A JACL campaign against anti-Nisei films on TV

Vol. 45, No. 4, July 26, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

A JACL campaign to pull wartime films that show Nisei as spies and saboteurs off television stations led this issue. An editorial by Harry K. Honda urged readers to protest to station program managers, and San Francisco News columnist Guy Wright wrote that the films should be junked. Mike Masaoka protested a bill that would send vested German and Japanese property funds to educational aid for children of disabled veterans, and later took up the Senate filibuster in his column. Salt Lake JACL began planning the 1958 national convention.

Elsewhere, Larry S. Tajiri wrote about Miiko Taka, who co-stars with Marlon Brando in Sayonara. Bill Hosokawa questioned broad claims about Nisei personality, and Henry Mori previewed the Nisei Week queen contest in Los Angeles. Page 8 followed the civil rights bill in the Senate. Chapter news, bowling and picnic notices fill pages 4 through 6.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • Campaign against anti-Nisei TV films, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. JACL launched a national campaign asking TV stations to stop airing wartime films that portray Nisei as spies and saboteurs. Readers are urged to protest directly to station program managers.
  • What makes us tick?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa reviews a Chicago JACL report on Nisei personality traits and questions the validity of broad generalizations about Nisei. He argues individual differences matter far more than group stereotypes.
  • Steve Abe to conduct psychological study of Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Psychology student Steve Abe at the University of Utah is surveying Intermountain Nisei for his doctoral dissertation. He seeks at least 200 volunteers who will answer a 780-question booklet.
  • Why Issei citizens go Republican, by Henry Mori, page 7. Katsuma Mukaeda explains why many newly naturalized Issei lean Republican, citing lingering resentment over Truman’s veto of the McCarran Act. He also notes business independence and conservative attitudes among older Issei.
  • For our Mon and Pop, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The writer recalls their late father’s love of music, from violin and organ to Japanese koto pieces like Rokudan. The column reflects on his lifelong wish to enjoy music despite a busy working life.
  • Filibuster defined, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka explains what a Senate filibuster is, how the cloture rule works, and the attrition method used to break one. He notes the current civil rights debate could face a Southern filibuster.
  • Civil rights bill amended in Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Senate amended the civil rights bill to limit it largely to voting rights protections. Southern senators insisted on jury trials for persons violating voting rights injunctions.

National

  • TV critic says anti-Nisei films should be junked, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco News radio-TV columnist Guy Wright endorsed JACL’s campaign and urged that wartime films maligning Japanese Americans be junked. He criticized the NARTB for failing to recommend that member stations ban them.
  • Issei, Nisei paid tribute by Iowan during House debate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Fred Schwegel of Iowa praised contributions by Japanese Americans and Issei during House debate on mutual security legislation. He named several Issei and Nisei achievers in science and the arts.
  • Use of vested property funds for education scored by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL protested a bill diverting vested German and Japanese property funds to educational aid for children of disabled veterans, bypassing the proper committee. Mike Masaoka urged the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee and Rules Committee to review it.
  • Aliens seeking adjustment of residence status allowed trips to U.S. possessions; Japanese circus performer can visit Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 1. INS Deputy Assistant Commissioner Edward Rudnick said aliens with pending adjustment applications may travel to U.S. possessions without losing residence status. He also said pre-1924 illegal entrants with exemplary records would generally not be deported.
  • Director’s Report: District biennials, by Masao Satow, page 4. National Director Masao Satow previews district council biennial conventions, including the joint Eastern-Midwest convention in Chicago over Labor Day. He also reports on planned 1000 Club events and committee activity.
  • Vested property funds diversion: continued from front page, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Masaoka objected to the Veterans’ Affairs Committee bill using vested German and Japanese property funds, arguing it was rushed without proper hearings. He urged that the complex property issue be considered separately from educational aid for disabled veterans’ children.
  • Staunch JACL friend Peter Fukunaga of Honolulu named Hawaii’s Father of the Year, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Peter H. Fukunaga, a Honolulu businessman and JACL supporter, was chosen Hawaii’s Father of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. He founded Service Motors and Easy Appliance Co. and has a long record of community service.
  • Coloradans credited with easing bias, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Japanese Consul-General Akira Nishiyama said citizens of Denver and Colorado have been friendly to Japanese Americans and helped ease prejudice. He noted about 3,000 Japanese live in Denver and 2,000 elsewhere in the state.
  • Tardy germination: National JACL cooperating with Civil Rights Leadership Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 8. National JACL is actively cooperating with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights on the Senate civil rights bill. The conference opposes weakening amendments and urges constituents to contact senators.

JACL

  • Salt Lakers seek convention slogan for 1958 national; Doi named vice-chairman, by Alice Kasai, page 1. Salt Lake JACL is preparing for the 1958 15th Biennial National Convention, with Rupert Hachiya as chairman and Ichiro Doi as vice-chairman. Suggestions for a convention slogan are being solicited.

Community

  • Princeton awards $8,000 scholarship to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Franklin Ono, a Kaimuki High School honor student in Hawaii, won a Princeton University scholarship worth about $8,000. He will major in government and law beginning that fall.
  • Museum campaign in New York hits $1,500, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New York Japanese American groups raised $1,512.50 for the American Museum of Immigration fund by July 15. JACL representative Sam Ishikawa attended the planning meeting.
  • Issei celebrates 50th year of U.S. residence, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tatsugoro Okajima, a New York Issei turning 77, marks 50 years in America. He has contributed to community organizations including the New York JACL.
  • Nisei voted officer of Portland YWCA board, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mrs. Henry Akiyama was elected recording secretary of the Portland YWCA executive board. She also serves as board representative to the Council of Social Agencies.
  • Shonien invited to L.A. regional welfare group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Shonien Child Welfare Service was invited to serve on the regional administrative committee of the Welfare Planning Council child welfare division. Director Mike Suzuki will represent the agency.
  • U.S.-Japan gov’t cooperation assured for Nisei businessmen’s international confab, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese Diet members pledged government support for the international Nisei Businessmen’s Conference in Tokyo, Oct. 23-26. Letters of acceptance were received from Ambassador Douglas MacArthur II and Gen. E. Marquat as speakers.
  • Rev. Nagano addresses Camp Radford vacationers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Paul Nagano of Honolulu’s Makiki Christian Church spoke at the annual Japanese Free Methodist summer camp at Camp Radford. The camp was held in the San Bernardino Mountains.
  • Transplanted Texan and wife in New York want to help Japanese brides get adjusted, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Wilbur and Marie Jones of Staten Island, who have lived in Japan and love its people, invite Japanese brides and their American husbands to visit. They hope to help the young wives adjust to American ways.
  • Parade trophy won by chapter 3 years in a row, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Benito County JACL floral entry won the Jose Jacinto Memorial trophy in the San Juan Bautista Fiesta Rodeo parade for the third straight year. The chapter celebrated afterward with a weiner bake.
  • Mid-Columbia JACL float wins sweepstakes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Mid-Columbia JACL float took first place in sweepstakes and club classification in the July 4 Parkdale parade. Large crowds attended the Valley Days event.
  • Sonoma County JACL plans full 1957 season, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sonoma County JACL outlined activities including the NC-WNDC bowling tournament, a Monterey district meeting, a fishing derby, and a Nisei Memorial Day service. The chapter closes its calendar with a Christmas party and officer election.
  • Sub-teeners visit Michigan capital, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seven Detroit JACL chaperones took a group of Sub-Teen Club members to Lansing to observe the state legislature’s closing sessions. The club members were introduced from both chambers’ floors.
  • Intra-chapter bowling tournament slated, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco JACL will hold its first annual bowling tournament on Aug. 11 at Downtown Bowl. The event includes men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and singles with handicap and booster divisions.
  • Teen Club honors grads at dance class finale, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit JACL-sponsored Teen Club closed its dance class session by honoring four high school graduates. Committee members who organized the event were also recognized.
  • Boise Valley CLer installed as DAV officer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jamie T. Shintani, an active JACL member, was installed as past commander and executive committeeman of Boise DAV Chapter 2. The installation took place July 2.
  • Fishing derby, picnic schedules disclosed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Mt. Olympus JACL announced an annual fishing derby at Strawberry Reservoir and an August picnic at Storm Mountain North Area. Chairmen were named for each event.
  • Free chest X-rays for Li’l Tokio set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A mobile chest X-ray unit will serve Li’l Tokio residents on Aug. 2 at E. 1st and San Pedro Streets. Regional JACL director Fred Takata helped arrange the free service with the City Health Department.
  • Rip-roaring frolic to follow barbecue at 1000ers event, by P.C. Staff, page 4. San Francisco’s 1000 Club will hold a whing ding at Morton’s Warm Springs with a steak barbecue and entertainment. Prizes will be awarded for hula, barbershop quartet and other contests.
  • Arizona JACLers instruct 250 youths, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Arizona JACL members Ken Yoshioka and Dave Moore teach judo to 250 youths in a Boys Club program. The program was featured in the Arizona Republic and stresses discipline and self-defense.
  • Alternate auditorium site may save Vogue, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Vogue Bowl, a longtime site for Nisei leagues and the 1951 JACL Nationals, may be saved by a proposed Civic Auditorium site on Bunker Hill. Full details are expected in September.
  • All-Nisei team 2nd in Calif. bowling, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The all-Nisei Save-Mart team of Stockton finished second in the team event of the California State Men’s Bowling Tournament. A record 1,184 teams participated.
  • Race horse partly owned by Sacramento Nisei wins, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hajernape, a three-year-old filly partly owned by Sacramento attorney Mamoru Sakuma, won at the Solano County Fair and set a track record. The horse paid $21.50 to win.
  • Finest picnic to be enjoyed by 600 expected Aug. 11 at Marsh Creek Springs, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Richmond-El Cerrito JACL is planning a large picnic at Marsh Creek Springs with races, games, swimming and gate prizes. Committees have been assigned for tickets, program, food and other arrangements.
  • Los Angeles Newsletter: Nisei Week Queen, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori previews the Nisei Week queen contest with seven candidates from various JACL chapters. The 17th annual Nisei Festival runs Aug. 17-25 with coronation at the Hollywood Palladium.
  • Nisei Republicans hear state politico, by Henry Mori, page 7. Assemblyman Charles Conrad told the Japanese American Republican Assembly that California will become a major political arena and urged Nisei to organize at the precinct level. Taro Kawa was installed as chairman.

Incarceration & Redress

  • Library named in memory of ex-Calif. Issei, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Nihon University in Tokyo is naming a library after Hoko Hideo Ikeda, a former California resident and labor activist who died of cancer. The university will also turn his book collection over to his widow and son in California.
  • Out-of-court settlement gives children back to war bride who tried to kill them, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tomiko Samuel, a Japanese war bride who poisoned herself and her three children when faced with divorce, regained custody after an out-of-court settlement. Her husband, Sgt. Roy Samuel, sought reconciliation.

Military & Veterans

  • Utah Nisei doctor, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dr. Joe Amano, a Utah-born Nisei veteran, completed his internship at Minneapolis General Hospital. He now practices general medicine in Clearfield, Utah.
  • Nisei costume designer reveals resourcefulness for TV shows, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Nisei costume designer Michi Weglyn describes overcoming wardrobe challenges on several major television shows. She solved problems with necklines and costumes designed for acrobatic dance scenes.

Arts & Entertainment

  • Miiko Taka at home, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Miiko Taka, formerly a Los Angeles travel agency clerk, was discovered at Nisei Week and co-stars with Marlon Brando in the film Sayonara. Her strong performance has Warner Brothers considering a nationwide tour and other film roles.
  • One-man sumi drawing of Arizona Nisei regarded as ‘unusual,’ ‘accomplished’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Jimmie Komatsu of Mesa exhibited black and grey sumi wash paintings at the Phoenix Little Theater lobby. Arizona Republic critic Anson B. Cutts praised the subtle, calligraphic quality of the works.
  • Singer Pat Suzuki signs Hollywood record contract, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Nisei vocalist Pat Suzuki, who performs at the Colony Club in Seattle, signed a recording contract with the Vik label. Henri Rene, who has conducted for major stars, sat in on her test recordings.

Obituaries

  • Fumi Fukui valedictorian honored, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fumi Fukui graduated with high honors from Wheatland Union High School in Yuba County and delivered the valedictory address. Her father drowned in a boating accident and her mother was killed in an automobile accident.
  • Vital Statistics, page 7. Births, marriages and weddings among Nisei families across several states were recorded in this listing. These entries are routine announcements of vital records.

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