Vol. 41, No. 3, July 15, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue
Legislation affecting Japanese Americans filled this eight-page issue. California Governor Knight signed Assembly Bill 2255, the JACL-sponsored measure granting old age assistance to elderly Issei unable to qualify for citizenship, and Jack Noda reported on it and on related JACL bills. Mike Masaoka covered JACL’s testimony on the return of wartime vested property, the revised Hillings Evacuation Claims bill, and refugee relief statistics, and his Washington newsletter judged that most JACL bills were unlikely to pass before adjournment.
Elsewhere, Larry Tajiri reviewed Johnnie Fujii’s guidebook Tears on the Tatami, and Bill Hosokawa wrote about pouring a concrete patio. Tamotsu Murayama profiled Hawaiian-born Nisei in Japan, Alice Kasai wrote about a visit from film star Mitsuko Kimura, and John Y. Yoshino reported from a race relations institute at Fisk University. A Fowler grower’s new peach variety also made the front page.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Tears on the Tatami, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Larry Tajiri reviews Johnnie Fujii’s book Tears on the Tatami, a guidebook for foreigners on living in post-Occupation Japan. He also traces Fujii’s career from Nisei newspaperman in America to wartime internment and later work in Japan.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Bill Hosokawa describes helping a neighbor pour a concrete patio and discovers the mental ease of repetitive manual work. He then uses a parable about a farmhand named Misozuke to reflect on the wearing toll of constant decision-making.
- Honolulu Newsletter, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 3. Nakatsuka cites Carlos Romulo’s Bandung remarks warning against fighting racism with counter-racism. He urges Hawaiian Nisei to stop dwelling on past discrimination and to advance as individuals instead.
- Chicago Corner, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. Sakurada reports on racial violence at Trumbull Park housing, where continuous police presence has become a point of tension. He also lists upcoming community events including a Hiroshima minister’s lecture and a JASC picnic.
- Very Truly Yours, by Harry Honda, page 4. Honda urges JACL chapters in urban areas to prepare civil defense evacuation plans and to explain them to Issei in Japanese. He argues Operation Alert shows the need for practical preparation.
- Scene from the Golden Gate, by Haruo Ishimaru, page 5. Ishimaru describes a San Leandro dentist’s struggle to buy a home amid neighborhood opposition, including a letter from residents that stopped short of endorsing equal housing. He reports the family ultimately declined to pursue the purchase after a builder raised the price.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: Miss Universe Contest Starts, by Henry Mori, page 7. Henry Mori interviews Miss Japan contestant Keiko Takahashi ahead of the Miss Universe contest in Long Beach. He describes her poise, her interests, and her reserved answers about Japanese stars.
- Washington Newsletter: Prospects for Congress Passing JACL Bills Not Considered Good in Pre-Adjournment Scramble, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka reviews the status of JACL priority bills including Hawaii statehood, the Hillings claims bill, immigration revisions, and refugee amendments. He concludes most are unlikely to pass before adjournment and are better positioned for the next session.
Community
- Fowler Grower Displays New Peach Discovery, ‘Has Everything’ Claim, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fowler grower Harry Hiraoka has introduced the Royal Elberta, a new freestone peach claimed to excel in color, size, taste and early ripening. The variety ripens in mid-June and follows other early varieties developed by Hiraoka and his brother Ross.
- Jury Sustains Western Pioneer Firing Ex-President, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Alameda County jury unanimously upheld the firing of Ralph L. Jensen as president of Western Pioneer Insurance and Investment companies. Jensen had sued for salary for the unexpired term, claiming breach of contract.
- Governor Signs Old Age Assistance Bill; Pension Benefit for Issei Secured, by Jack Noda, page 4. Governor Knight signed AB 2255 extending old age assistance to Issei, a major JACL legislative victory. JACL also secured passage of AB 841 and the repeal of the 1913 alien land law.
- Mitsuko Kimura and Husband Visit Salt Lake City, by Alice Kasai, page 5. Japanese film star Mitsuko Kimura visited Salt Lake City with her husband Ken Fukunaga, a childhood friend of the writer. The couple attempted to secure citizenship for Mitsuko before returning to Japan.
- Refugee Act Statistics Show Program Moving Forward, by Mike Masaoka, page 7. Refugee visa and assurance statistics for fiscal 1955 are presented, showing 965 visas issued for the Far East. Masaoka says the figures suggest the program is finally moving, while clarifying procedures for Okinawa.
National
- Gov. Knight Signs Bill Granting Issei Old Age Assistance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Governor Knight signed Assembly Bill 2255, granting old age assistance to elderly Issei unable to qualify for citizenship. The JACL-sponsored measure is expected to take effect 90 days after signing.
- JACL Urges Return of All Wartime Vested Property Confiscated from Japanese Owners as House Considers Four Resolutions, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. JACL endorsed full payment for wartime sequestrated Japanese property before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, while questioning ambiguous language in the resolutions. Masaoka argued debt settlement and property confiscation should be handled separately, and that returns should be made in dollars.
- House Subcommittee on Claims Urged to Consider Revised Hillings Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka urged Rep. Thomas Lane’s Claims Subcommittee to act on the revised Hillings Evacuation Claims bill before adjournment. He blamed Justice Department delays for the timing problem and argued the bill could pass on the Consent Calendar.
- Statistics Indicate Refugee Relief Act Speed-Up Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Refugee Relief Administration data show the refugee program finally gaining momentum, with 2,191 adult refugees admitted by June 1, 1955. JACL noted improving numbers of assurances for Japan and Okinawa, with Okinawa handled as a separate area.
- Visa Procedures Streamlined for Non-Immigrant Travel, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A State Department announcement simplifies non-immigrant visa issuance, extending validity to four years and allowing revalidation without formal application. The changes aim to facilitate the heavy international travel flow, including from Japan.
In-Depth
- Tokyo Topics: Hawaiian-Nisei Establish Proud History of Achievement in Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. This column profiles Hawaiian-born Nisei who achieved prominence in Japan as journalists, educators, businessmen, sportsmen and entertainers. Figures include Kimpei Sheba, Kakuichi Oshima, and the Haida brothers, presented to offset negative stereotypes of Nisei.
- Closing Gap Between Court and Community Theme of Fisk Institute, by John Y. Yoshino, page 8. John Yoshino reports on the 12th Annual Institute of Race Relations at Fisk University, focused on implementing Supreme Court school desegregation rulings at the community level. He notes speakers including Labor Secretary Mitchell and NAACP leaders.
Military & Veterans
- Ken Fukunaga Recalls Beach Outing and Army Service, by Alice Kasai, page 5. Ken Fukunaga recalls his pre-war Nisei life and his Army service in Japan, where he met his future wife. He also recounts a JACL beach outing in Utah that ended with members held overnight in jail.
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