Civil rights in the Senate, and a new JACL director in Los Angeles

Vol. 44, No. 25, June 21, 1957. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights legislation led the news. After the House passed President Eisenhower’s bill 286-126, JACL’s Washington representative Mike Masaoka urged Senate leaders to bypass the Judiciary Committee. Dr. Roy Nishikawa’s column welcomed Fred Takata as the new Los Angeles regional director, replacing Tats Kushida, and Takata introduced himself in his own column, Pointing Southwestward. Saburo Kido wrote on rising JACL membership, and Kenji Tashiro reported a record month for the Thousand Club.

The issue also reported that James Kanno was sworn in as mayor of Fountain Valley and that Douglas Jung was elected to Canada’s House of Commons. Mike Masaoka’s talks with broadcasters about wartime films on television, a textbook publisher’s promise to screen out the term “Jap,” and evacuation claims awards in a supplemental appropriations bill are also covered. Larry S. Tajiri wrote about Sessue Hayakawa’s return to film. These eight pages also carry sports and chapter news.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Southland Membership Potential Challenging, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 1. JACL welcomes Fred Takata as new Los Angeles regional director replacing Tats Kushida. The column stresses that Southland membership growth, youth recruitment, and chapter development are now the organization’s priorities.
• Nisei Golfers Nearer USGA Recognition, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The Southern California Nisei Golf Association is adopting USGA handicap rules to qualify its members for national tournament play. The editorial argues that USGA sanction will let top Nisei golfers compete with the best in the country.
• Washington Newsletter: Prime Minister’s Visit, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka argues that U.S.-Japan relations shape Nisei acceptance in America, and Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi’s visit is therefore significant. He outlines the agenda, including security treaties, trade, and war criminal releases.

National

• Senate Leaders Urged by JACL to Place Civil Rights Bill on Calendar, By-Passing Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. After the House passed President Eisenhower’s civil rights bill 286-126, JACL’s Washington representative Mike Masaoka urged Senate leaders to bypass the Judiciary Committee. The bill creates a civil rights commission, a new Justice Department division, and injunction powers.
• First Oriental Descent Canada Member of Parliament Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Douglas Jung, a 33-year-old Vancouver lawyer, became the first Canadian of Chinese ancestry elected to the House of Commons. The New Canadian praised his victory as an incentive for Nisei political participation.
• NARTB Invited to Join JACL Campaign to Rid Anti-Nisei Movies on TV, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka met with National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters officials to protest TV showings of wartime films that impugn Japanese American loyalty. The NARTB agreed to take the matter to its Television Code Review Board.
• Hayakawa’s Comeback, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Sessue Hayakawa returns to film as the Japanese prison camp commandant in The Bridge Over the River Kwai, his latest comeback after decades away from Hollywood. The column traces his silent-era career, his studio ventures, and his enduring presence.

Community

• Nisei Voted Mayor of City in Orange County, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James Kanno, 31, was sworn in as mayor of Fountain Valley, becoming the first elected mayor of Japanese ancestry on the mainland. Charles Ishii was also sworn in as one of five councilmen.
• Ohio Nisei Delegate to Lions Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bill T. Ishida, a Columbus businessman and JACL member, was chosen as delegate of the Shepard-East Columbus Lions Club to the Lions International convention in San Francisco. He is active in civic, school, and Masonic affairs.
• Thousand Club Notes, by Kenji Tashiro, page 4. May set a record with 200 Thousand Club memberships, bringing the roster to 1,945 toward a 2,000 goal. The column previews the joint EDC-MDC convention over Labor Day and an EDC chapter membership contest.
• Pointing Southwestward, by Fred Takata, page 4. New PSWDC regional director Fred Takata introduces his first column after taking over from Tats Kushida. He reports on the Nisei Relays queen contest, the first PSWDC board meeting, and upcoming Pasadena and Shonien events.
• ‘On to Chicago’ Theme Feature of Newsletter for EDC-MDC Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago JACLer newsletter previews the August 30 to September 1 joint EDC-MDC convention at the Sheraton Hotel. Convention chairman Kumeo Yoshinari announced a modest souvenir booklet and housing arrangements.
• Growth of JACL Membership Shows ‘Thinking of Nisei,’ Comments Kido, by Saburo Kido, page 4. Former national JACL president Saburo Kido argues that rising membership near the wartime peak reflects Nisei maturity. He predicts JACL will shift toward a civic and fraternal role once evacuation claims work ends.
• Pocatello JACL Newsletter Names Personalities of the Month, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pocatello JACL News honored Midori Tsukamoto, a medical technician and new mother, and Kenji Akiyama, a Marine veteran and farmer. May Shiozawa was also recognized as a community-minded housewife and leader.
• JACL Assured ‘Jap’ Won’t Be Used in Textbook by Publisher, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The American Textbook Publishers Institute agreed to help screen derogatory references to Japanese Americans from textbooks. A Standard Handbook for Secretaries author also promised to revise the term ‘Jap’ in future printings.
• Ft. Lupton JACL Moots Fund for Building, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Fort Lupton JACL held a special meeting to discuss a fundraising campaign for a chapter building. A program also featured a showing of This Is Your Life honoring Mike Masaoka.
• Pasadena-East L.A. Co-Sponsor Steak Bake, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Pasadena and East Los Angeles JACL will co-sponsor an annual steak bake and white elephant auction at Oak Grove Park on July 7. A community meeting on wills and property inheritance with Frank Chuman is also scheduled.
• Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Moriguchi, page 7. George Furuta opened the Imperial Gardens sukiyaki restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, described as the finest of its kind in Southern California. The column details its traditional Japanese design, gift shop, and chef Seita Kawamitsu.
• Korean War Vet Refused Tract Home Because of Japan-Born Wife, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Korean War veteran and his Tokyo-born wife were refused a home in Lakewood Village No. 2 in Sunnyvale because of her Japanese birth. Sequoia JACL president Peter Nakahara threatened legal action, and the sale was later accepted.
• Reno Lass Named to Girls Nation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Judy Aoyama, a Reno High student, was chosen as one of two Nevada girls to represent the state at Girls Nation in Washington. She served as a justice of the supreme court at Girls State.

Incarceration & Redress

• Evacuation Claims Awards Included in Pending Supplemental Appropriations Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A supplemental appropriations bill includes $2,424,119.77 for evacuation claim awards authorized from August 1956 through April 1957. The Washington JACL office published lists of April awardees and explained how claimants can verify their status.

Military & Veterans

• Aboard the Nautilus, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa accompanied a Seattle Junior Chamber delegation aboard the atomic-powered submarine Nautilus during its visit to Seattle. He describes the ship’s roominess, nuclear steam propulsion, and detection gear.

Sports

• SCNGA Adopts USGA Handicap System July 1, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Southern California Nisei Golf Association will adopt the USGA handicap system starting July 1 to pursue national recognition. Handicap chairmen agreed on uniform rules, course ratings, and monthly reporting.
• Seattle Netter Advances in City Junior Tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Garfield High student Art Kono took a commanding lead in the Seattle junior division tennis tournament, dropping only three games. He went on to win the state junior men’s singles title.
• Oakland Kegler Rolls 702 Series at Albany, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Charles Sumimoto of the Albany Nisei Handicap League rolled a 702 series, qualifying for the 700 Club of America. His games were 234, 214, and 254.

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