Japanese farm labor, immigration rules and a school-reader protest

Vol. 44, No. 19, May 10, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

The Japanese temporary farm labor program ran through this eight-page issue. Dr. Roy Nishikawa’s President’s Corner argued that it helps Japan-America relations, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter reported on the congressional hearings. Rep. Patrick Hillings said a House subcommittee would probably recommend continuing some form of the program. On page 1, the San Diego JACL backed a national effort to remove a sixth-grade reader story that uses a derogatory term for Japanese Americans, and the Washington JACL office warned that aliens who entered illegally had until December 24, 1957 to apply for adjustment of status.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa’s From the Frying Pan, Larry S. Tajiri’s Vagaries and Henry Mori’s Los Angeles Newsletter ran as columns. Local news covered a Pasadena sister city tie with Mishima, Japan, a Nisei candidate for school boards, and student prizes in science and scholarships. The Pacific Southwest District Council convention in Anaheim was announced for May 18-19.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Farm labor program helps fight communism, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. The President’s Corner argues that the Japanese temporary farm labor program strengthens Japan-America relations and counters communist influence in the Far East. It notes that growers and workers are generally satisfied and that opposition claims about labor shortages and exploitation are weak.
• From the Frying Pan: Nisei oyster, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa profiles Jerry Matsuda, a Seattle Nisei electronics technician, and Hatch Kita, who returned to Japan after 14 years abroad. He observes that Nisei today recognize few limitations in pursuing their ambitions.
• Changing perspectives?, by David C. Moore, page 8. David Moore writes to urge Nisei to recognize the respect and employment opportunities now available to them. He argues that greater awareness of these gains would benefit both the Nisei and the wider community.
• Washington Newsletter: Japanese farm workers, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reports on congressional hearings into the Japanese temporary agricultural workers program and finds no racial tension in the program. He describes favorable housing, wages, and conditions for workers, while noting that the program has been in operation for only six months.

Incarceration & Redress

• San Diegans urge elimination of ‘Fuzz Young’ story, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Diego JACL is backing a national effort to remove or revise a sixth-grade reader story that uses the derogatory term ‘Jap.’ Parents and local media have joined the protest ahead of a State Curriculum Committee meeting.

Community

• JACL-ER might have had national publicity in rescuing horse from mud, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Jim Ushio, a Mt. Olympus JACL member, used his tractor to rescue a horse trapped in mud in Salt Lake City. The rescue drew a series of newspaper photographs.
• Nisei candidates vie for school board posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shigeru Sueoka of Petaluma and Mrs. Sho Ishimaru are unopposed candidates for school district boards in Sonoma and San Joaquin counties. Their elections are assured ahead of the May 17 balloting.
• Denver police signs up second Nisei member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Detective Arthur Arita became the second Nisei on the Denver police force and was assigned to the morals bureau. He previously served in Germany during his army enlistment.
• Long Beach organizes JACL youth commission, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Long Beach-Harbor District chapter president Tomizo Joe appointed a local commission to organize activities for elementary, secondary, and college-age youth. The commission includes educators, scout leaders, and a sports director.
• Pasadena to adopt second sister city of Mishima, Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Pasadena’s city council approved a sister city relationship with Mishima, Japan, forming the first three-way sisterhood with Ludwigshafen, Germany. A Pasadena Mishima Committee chaired by Elmer Wilson was appointed to implement the program.
• 12th NICC parley elects new cabinet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 12th Nisei Intermountain Collegiate Conference was held in Denver and elected Ted Saito of Colorado University as its 1957-58 president. The NICC and Mile-Hi JACL also announced a co-sponsored graduates dance.
• Pacific Citizen Vagaries: ‘Jewel on Stilts’ Denver, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri writes about Toge Fujihira’s globe-trotting film career and Minoru Yamasaki’s Detroit office design for Reynolds Metal Co. The design features a golden aluminum screen over a reflecting pool.
• Life study of fly wins in science fair, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Colleen Masaki of Norte Del Rio High School won first place in the girls senior division of the Central Valley Science Fair with a study of a fly’s life and habits. She earned a trip to the National Science Fair finals in Los Angeles.
• Denver Sansei wins Valley Forge trip, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kay Mura, a student at Cole Junior High School in Denver, took part in the Freedom Foundation pilgrimage to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. She joined representatives from top-awarded schools across 19 states.
• Competes with 30,000 to win N.Y. scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Kazu Konokawa of Bronx High School of Science won a $350 Regents college scholarship from among 30,000 competitors. He plans to study electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
• Sousei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sousei briefly reports on local JACL and community events.
• Sociology hair tips for the Japanese American Democratic Club, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori’s Los Angeles Newsletter describes a dinner-election meeting of the Japanese American Democratic Club, where Tony Ponce praised sashimi. The column also covers club leadership changes and a group health plan for Southern California gardeners.
• Chicago Corner: Young citizen of April, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 7. Elaine Kanzaki, a 15-year-old Waller High School junior, was named Young Citizen of the Month for April by the Chicago Junior Association of Commerce. She discusses her view that teen behavior stems from home conditions.
• Nat’l JACL Pres. Dr. Nishikawa to address PSWDC, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Roy Nishikawa will deliver the banquet address at the Pacific Southwest District Council convention in Anaheim on May 18-19. The convention will also feature elections, a Disneyland luncheon honoring Ralph Edwards, and the Emerald Ball.
• Outstanding Jr. citizen award may go to Sansei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Josephine Slocum of Fresno High School was selected as one of two Outstanding Junior Citizens of 1957 and will compete for city honors. She is a B-plus student and serves as student body secretary.
• Nisei girl elected legal sec’y president, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Lillian Yamagata was unanimously elected president of the San Diego Legal Secretaries Association. The election took place at a dinner meeting at the University Club.
• PNWDC convention set for Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Northwest District Council convention will be held in Seattle on December 14-15 at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel. Candidates for district offices were nominated at a quarterly meeting in Puyallup.
• JCCA headquarters moving to Toronto, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The national Japanese Canadian Citizens Association office will relocate to Toronto after Manitoba’s term ends in August. The rotation system assigns administrative functions to regional chapters.

Military & Veterans

• Golden Gate VFW, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Shiono was installed as commander of the Golden Gate Nisei Memorial Post 9879, VFW, succeeding Harry Tanabe. The installation took place at Yamato Sukiyaki in San Francisco.
• Nisei restored citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Kiyoaki Hamamoto of Oakland had his U.S. citizenship restored by administrative decision of the State Department after it had been revoked for military service in Japan. His attorney Mas Yonemura had pursued the case through multiple appeals over four years.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Golden Reel’ prize awarded to Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Ushijima, executive producer of Colburn Film Services in Chicago, accepted a gold award for best sound slide film at the Fourth American Film Assembly in New York. His firm also won a Silver Reel for a film produced for the American Petroleum Institute.
• Hollywood happenings, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sheri Kuni signed for a third Universal-International film after playing Tokyo Rose in Joe Butterfly. The column also reports that John Wayne accepted the role of Townsend Harris in a 20th Century-Fox film after Marlon Brando declined.

National

• Seven months remain for ‘illegally admitted’ aliens in U.S. to change status to ‘legally admitted for permanent residence’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL office warns Japanese aliens who entered illegally or overstayed that they must apply for adjustment of status before the December 24, 1957 deadline. The notice explains the discretionary relief available under Section 244(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and advises consulting a competent attorney.
• Continuation of Japanese farm labor held likely by Hillings, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patrick Hillings reported that a House Judiciary subcommittee will probably recommend continuing some form of Japanese farm labor. He said the State Department and Japan both favor the program, which he believes would not hurt the Mexican labor program.
• Cal Senate committee to consider FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors urged passage of a state fair employment practices law while holding off on a local ordinance. A state Senate committee was scheduled to consider the Assembly-approved FEPC bill the following Monday.
• Against farm labor program but for higher Japan quota, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Catholic Rural Life Conference opposed the Japanese temporary farm labor program but supported a higher immigration quota for Japan. A Stockton letter writer called the current quota of 185 ridiculous and urged more proportionate immigration.

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.