JACL’s testimony on vested property and Japanese war claims

Vol. 49, No. 2, July 10, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL’s objection to paying Japanese war claims out of vested property led the July 10, 1959 issue. Mike Masaoka told a House subcommittee that JACL supports legitimate claims but opposes funding them by liquidating vested private property, and he urged direct annual appropriations from Congress instead. His full testimony runs on page 6. The same issue covered Hawaii’s coming general election, with 55 candidates of Japanese ancestry on the ballot, and Kango Kunitsugu’s column on what that vote meant for mainland Nisei. Larry S. Tajiri looked at Oriental themes in Hollywood films.

Elsewhere in the eight pages, the editor reported that circulation of the paper kept climbing. Twenty-six students were nominated for JACL scholarships, and chapters from Cleveland to Omaha honored their local graduates. A bill by Congressman James Roosevelt would restore leave and retirement credit to Nisei federal employees, and the sports page followed Warren Higa and Hank Shimada.

What’s in this issue

National

• JACL protests use of vested property to settle Japanese war claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka testified before a House subcommittee that JACL supports legitimate war claims but opposes paying them from liquidated vested private property. He urged Congress to make direct annual appropriations instead, as it has for other claims legislation.
• Dr. Suzuki on Zen, Japan changes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Suzuki also described postwar Japan’s mix of Americanization and returning old customs. He doubted Communism could gain a foothold there.
• The National Director’s Report: National election procedures and 1960 biennial, by Masao Satow, page 4. Satow reports on changes to national election procedures adopted by the National Board and on preparations for the 1960 Sacramento National Convention. He also covers district conventions and 1000 Club membership.
• Japanese senator praises U.S. citizenship restoration, by JACL News Service, page 8. Japanese Senator Shizue Kato wrote to Attorney General William Rogers commending the restoration of American citizenship to Nisei renunciants. Rogers responded warmly, and the exchange was viewed as a step toward goodwill between nations.
• Senator Jackson reprints PC tribute to Delegate Burns, by JACL News Service, page 8. Senator Henry Jackson placed in the Congressional Record a PC Washington Newsletter praising Delegate John Burns for his work on Hawaii statehood and for an East-West University. The article recalls Burns’ role preventing anti-Japanese hysteria in Hawaii during WWII.

Commentary

• PC circulation keeps climbing, by H.H., page 1. The editor reports circulation gains by district and chapter, noting the Intermountain’s big jump and urging JACL members to subscribe. He estimates circulation would pass 10,000 if every JACL household subscribed.
• Letter from Berry Suzukida on JACL’s future, by Berry Suzukida, page 2. Suzukida responds to Mike Masaoka’s question about liquidating JACL, arguing Nisei should trust America’s fairness and adopt local chapter autonomy. The editor notes the analogy may be slippery.
• Hawaii disproves a tired myth, by Denver Post, page 2. A Denver Post editorial reprinted in the PC notes Hawaii’s strong vote for statehood and the defeats of ILWU-linked candidates. It also highlights Nisei candidate Daniel Inouye and the possibility of the first Oriental-blood member of Congress.
• Oriental cycle still going in Hollywood, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri surveys Hollywood’s renewed interest in Oriental-themed films and the careers of actresses such as Miiko Taka, Miyoshi Umeki, Eiko Ando, and Michi Kobi. He lists numerous upcoming productions with Asian settings.
• Implications of Hawaii election for Nisei, by Kango Kunitsugu, page 7. Kunitsugu examines the political implications of Nisei candidates in Hawaii’s primary and how mainland Nisei lag behind. He suggests a Nisei candidate on the mainland could spur greater civic involvement.
• Newsletter: Supreme Court term review, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the Supreme Court’s 1958-59 term, noting record docket size, a more conservative tilt, and key civil rights and procedural rulings. He highlights Chief Justice Warren’s liberal stance on racial issues.

Incarceration & Redress

• Fathers in Japan losing traditional dominance in family, delinquency mounts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kyoto Family Court probation officer Toru Yamaguchi told Denver audiences that postwar Japanese fathers lost authority, contributing to rising juvenile delinquency. He said juvenile crime has leveled off and is mostly petty theft.
• Masaoka testimony on vested property and war claims, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 6. Masaoka’s full testimony argues that vested property belongs largely to individuals, including native-born and naturalized Americans, and that converting it to war claims would be confiscation. He urges direct congressional appropriations for legitimate claims.
• Roosevelt bill to aid WW II Nisei federal employees, by JACL News Service, page 7. Congressman James Roosevelt introduced a bill to restore leave and retirement credit to Nisei federal employees who lost it due to the 1942 evacuation. The Washington JACL Office supports the measure.

In-Depth

• Zen Buddhism association with beatniks doesn’t disturb Zen philosopher, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki, attending the East-West Philosophers’ Conference in Honolulu, said beatniks do not practice true Zen but are sincere in trying to understand it. He also discussed postwar changes in Japan, including Americanization and a return to old customs.

Community

• Youth sentenced to six months for slaying of Southwest Sansei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hiram Bright, 21, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the March shooting of 18-year-old William Tono and sentenced to six months in county jail. The killing was the second involving a Japanese American within six months.
• Nisei candidate third in Watsonville pageant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jane Maruyama, sponsored by the Watsonville JACL and Nisei VFW Post, placed third in the Goddess of Watsonville 4th of July contest. Margaret Ortiz won based on button sales.
• Sansei rescues dog from burning house, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Teddy Okuda rescued Topper, a Doberman pinscher, from a fire at a San Francisco home. Sheriff’s deputies reported the incident.
• Nisei sworn in as acting postmaster, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nori Tashima, a senior clerk at the Livingston Post Office, was sworn in as acting postmaster after the unexpected death of John Healey. A civil service examination for the permanent position is to be announced.
• Cortez JACL names scholarship winners, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mivye Asai and Carole Narita were named winners of $100 scholarships from the Cortez JACL. Several other local graduates were also recognized at the annual chapter picnic.
• New York Nisei takes Oriental art curator position at museum, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Kuwayama became curator of Oriental Art at the Los Angeles County Museum after work at Cooper Union, the Freer Gallery, and the University of Michigan. He recently studied in Formosa, Southeast Asia, India, the Near East, and Europe.
• Reita Nagao of Los Angeles named to Foreign Service post in Thailand, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Reita Nagao, a 37-year-old Nisei, was assigned as second secretary at the American Embassy in Thailand. He sees the post as a chance to prove his interest in Asian culture while serving his country.
• Hawaiian radio ham earns Science Foundation grant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Katashi Nose, a well-known Hawaiian amateur radio operator and high school instructor, received National Science Foundation grants to study at Harvard. He has been on the air for 25 years.
• Two ballrooms inked for Nisei Week hop, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese American Optimist Club is hosting the 1959 Nisei Week coronation ball at the Beverly Hilton on August 15. Two ballrooms have been reserved to accommodate the expected crowd.
• Cleveland JACL’s first scholarship given to two Sansei; judges couldn’t distinguish, by Masy Tashima, page 4. Misao Yamane and Susan Yamada shared Cleveland JACL’s first annual scholarship after judges could not separate their records. The Rev. John Bruere spoke at the banquet on the heritage passed from Issei to Nisei to Sansei.
• Students named president of high school student bodies in Marysville, Gridley, Live Oak, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tommy Kawata, Arnold Inouye, and James Kagehiro were elected student body presidents at their respective high schools. Several other Nisei graduates in Yuba City were also honored for academic achievement.
• Oakland Jr. JACL summer plans told, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Oakland Jr. JACL and Eden Township JACL announced a joint beach barbecue for recent graduates and other summer activities. Non-graduates will be assessed a small fee.
• Chicago JACL weekend summer outing slated, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACL will sponsor a two-day summer outing July 24-26 at George Williams College Camp in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Recreation facilities and room rates are described.
• Omaha chapter feted local area graduates, by Mary Misaki, page 4. The Omaha JACL honored eleven local graduates at a party at the YWCA with addresses from Pat Okura and a response by Richard Takechi. Two movies were shown at the family event.
• Statue of Liberty celebrates 75th birthday, by Akira Hayashi, page 4. Akira Hayashi marks the 75th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty and invites JACLers attending the Labor Day convention in New York to visit it. He describes the statue’s history and sailors’ superstitions about passing it.
• Ajinomoto notice on genuine packaging, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Ajinomoto Company warns consumers that genuine product is packed only in specified red tins and glass shakers. It disclaims responsibility for similar products in other containers.
• Malicious mischief lawsuit against college, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A man named Matsuda filed suit alleging injuries from a shot fired at a stadium and claiming negligence by the college. The article reports that the shooter has never been identified.
• Deep-sea fishing derby slated July 26 by ELA, by P.C. Staff, page 6. East Los Angeles JACL chartered a boat for a deep-sea fishing derby on July 26 from Long Beach. Early reservations are encouraged due to limited capacity.
• San Franciscan planning new sukiyaki restaurant, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mitsuo Hosaka plans to convert the first-floor dining room of the Victoria Hotel into a sukiyaki restaurant. Renovation is estimated at $100,000 with opening planned for next spring.
• Seattle JAL party, by P.C. Staff, page 6. About 1,200 guests attended a Japan Air Lines buffet in Seattle honoring travelers on the inaugural flight. Peter Ohtaki and his wife greeted guests.
• Teenage dance and piano workshop announced, by P.C. Staff, page 7. East Los Angeles JACL began a six-week summer dance class for teenagers at International Institute. Long Beach JACL also scheduled a piano workshop.
• Nisei strandee wins $6,000 law scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Victor S. Hirakawa, a University of Washington graduate, won a $6,000 scholarship to study international law at New York University. He had been held in Japan during WWII.
• Stephen Takeshi of Omaha at Boys State, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Stephen Takeshi, son of active Omaha JACLers, attended Nebraska Boys State representing Omaha Technical High. He also attended a national student council convention.

JACL

• 26 nominated for 1959 JACL scholarships, by JACL News Service, page 1. Twenty-six students were nominated by chapters for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship and four matching National JACL scholarships. Each grant is $200, and Dr. George Furukawa chairs the selection committee.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Week and JACL news from Downtown L.A., San Diego, and Chicago, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 2. The editor describes a successful Downtown L.A. JACL dinner-dance introducing its Nisei Week candidate, a San Diego community picnic, and the death of Chicago designer Fred S. Nomiya. The column offers chapter-level observations.

Arts & Entertainment

• 55 AJAs on general election ballot for Hawaii Legislature, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Fifty-five Americans of Japanese ancestry will appear on the July 28 Hawaii general election ballot for state Senate and House seats. The article lists candidates by district and party.

Sports

• Three-sport all-star athlete to enroll at Pacific U., by P.C. Staff, page 5. Warren Higa of Waipahu High, a territorial sprinter and halfback, will attend Pacific University on a four-year scholarship. The article also covers Sansei fencer Madeline Yamada’s top-10 finish at nationals.
• Basketball all-stars announced in off-season, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The 1958-59 NAU AA all-star selections were announced, including Kaz Shinzato, Yoneo Inouye, Herbie Isono, Harry Kim, Jim Miyano, and Myron Chong. Shinzato was the league’s high scorer.
• Nisei arbiter interviewed on baseball show, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hank Shimada, the first Nisei umpire in organized baseball, discussed his work in the California League on a Giants radio broadcast. He described the challenges of calling balls and strikes and his prior experience umpiring in Europe.

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