nov. 13, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The PSWDC will meet with delegates from 19 chapters to discuss mutual problems and national programs. Registration and lunch are scheduled, with reservations through the regional JACL office.

Community

• Salt Lake JACL to celebrate 25th anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL chapter planned a 25th anniversary dinner-dance with National President Frank Chuman as speaker. The chapter, organized in 1935, ranks among the top ten chapters.
• ‘Biennium’ honoree Dave Tatsuno surprised at Watsonville party, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dave Tatsuno, a JACL award recipient for YMCA leadership, was honored at a surprise party in Watsonville attended by nearly 40 friends. Former YPCC associates presented him with tributes.
• Nisei chief chemist at $75-million city plant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joe Nagano, Nisei chief chemist at the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant in Los Angeles, assisted visiting Japanese government officials in describing plant operations. His fluency in Japanese helped the tour.
• Delano Sansei in historic scout fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ronald Azuma and Kenneth Kubota were among five Eagle Scouts of Troop 933 honored in Delano. It was the first time five members of one Kern County troop received the Eagle award simultaneously.
• Capacity crowd of 400 listen to Kido’s tribute to Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Saburo Kido paid tribute to the Issei at the San Francisco JACL banquet attended by over 400 people. He urged Issei who had not done so to naturalize and praised their support of community institutions.
• Nisei Americanization teacher spotlighted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ellen Kishiyama of Baywood Park was featured for teaching an Americanization class of 16 foreign-born students in Morro Bay. She is also an active San Luis Obispo JACL member and local news editor.
• Architecture student and Community Chest award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Riyoko Ishii was named to the dean’s list at the Rhode Island School of Design. George Uriyu received a Community Chest bronze plaque for his company’s contributions.
• Venice-Culver ready for campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Venice-Culver JACL board prepared to launch its 1961 membership drive and voted to contribute to a youth touch football league. The chapter also planned a Halloween party.
• Cleveland JACLers host visiting Japan tourists, by P.C. Staff, page 4. At the request of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese community hosted a visiting team of Japanese public officials and housing administrators. The dinner was coordinated by the Cleveland JACL.
• San Luis Obispo JACL harvest social draws 75 members and friends, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Luis Obispo County JACL held a harvest social at Pismo Beach attended by 75 people, with games, square dancing, and decorations. Ken Kitasako is the chapter president.
• Placer County JACL slates 20th annual goodwill dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Placer County JACL will hold its 20th annual goodwill dinner with former national first vice-president Akiji Yoshimura as speaker. The event typically draws 300 to 400 attendees.
• Chapter news roundup: Southwest-ward, by Fred Takata, page 5. Holiday Issue advertising is underway with chapters submitting ads, and the PSWDC reports the death of longtime Long Beach JACL leader Frank T. Ishii. Other chapter events include a Nisei talent show, a Christmas Cheer drive, and Kennedy rallies.
• East L.A. JACL to feature all-live talent at Issei recognition program Nov. 5, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The East Los Angeles JACL will honor Issei residents at a program with live entertainment including music, dance, and a comedy skit. Shinsuke Wakabayashi will give the Issei response.
• Contra Costa chapter sets ’61 membership dues: $4.50 and $8, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Contra Costa JACL board set 1961 dues at $4.50 for single members and $8 for couples. The membership drive will be managed by Dr. Y. Togasaki, Joe Oishi and Sumio Yoshii.
• Contra Costa JACL to honor Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Contra Costa JACL will hold an Issei Night potluck dinner at Stege School followed by a Japanese feature film. George Sugihara chairs the event.
• San Fernando Valley JACL to hear National President, by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL President Frank F. Chuman will speak at the San Fernando Valley chapter dinner meeting in Encino. Dancing will follow the dinner.
• San Francisco Youth-JACL participates in UN program, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco Youth JACL members took part in a United Nations Week program at Golden Gate Park, where a Japanese folk dance was performed. The event observed UN Week.
• Mile-Hi JACL eyes 15-man board in place of cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Mile-Hi JACL announced a potluck supper and general meeting featuring a political discussion and a proposal to convert the cabinet to a 15-man board. An Issei appreciation dinner is also planned for December.
• Gardena Valley JACL holds benefit movie, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Gardena Valley JACL held its annual benefit showing of two color samurai films to raise funds for local programs and its National quota.
• Fowler JACL fall festival parade, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fowler JACL planned a decorated automobile entry in the Fowler Fall Festival parade and nominated officers for the coming year.
• Chapter offers prize for longest whisker, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fresno American Loyalty League planned a masquerade party with prizes for costumes, dancing, and the longest whisker. A steak dinner was also served.
• International menu set for San Jose Issei fete, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Jose JACL annual potluck social was set to offer an international menu and movies of Alaska. The chapter also participated in the city’s United Nations celebration.
• Social Security topic for Cleveland JACL, Shinwakai, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Cleveland Shinwakai and JACL co-sponsored a session explaining Social Security to Issei. A speaker from the local SSA office and an interpreter were arranged.
• Nixon classmate meets Nisei GOP, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Stanley McCaffrey, executive assistant to Vice President Nixon and his elementary and high school classmate, met with Japanese American Nixon supporters including Frank Hirohata and Ken Fukui. The meeting was part of the Nixon campaign outreach.
• Shimada shoots 76 to win low gross at Ginza tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Frank Shimada of San Jose won low gross honors in the fifth annual Ginza Invitational golf tournament in Monterey. The Garden City team of San Jose took the team championship.
• Issei-Nisei rally tonight for Nixon, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japanese Americans for Nixon planned an Issei-Nisei dinner rally at the Clark International Hotel featuring Whittier College president Dr. Paul Smith. The committee also pushed a get-out-the-vote campaign in Little Tokyo.
• Nationalities group appoints 3 Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Three Nisei were appointed vice-chairmen in the Nationalities Division for Kennedy, which works on civil rights and discrimination issues. The committee is part of a nationwide effort headed by Governor G. Mennen Williams.
• Gilroy youth accepted as air academy cadet, by P.C. Staff, page 7. William Sakahara of Gilroy was accepted into a cadet wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy after completing basic training. He had passed competitive exams while an exchange student in Amsterdam.
• Yonemura admitted to U.S. Supreme Court bar, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Yonemura, a native Californian and former county attorney, was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also serves as an area chairman for the Bipartisan Volunteers for Congressman Dan Inouye.
• Returns to Contra Costa, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. George Fujioka returned to Walnut Creek after a year and a half research program for Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan. He had previously been active in local JACL circles.
• School desegregation helps both Negro and white students, educators say, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Educators Dr. Kenneth Clark and Dr. Carl Hansen argued in Teachers College Record that desegregated schools benefit white students as well as Negro students. They contended segregated education fails to prepare students for a democratic society.

Military & Veterans

• Legion convention sustains action against 40 et 8, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Legion convention voted to sustain the denial of its name and emblem to the 40 et 8 Society over its whites-only membership policy. The door was left open for the society to return if it dropped its restrictions.
• George Shibata, West Point’s first Nisei graduate, now deputy district attorney, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Shibata, the first Japanese American graduate of West Point in 1951, joined the Orange County District Attorney’s office. He had earlier served as a jet pilot in Korea and appeared in several films.
• Northwest Picture, by Elmer Ogawa, page 7. Ogawa reviews the Washington State voters pamphlet and the pro and con arguments for the alien land law repeal measure SJR 4. He also reports on the repeal campaign’s progress, including mailings and media outreach.

National

• Masaoka in Seattle aiding repeal campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka spent two weeks in Seattle assisting the Washington State Committee for Repeal of the Anti-Alien Land Law before the Nov. 8 election. He had also planned to attend a San Francisco JACL Issei recognition dinner.

Arts & Entertainment

• New Oriental cycle, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Hollywood is launching a new cycle of Oriental-themed productions, including The Big Wave, Cry for Happy, A Majority of One, and Bridge to the Sun. Several Nisei and Japanese actors are finding work in these films and television.
• Paintings of Hayward artist being exhibited, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Aileen Shibata’s paintings are on exhibit at Alameda State College and at galleries in Los Angeles and San Francisco. She formerly taught art at UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles.

Obituaries

• Frank Ishii, JACL leader, dies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Frank T. Ishii, 58, founder and first president of the Long Beach JACL, died after a heart attack at a banquet in La Habra. He was honored for his community service and long support of JACL.

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