Vol. 39, No. 5, July 30, 1954. 8 pages. View this issue
A new law restoring citizenship to Nisei in Japan led the news. Law 515, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Watkins at JACL request and signed by Eisenhower, restores citizenship to some 2,000 Nisei who lost it solely by voting in Japanese elections during the Occupation. Also on page one, the California American Legion convention withdrew resolutions against racial restrictions, and several Exchange Clubs pressed to end their white-only membership rule. Mike M. Masaoka’s column on page two looked at the Geneva accord.
Other pages cover a supplemental bill with $38,358.63 for nine evacuation claims, and nominees for JACL’s Nisei of the Biennium award. Inside are word of up to 250 Issei naturalization examinations in Northern California, Nisei nominated for officer commissions, and columns by Bill Hosokawa and Larry Tajiri.
What’s in this issue
National
- California Legion May Rid Own Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Resolutions urging an end to racial restrictions in the American Legion were withdrawn at the California Legion convention to avoid a floor fight. Legion officials believed the amendment would have a better chance at the national convention.
- Eisenhower Signs Watkins Bill Restoring Citizenship to Stranded Nisei in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Law 515, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Watkins at JACL request, restores citizenship to some 2,000 Nisei who lost it solely by voting in Japanese elections during the Occupation. Applicants must complete naturalization oaths before July 20, 1956, and certain disqualifying acts bar eligibility.
- Exchange Clubs Lead Fight Against Racial Discrimination, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several California Exchange Clubs have been suspended or have withdrawn over the national organization’s policy limiting membership to white businessmen. Clubs in San Jose, Visalia, Oakland, and elsewhere are pressing for by-law changes.
- LA Supervisors Urge CAB Approval of JAL Request, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors urged the Civil Aeronautics Board to approve a Japanese government request to make Los Angeles International Airport a terminus for Japan Air Lines. The State Department has already approved the plan.
Incarceration & Redress
- $38,000 Included in Supplemental Bill for Claims, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A supplemental deficiency appropriation includes $38,358.63 to pay nine Japanese evacuation claims awarded in June. JACL support for both supplemental bills will continue through the congressional session.
- Conference on Race Relations in World Perspective, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Summaries from the Conference on Race Relations at the University of Hawaii reference Nisei and Japanese Americans in discussions of federal policy, Hawaii race relations, and Brazil. Speakers noted the Japanese Exclusion Act and wartime evacuation as examples of regional pressures shaping federal policy.
JACL
- Nisei of the Biennium Nominees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s National Recognitions Committee received nominations for the Nisei of the Biennium award, including Sgt. Hershey Miyamura, Judge John Aiso, and Harvey Itano. Nominations were to close August 15 for the award presented at the national convention banquet.
Commentary
- Communist Victory at Geneva, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka argues the Geneva accord was a significant Communist victory that weakens the western defense perimeter in Asia. He urges the United States to demonstrate resolve to Asian allies, even acting alone if necessary.
- The Great Filibuster, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A prolonged Senate debate on atomic energy legislation has stalled the entire legislative program before the planned adjournment. The column notes the irony that senators opposing filibusters are now using one to advance their goals.
- New Horizons, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Korean perspective criticizes Japanese economic exploitation of Korea and questions American focus on Japanese prosperity over Korean rehabilitation. The piece also reflects on Japanese worries about fallout from the Bikini H-bomb tests.
- From the Frying Pan: Appetite for Flowers, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa profiles Misu Togasaki, a wildflower enthusiast, on an expedition to Rocky Mountain National Park to collect alpine flora. He describes her boundless energy and devotion to botany.
- The Hollywood Front: Vagaries, by Larry Tajiri, page 6. Tajiri surveys the shrinking opportunities for Japanese American performers in Hollywood as the industry shifts to wide-screen productions and TV. He notes past Hollywood films featuring Asian settings and recent projects like Dateline Tokyo.
- Editorials: Southeast Asia, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial examines the Geneva agreement’s loss of half of Vietnam to the Communists and reactions from neighboring countries. It warns that the agreement’s aftermath threatens Southeast Asia and calls for the planned September conference to proceed.
Community
- Southland Speaking Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. Noboru S. Tsunoda of the Tri-State Buddhist Church in Denver will tour Southern California from July 31 to August 15. The schedule lists stops in Gardena, Los Angeles, San Fernando, Santa Barbara, Arizona, and San Diego.
- Japanese Flower Growers Get Boost From House Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A House committee favorably reported the Younger Bill allowing flower and produce shippers to consolidate air shipments. Masaoka testified in support, noting the benefit to small and medium growers and Nisei in the flower industry.
- Statehood Chances Killed in House, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A House Rules Committee vote tabled a resolution to send Hawaii and Alaska statehood legislation to conference, effectively killing it for this session. The legislation remains alive until the next Congress.
- Chicago Corner, by Smoky Sakurada, page 4. The column reports on the growth of Illinois credit unions and the Chicago JACL Credit Union, which has nearly $100,000 in assets. It also notes Nisei business and professional news in the Chicago area.
- Henry Nakamura of Go For Broke Completing Role at Chino Honor Farm, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Honolulu-born actor Henry Nakamura, known for Go For Broke, is working on a new film called Unchained. He reflects on the difficulty of finding acting work in Hollywood.
- 250 More Issei to Be Examined in Northern California, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Up to 250 Issei petitioners will be examined for naturalization in August at the San Francisco JACL Regional Office. JACL chapters are supplying interpreters for the examinations.
- Monterey Meeting This Sunday, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pacific Southwest District Council’s third quarterly meeting in Monterey doubles as the pre-National Convention rally. The event includes the first district council golf tournament with 47 golfers entered.
- Two Autumn-Season Tours to Japan Via APL Liner Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Two group tours to Japan sailing on the President Cleveland in September are being organized by Nisei travel agents Toshi Kataoka and Eiji Tanabe. The tours include two weeks of sightseeing in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, and other cities.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Opportunities at Army, Navy, Air Force Academies Appear Good, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Congressional appointments to the service academies are available, and Nisei in California’s 14th District are encouraged to contact their representative promptly. Preliminary examinations for Air Academy nominees are being conducted in August.
- Nisei Nominated for Commissions by White House, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Four Nisei received executive nominations for permanent officer grades in the Army, Marine Corps, and Regular Army. Those nominated include George M. Nagata, Juneus T. Oba, Joseph S. Ohina, and Edward R. Yama.
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