JACL’s stand on temporary farm workers from Japan, 1956

Vol. 43, No. 21, November 22, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL’s national policy statement on temporary agricultural workers from Japan led this eight-page issue. It supported their admission on equal terms with other countries, and a companion story followed 91 Hokkaido farm workers in the Oxnard area. The Placer County chapter’s 16th annual goodwill banquet drew over 300 guests, and Masao Satow and Dr. Roy Nishikawa each wrote about it. Bill Hosokawa, Larry S. Tajiri and Harry K. Honda wrote the commentary.

Other news included a grievance committee for job discrimination in Fresno, and Martin Y. Hirabayashi’s posting as second secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Judge John Aiso proposed changes to small claims court, and Downtown L.A. and Perry Post planned a night honoring new Issei citizens. Smoky H. Sakurada reported on greetings coming in for the Holiday Issue.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Goodwill Banquet as Investment in Community, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Placer County JACL’s 16th annual goodwill banquet drew over 300 attendees, including civic leaders, and was praised as a key tool for public relations and integration. The editorial encourages other chapters to hold similar events.
• Judge Aiso Suggests Changes to Small Claims Court, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Municipal Court Judge John Aiso proposed night sessions, expert witness panels, lie detector use, and laws covering out-of-state defendants to improve small claims court. The reforms aim to reduce lost wages and speed justice.
• Issei Disappointed in Japan, Some Returning to America, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Many Issei who retired to Japan after the war found life uncomfortable due to lost friendships, neighbor gossip, and low living standards, and some have returned to the U.S. The Nichibei Times reported the trend.
• Friendly Community Get-Together at Placer County Goodwill Banquet, by Masao Satow, page 4. The Placer County chapter’s annual goodwill banquet drew a broad community turnout, and the National Director praised the event’s warmth. He also shared a story from speaker Roy Nishikawa about overcoming discrimination.
• Placer County JACL Hears Dr. Nishikawa Address on Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL President Dr. Roy Nishikawa addressed 300 guests at the Placer County Goodwill Dinner, tracing JACL’s history and emphasizing service as a path to better citizenship. He spoke of Nisei wartime service and the community’s acceptance.
• Downtown L.A., Perry Post to Fete New Issei Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The second annual Citizenship Recognition Night will honor newly naturalized citizens on Nov. 30 under JACL and American Legion sponsorship. An essay contest on American citizenship is also being held.
• Berkeley JACL Names Board Nominees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Berkeley JACL nominating committee announced candidates for its board of directors, with further nominations accepted until Nov. 30. Seven top vote-getters will serve two-year terms.
• Monterey Peninsula Chapter Switches Date of New Year Festivity, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Monterey Peninsula JACL will hold its first New Year’s Eve dance at the Hotel San Carlos instead of the traditional New Year’s Day affair. The event includes music, noisemakers, and cascarons.
• Emergency Conference of JCCA Proposed for Winnipeg, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Japanese Canadian Citizens Association national executive proposed an emergency conference in Winnipeg in February 1957 to decide its future. The resolution cites weakened national administration since 1953.

National

• Grievance Committee to Hear Job Discrimination in Fresno Set Up, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fresno’s City Commission named a standing committee to hear complaints of racial job discrimination following a year-long study. The committee’s report found some discrimination persists and recommended ongoing education and publicity.
• Nisei Diplomat in Tokyo as 2nd Secretary of U.S. Embassy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Martin Y. Hirabayashi, formerly of Seattle, was appointed a foreign service officer and assigned as second secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. His background includes teaching Japanese at Navy language school and at several universities.
• JACL Policy Statement on Temporary Farm Workers from Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL released a policy statement supporting the admission of temporary agricultural workers from Japan on equal terms with other countries. It also recommends public relations efforts, safeguards against labor concentration, verification of shortages, and administrative oversight.
• Japanese Farm Laborers from Hokkaido Happy Working on Truck Crops in Oxnard Area, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A group of 91 Japanese farm workers from Hokkaido has been working in Oxnard truck gardens, finding the climate and farming similar to home. Workers are paid 85 cents to $1 an hour and hope to save enough to start their own farms.

Commentary

• From the Frying Pan: Reactor for Japan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. A 50-kilowatt nuclear reactor shipment from North American Aviation is headed to Tokyo for peaceful research, a striking contrast to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The column reflects on atomic energy’s shift from destruction to hope.
• Another Year to Be Thankful, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. The columnist gives thanks for good health and prosperity, humorously observing that growing children have dramatically reduced leftover turkey. The piece closes with gratitude for the family’s continued well-being.
• Housewives in Politics, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. The columnist describes how Denver housewives, including his wife, ran a phone and typing campaign that helped John Carroll narrowly win a Colorado Senate seat. The column notes Carroll’s past support for Nisei and minority causes.
• Efforts Pay Off, by Masao Satow, page 4. The National Director recalls JACL efforts that defeated Prop. 15 and helped lead to repeal of alien land laws in Utah, Oregon, and Idaho. He notes the Pacific Northwest District Council is now exploring repeal in Washington State.
• Nihongo in Grade School, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor notes that foreign language instruction is expanding in California schools, including Japanese in some Los Angeles high schools. He argues that teaching Japanese in grade schools would be valuable given the community’s roots.
• Chicago Corner: Holiday Issue, by Smoky H. Sakurada, page 5. The columnist reports strong early response from merchants and JACLers for greetings in the upcoming Holiday Issue. He lists many contributors and thanks them for their support.
• The Northwest Picture: Sakamoto’s Courier, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. The columnist recalls Jimmie Sakamoto’s Japanese American Courier and its role in reviving the Seattle Citizens League in 1928. He traces the League’s early political activities and the origins of Nisei civic organizing.
• Los Angeles Newsletter: Principal for L.A. School, by Henry Mori, page 7. Paul Nobumichi Yokota is believed to be the first Japanese American named principal-level administrator in the Los Angeles school system as vice-principal of Eastman St. School. His career includes teaching and editing camp publications.
• Washington Newsletter: Industrialization of Red China Evokes More Sober U.S. Thought, by Sam Ishikawa, page 8. The columnist examines Communist China’s industrial progress and the Eighth Party Congress, which praised Mao Tse-tung in a manner resembling Stalin’s personality cult. He argues U.S. Far East policy needs reappraisal as China pursues economic rather than military goals.

Sports

• Yonamine Started Newcombe’s Fall, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Nisei Wally Yonamine led off for the Japanese All-Stars in a game where Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe was knocked out early. The column also notes possible Dodger spring training invitations for Japanese players.

Military & Veterans

• Mother Donates to American Museum of Immigration in Son’s Name, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mrs. Kiku Munemori contributed $100 to the American Museum of Immigration to honor her son, the first Nisei Medal of Honor recipient. The museum project will honor ethnic contributors with plaques at the Statue of Liberty.

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