Changing perspectives: the JACL after its national convention

Vol. 44, No. 12, March 22, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

A conversation among friends set the tone for this 8-page issue. David Yokozeki’s front-page piece, “Conversation on Changing Perspectives,” asked what the JACL’s national program should be now that naturalization for Issei parents had been achieved and the recovery program for evacuation losses was nearing its end. The Justice Department also announced a simplified procedure for Nisei renunciants seeking restoration of citizenship, and Colorado’s governor signed an anti-discrimination bill and repealed the state’s anti-miscegenation law.

Columns fill the inside pages. Bill Hosokawa profiled the three Nakashima brothers, Larry S. Tajiri wrote on Dave Beck’s Teamsters, and Mike Masaoka profiled Hawaii’s Delegate John A. Burns. Masao Satow reported that Salt Lake City would host the 1958 JACL National Biennial. Chapter news runs through pages 4 and 5, and the sports page covers the state Nisei basketball title.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Conversation on Changing Perspectives, by David Yokozeki, page 1. A group of friends discusses the JACL’s changing national program and objectives following its recent national convention. The conversation touches on the Washington office’s watchdog role, decentralization, and the organization’s unclear direction in international affairs.
• Sendai Affiliated with Riverside as Sister City, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Riverside, California, has invited Sendai, Japan, to become its sister city following years of cultural and educational exchanges. Riverside would be the third American city to affiliate with a Japanese city.
• Ki Tanamachi Victim of Hepatitis After Heroic Rescue Attempt, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco JACL member Ki Tanamachi, a soil expert, attempted to rescue a teenager at sea but has been sidelined by hepatitis. He remains at home on his doctor’s orders.
• Over 800 Members Signed by San Francisco Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL membership drive has reached about 850 members toward a goal of 1,300. The campaign deadline has been extended.
• Fred Hoshiyama Set for New YMCA Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Hoshiyama will become executive secretary of the Park-Presidio YMCA branch in San Francisco, the first Nisei to lead a YMCA branch not engaged in an Issei-Nisei program. Yori Wada will succeed him at Buchanan Street.
• Naturalized Issei Gives Cherry Tree to School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ben Nagai of Atwater, the first Issei naturalized in Merced County, donated a flowering Japanese cherry tree to the Mitchell school his children attended. It was the first individual tree gift to the school.
• Pan-American Adds Nisei to New York Sales Staff, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Gordon Togasaki, son of JACL co-founder George Togasaki, joined Pan American World Airways’ New York sales staff. He is touring company offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and San Francisco for training before a Pacific and Far East assignment.
• 1,200 Delegates Attend WYBL Meet in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 1,200 Western Young Buddhist League delegates from California, Hawaii, and Utah gathered in San Jose for the 15th annual convention. Tsukasa Saneto was named national YBA president, and George Abey was elected WYBL president.
• New Sukiyaki House Ready for April 11 Opening, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sakura Gardens, a $300,000 restaurant with authentic Japanese interiors and gardens, will open in Mountain View on April 11. The landscape architect previously worked on Japanese Imperial Palace gardens at world fairs in New York and San Francisco.
• Colorado Governor Signs Two Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two Nisei men in Seattle and nearby communities were involved in a case where a man received a long sentence for a minor theft. The article uses the case to discuss the importance of lawful conduct among Nisei.
• Southland Nisei Win Top Flower Show Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei growers from Southern California won most cut flower awards at the eighth annual California International Flower Show. Sam Endow of Encinitas took the Eugene Gere-maine Memorial Award for his carnation display.
• Drop Queen Contest for Placer County Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Placer JACL’s ninth annual community picnic on April 14 will replace its queen contest with a costume parade. Committee chairmen have been named for the major event functions.
• Doub Extends Thanks in Letter to JACL President, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Assistant Attorney General George C. Doub wrote to JACL President Dr. Roy Nishikawa thanking the organization for its hospitality during his visit to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Doub heads the Justice Department civil division that handles evacuation claims and renunciant problems.
• 100 Attend Dance Class Sponsored by Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL dance class series drew 100 people to its first session, which taught the cha-cha, waltz, fox trot, and Latin steps. Future classes will cover rhumba, samba, and swing.
• Florin Jr. JACL Set for 100 Teenagers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. About 100 prospective teenage members attended a Fun Night meeting to plan a Florin Junior JACL group. Members of the Sacramento Junior JACL attended to help conduct the meeting.
• Dance Hula-Hula Via Do It Yourself, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Southwest Los Angeles JACL is hosting a Polynesian-style social with Hawaiian entertainment, ice-breakers, and hula dancing on March 31 at the USC YWCA. Attendees will receive leis and refreshments.
• San Fernando Valley CL Elects Nakagiri, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Fernando Valley JACL chapter will install its 1957 officers, led by president Kay Nakagiri, at a April 12 ceremony with JACL president Dr. Roy Nishikawa. Other officers and committee members were also named.
• French Camp Community Picnic Set April 28, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The French Camp JACL chapter will hold its community picnic on April 28 at Micke Grove near Lodi and Stockton. George Komure and Tom Natsuhara were named co-chairmen.
• Toastmaster Club, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An organizational meeting for a JACL-sponsored Toastmaster Club was called at the San Francisco JACL office. The club is open to both men and women.
• Japanese Menu Demonstration Set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco JACL Auxiliary will hold a cooking demonstration of Japanese menus by Mrs. Kikuye Yamate at the Buddhist Church on March 26. Sumi Utsumi is the chairman.
• Monterey Peninsula CL Busy Start, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Monterey Peninsula JACL installed its new chapter officers and Auxiliary leaders at a dinner attended by nearly 100 people. The chapter also supports Red Cross efforts and Boy Scout Troop 47.
• Tomizo Joe Named Long Beach CL Head, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Tomizo Joe was named 1957 president of the Long Beach-Harbor District JACL at a special meeting. He succeeds Easy Fujimoto, who served as president for 1955 and 1956.
• So. Alameda County CL Hears San Jose Attorney, by P.C. Staff, page 5. S. Stephen Nakashima, a San Jose attorney, spoke to the Southern Alameda County JACL about taxes, wills, and social security. The meeting was held at the Warm Springs Grammar School.
• Gardena Valley CL Installation Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Gardena Valley JACL will install its officers at a dance on March 30 at the Japanese Community Center. Frank Kuida will serve as president.
• JACL Nisei Olympics Place Undecided, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Francisco JACL is planning its fifth annual Nisei Olympics but has not yet settled on a site. Kezar Stadium renovations may affect whether the event is held there.
• Overtime Thriller Won by Lucky Doks for State Cage Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Lucky Doks of Southern California won the state Nisei basketball title with an overtime 66-64 victory over the San Francisco Protos. Dick Nagai scored 27 points and helped secure the win.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: 1957 Nisei Week, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori previews the 1957 Nisei Week Festival scheduled for August 17 to 25 in Little Tokyo. He suggests adding new public participation events to make the festival more engaging.
• Del. Burns of Hawaii, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka profiles John A. Burns, the first Democrat in some 20 years to serve as Hawaii’s non-voting Delegate to Congress. Burns is focused on securing statehood for Hawaii and has a long record of friendship with Americans of Japanese ancestry.

Obituaries

• Harry Miyake, 56, Santa Maria Leader Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Miyake, a prominent community leader and president of the Santa Maria Valley JACL, died suddenly of a heart attack. He was active in the Buddhist church, served as a city councilman, and organized an Issei naturalization class.

Incarceration & Redress

• Japan Actor to Visit Hollywood, Aided Stranded Nisei During War, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Japanese stage and screen star Kazuo Hasegawa will visit America to study Hollywood filmmaking. During the war he secretly helped stranded Nisei by appearing in a benefit play, for which he was investigated by the Kempeitai.

National

• Simplified Form for Renunciant Nisei Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department has outlined a simplified administrative procedure allowing Nisei renunciants to seek restoration of citizenship by filing affidavits with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The process requires no attorney and is described as the least expensive method.
• Colorado Governor Signs Two Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Colorado Governor Stephan McNichols signed a bill extending anti-discrimination protections to private employers of more than five persons. He also signed a bill repealing the state’s anti-miscegenation statute.
• Nat’l Director’s Report: Prominent JACL Town, by Masao Satow, page 4. National Director Masao Satow reports that Salt Lake City will host the 1958 JACL National Biennial, recalling the city’s role as JACL headquarters during the wartime years. He also previews district council conventions and membership and publication developments.
• Immigration Changes Sought by U.S. Chinese as Nat’l Organization Lauded, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Oakland Tribune editorially supported the formation of a national Chinese American citizens group seeking immigration law changes. The editorial argues that the restrictive quotas for Chinese immigrants are outmoded.
• Office of Alien Property Disputes Yen Debt Claims Recommendation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Office of Alien Property filed exceptions to a hearing examiner’s recommendation that pre-war yen deposit claims be repaid at the 1941 exchange rate. The government argues the current rate should apply, and the dispute will likely be appealed.

Arts & Entertainment

• Paper Sculpture Technique Demonstrated by Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. George M. Suzuki demonstrated the fading art of Japanese paper sculpture to her daughter and at the St. Paul Gallery and School of Art. The craft was featured in a color front-page photo in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Wedding in Japan Dramatizes Bigotry in Occupied Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ted Pollack’s play Wedding in Japan, revived off-Broadway, depicts a romance between a Japanese woman and an American Black sergeant threatened by racist opposition. The reviewer found the production earnest and relevant to contemporary segregation issues.

Commentary

• Whither Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Former Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura expressed fear that the Socialist-Communist camp in Japan could be aided by Soviet Russia and Red China to establish a puppet government. The column argues that Japan must rearm and align with the free world to avoid economic and political dangers.
• From the Frying Pan: Bouncing Nisei, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa profiles three Nakashima brothers whose wartime setbacks were followed by success: George as a furniture designer, Victor as a physician in Dubuque, and Ted as a chicken rancher. Their stories illustrate the resilience of the Nisei after evacuation.
• Vagaries: Dave Beck’s Union, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri recounts Teamsters chief Dave Beck’s segregated Japanese-only union and the anti-Nisei activities of the Teamsters during and after World War II. He notes that many other unions, particularly in the CIO, worked to find jobs for returning evacuees.
• The Northwest Picture: Memories Mixed Up, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa corrects his memory of Admiral Togo’s visits, distinguishing the 1911 Seattle stop from the Japanese fleet visit. He recounts the admiral’s reception in Seattle and his gift of a Percheron horse.
• This Is Your Life Tales, by Sherwood Dixon, page 8. Sherwood Dixon recounts a humorous anecdote about Mike Masaoka’s This Is Your Life episode and mentions former 442nd officers. The piece draws on the 442nd Veterans Club of Hawaii bulletin.

Military & Veterans

• Co. B, 100th Infantry Reunion Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A reunion of former Company B, 100th Infantry personnel is being planned. Interested persons should contact Chick Furuye in Los Angeles.

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.