The new year of 1958: JACL’s review, a first Nisei ambassador and housing rights

Vol. 46, No. 1, January 3, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

The new year of 1958 opened with a look back and a look ahead. JACL National President Dr. Roy Nishikawa reviewed his busy 1957 in the President’s Corner, while Bill Hosokawa looked to the year to come. Tamotsu Murayama wrote about Ko Chiba, the first Nisei to become a Japanese ambassador, who was set to pass through his hometown of San Francisco. Civil rights news ran through the issue: New York City became the first American metropolis to ban discrimination in private housing, and Los Angeles was urged to pass an FEPC ordinance. The Justice Department had not yet set a deadline for Nisei renunciants to seek administrative review.

Elsewhere in these eight pages are Lorry Tojiri’s profile of weightlifter Tommy Kono, a visit between Texas rice grower Kiyoaki Saibara and Emperor Hirohito, and Mike Masaoka’s JACL Legislative Log. Chapter news came from Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco, which will host a February 2 meeting.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• President’s Corner: Year 1957 Proves to Be a Busy One, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. JACL National President Dr. Roy Nishikawa reviews his 1957 activities, including chapter visits, district conventions, and national committee appointments. He highlights the year’s busy schedule of meetings and installations across the country.
• Looking to ’58, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa anticipates the events of 1958, including space race developments, Cold War tensions, and domestic politics. He closes by noting the Nisei are prospering and may take a larger international voice.
• Winnie the Dachshund, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa humorously introduces his new dachshund puppy Winifred von Pooh, contrasting her cowardice and silliness with the noble traits expected of dogs. He reflects on loving pets for their weaknesses.
• Tokyo Topics: Aloha Club, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The Aloha Club, a social group of Hawaiian Nisei in Tokyo, has grown influential through its prominent entertainment and athletic members. The column also notes Nisei in sports and reviews a Japan Times article on Nisei achievements.
• Vagaries: World’s Strongest Man, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. Lorry Tojiri profiles Sacramento-born weightlifter Tommy Kono, who has won multiple world and Olympic titles and is a candidate for the James E. Sullivan Award. Columnist Oscar Fraley lent his support to Kono’s candidacy.
• Pointing Southwestward: Anti-Nisei Movies, by Fred Takata, page 4. Fred Takata reports that KTLA aired the film Air Force, which JACL considers objectionable for portraying Hawaiian Japanese as saboteurs. Despite protests and telegrams from veterans groups, the station showed the film twice.
• Until Something Better Comes, by George Sugihara, page 5. Contra Costa JACL president George Sugihara argues that citizens must take greater initiative in community affairs and that chapter and national organizations deserve support. He emphasizes that JACL is officially recognized by Congress as the commissioner of Issei and Nisei affairs.

National

• First Nisei Named Ambassador for Japan, to Revisit Hometown, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Ko Chiba, the first Nisei to become a Japanese ambassador, is set to depart for Mexico City via San Francisco, his hometown. He recounts his San Francisco upbringing and diplomatic career.
• New York First City to Pass Ordinance Barring Discrimination in Private Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York City became the first American metropolis to ban discrimination in private housing based on race, creed, or national origin. The law takes effect April 1 after receiving final Board of Estimate approval.
• Ask Ban Against Discrimination by Employment Group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Testimony before the California Assembly Interim Committee urged laws preventing racial and religious discrimination by private employment agencies. Los Angeles firms had placed orders excluding Negroes, Jews, Mexican Americans, Orientals, and Catholics.
• Noguchi-Designed Waterfall in Lobby of N.Y. Building, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Manhattan’s newest skyscraper features a lobby waterfall designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The building occupies an entire block front on Fifth Avenue.
• Eisenhower Names John A. Hannah Chairman of Civil Rights Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 2. President Eisenhower named John A. Hannah chairman of the Civil Rights Commission, replacing Stanley Reed. Hannah has expressed that the Southern viewpoint on civil rights must be considered.
• Nisei Importer Testifies Before U.S. Tariff Body, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles Nisei businessman James T. Ota testified before the U.S. Tariff Commission opposing tariffs or restrictions on imported frozen tuna. He argued collective security requires cooperative trading conditions.
• Census Planning for 1960 Head-Count, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The editorial examines the U.S. census history and the Census Bureau’s planning for 1960. It argues that data on foreign-born populations, including place of birth and native tongue, should be restored for nationality organizations.
• Los Angeles City Council Urged to Pass FEPC Ordinance, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Committee for Equal Employment Opportunity urged passage of a Los Angeles FEPC ordinance introduced by Councilman Edward Roybal. The measure prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, creed, or national origin.
• Shiro Kashiwa Named to International Academy of Trial Lawyers, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Honolulu attorney Shiro Kashiwa became the first Japanese American member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was sponsored by Melvin Belli and has practiced law in Hawaii for 20 years.

Community

• Bill Mimbu’s Wife Dies, Was Active in Seattle Circles, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Merry Toyoko Mimbu, 47, of Seattle died after a long illness, and her community service with the Ai-iku Orthopedic Guild and JACL is recounted. She is survived by her husband William, a former National JACL board secretary.
• Marysville Grower Absolved by Jury, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Sutter County jury completely absolved Marysville JACL member Dan Nishita of charges brought by the State of California over peach shipments. He was represented by Nisei attorney Mamoru Sakuma.
• Saibara Meets Emperor Hirohito, by Robert O’Connor, page 3. Webster, Texas rice grower Kiyoaki Saibara spoke with Emperor Hirohito for 20 minutes about Japanese Americans. The interview was broadcast nationally in Japan and reflected his father’s legacy of Christian Japanese settlement.
• J. Iwashiges of Salinas Honored by 180 Guests at Golden Wedding Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pioneer Salinas Issei couple Mr. and Mrs. Jikishi Iwashige were honored at their golden wedding anniversary attended by 180 guests. The couple had lived in Salinas for more than 49 years.
• Folk Fair Proves Big Success Again, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Milwaukee JACL’s annual Folk Fair grossed $3,700.76 in sales, according to chapter president Walter Wong. Volunteers were thanked for their work on the Japanese exhibit and sales booths.
• Chicago JACL Frank Sakamoto Seeks Third Term, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago JACL considers a third term for optometrist Dr. Frank Sakamoto, who led the chapter’s record membership drive in 1950 and is a two-term president. His tenure saw the launch of Jr. JACL and scholarship programs.
• Philadelphia CL-ER Aids in Museum Construction, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Philadelphia JACLer Dick Koga served as carpenter-in-chief on the Oriental wing of the Museum of Art, which features a Japanese temple, teahouse, and garden. The wing is considered the foremost museum display of Far Eastern art.
• Viola Doizaki of Brighton Named Winner of Mile-Hi JACL Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Viola T. Doizaki of Brighton received the 1957 Mile-Hi JACL Harry H. Sakata Memorial Scholarship Award. She ranked fourth in her graduating class and was active in many school activities.
• Over 100 Youngsters Romp at Detroit Christmas Party, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Over 100 children and 70 adults attended the Detroit JACL Children’s Christmas Party at the International Institute. The program featured a children’s choir, a nativity scene, and a visit from Santa.
• Weekly English Classes to Be Resumed in Detroit, by Harry Honda, page 5. The Detroit JACL weekly English class, which ended its fall term in December, will resume in January under new officers. Token gifts were presented to the longtime instructor and his assistant.
• San Francisco JACL to Host NC-WNDC Meeting Feb. 2, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Francisco JACL will host the first quarterly NC-WNDC meeting on February 2, combined with its 30th anniversary celebration. The day includes registration, a business session, and a banquet with installation of new chapter officers.
• Jr. JACL Raises Funds at Collaboration Dance, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Oakland Jr. JACL raised money for CARE packages and textbooks for Asia at its Collaboration dance. Donated books were also accepted at the door.
• Joint Meeting of ’57 and ’58 Board Set to Select New Philadelphia Head, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Philadelphia JACL scheduled a joint board meeting to select the 1958 chapter chairman and plan the year’s program. Five new board members were also named.
• Philadelphia CL-ER Named Assistant Attorney General in Pennsylvania, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Martin Barol, former Philadelphia JACL secretary, was appointed assistant attorney general for Pennsylvania. The chapter also began work on a revised constitution.
• Harry T. Muranaka Re-elected Student Body President at San Fernando High, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Harry T. Muranaka was re-elected student body president at San Fernando High School for the spring semester. He is also the sports editor of the school newspaper.

Incarceration & Redress

• No Deadline for Review of Nisei Renunciants Yet, by JACL News Service, page 1. The Justice Department has not set a deadline for renunciants to apply for administrative review of their wartime renunciations, though it encourages early filing. The process aims to finish by December 31, 1958.

Arts & Entertainment

• Whatever Became of Sono Osato?, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. The column profiles dancer and actress Sono Osato, who joined the Ballet Russe at 14 and later performed on Broadway. She remains active in performance and has an appearance scheduled at Hunter College.
• Miss Teal Joy Hailed as New Jazz Voice, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. Bandleader Ted Steele praises San Francisco-born Nisei singer Teal Joy, whose debut recording on the Bethlehem label he produced. Her appearance on the Steve Allen show received acclaim.
• Toge Fujihira Films The Mark of the Hawk, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 3. Nisei cinematographer Toge Fujihira served as chief cinematographer on Universal-International’s The Mark of the Hawk, shot in Nigeria. He was barred from working in London studios under British rules and went on to assignments in Belgian Congo and Brazil.

Military & Veterans

• The Civilian in Wartime, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The column honors Nisei and Kibei civilians who served the U.S. in noncombat wartime roles, such as language school faculty, whose contributions went largely unrecognized. It urges veterans and others to stop resenting those who served quietly.
• JACL’s Legislative Log, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka outlines JACL’s legislative priorities for the coming Congress, including evacuation claims appropriations, immigration liberalization, civil rights, Hawaiian statehood, and return of vested Japanese property. He also stresses the Washington office’s watchdog role.

Sports

• Yonamine Named Best Player in Japanese League, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu’s Wally Yonamine was voted the top player in the Japanese Central League by a poll of 26 Japanese baseball writers. The outfielder also led the league in batting.

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