Vol. 36, No. 10, March 6, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Citizenship for the Issei ran through this eight-page issue. Within two weeks, 56 Issei in Hawaii, two in Sacramento and one in St. Petersburg, Florida became American citizens, while citizenship classes in Orange County and Eden Township and a class of 192 in Seabrook, New Jersey, prepared more. JACL national president George Inagaki announced a special study commission to recommend amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Editorials urged eligible Issei to apply and welcomed them into the JACL. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter covered the hearings on Hawaii statehood.
Other pages carried news of Lawrence K. Nakatsuka’s appointment as press secretary to the Hawaii governor, and the results of the seventh annual National JACL bowling tournament, with Chicago named host for 1954. Henry Mori reported on Little Tokyo merchants and the future of First Street. Letters from Saburo Kido and S. Shimamoto debated Japan’s constitution, and Bill Hosokawa wrote about television, movies and a judo class in Denver.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Nakatsuka named secretary to T.H. governor, by Honolulu Star-Bulletin, page 1. Samuel Wilder King appointed Lawrence K. Nakatsuka, veteran labor reporter of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, as his press secretary. The new position is part of the governor’s staff.
- Fisherman bitten by tiger shark, accident for both concerned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James S. Takeuchi was injured when a tiger shark tangled in his net and he accidentally struck it in the mouth, gashing his right hand. The shark was also hurt in the incident.
- Chicago host for 1954 National JACL bowling tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The seventh annual National JACL bowling tournament in San Francisco set eight records, and Chicago will host the 1954 event. Henri Takahashi of San Francisco won the singles and doubles titles.
- Orange County citizenship class starts next week in Santa Ana, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Orange County JACL Americanization class will begin at Mrs. Harry Hayden’s Midway City home with registration. Interpreters will assist Issei students.
- Ira Shimasaki heads EDC, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ira Shimasaki, former Washington, D.C., chapter president, is the 1953 chairman of the Eastern District JACL council. The brief announces his appointment.
- Issei in Hawaii, Florida, Sacramento naturalized within past fortnight, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Within two weeks, 56 Issei in Hawaii, two in Sacramento, and one in St. Petersburg, Florida became American citizens. Profiles of several new citizens were included.
- Teenage canteen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Woodlawn Teenagers in Chicago run a canteen where youth rehearse dance, singing and comedy and entertain hospital patients. Free Saturday movies at the Chicago Natural History Museum are also noted.
- Los Angeles Newsletter: 1st St. future, by Henry Mori, page 2. A rumored plan to clear the First and San Pedro area for parking alarmed Little Tokyo merchants, but the City Council reversed its vote. Merchants had sought reconsideration after wartime hardships.
- Eden Township Issei ready to graduate from citizenship classes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 100 Issei in the Eden Township citizenship classes are preparing for graduation and naturalization applications. The classes are sponsored by the Eden Township JACL with Hayward Evening High School.
Military & Veterans
- Killed in action and wounded in action casualty lists, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Defense Department reported Nisei casualties from Korea, including those killed and wounded in action. Names and home addresses in Hawaii and elsewhere were listed.
- Mass Naturalization, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A class of 192 Issei in Seabrook, New Jersey, is preparing for citizenship exams. The effort is supported by the American Legion Auxiliary and the Seabrook JACL chapter.
JACL
- Los Angeles host to 900 Nisei for 11th annual WYBL conference, by P.C. Staff, page 1. About 900 young Buddhists will gather in Los Angeles for the 11th annual Western Young Buddhist League conference. The program includes speeches, services, a banquet, and the Miss WYBL contest.
- Special study commission to seek best possible immigration law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL national president George Inagaki announced a special study commission to recommend amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The commission includes policy, technical, and watchdog committees, with subcommittees in several cities.
Commentary
- Washington Newsletter: Hawaii statehood, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Congressional hearings on Hawaii statehood revived old debates over proportional representation, while no opposition to the Japanese population was raised. Prospects for passage depend on Senate leadership and Democratic support.
- Tokyo Topics: Denver pioneer, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Shumpei Momii of Denver visited Japan as part of a pioneer delegation and was praised by his son Tom, who serves with Security Forces. The column notes improved Issei-Nisei relations.
- Denver pioneer and Japan visit column continued, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A continuation discusses the admiration Issei and Nisei now feel for one another. It also describes the pioneer delegation’s reception in Japan.
- Letter: Japan’s constitution and rearmament, by Saburo Kido, page 8. Kido responds to a question about whether Japan’s constitution was an American product, arguing that Japan retains the right of self-defense. He cites Article 9 and calls for amendment through proper procedure.
- Letter: Author’s answer on Japanese Constitution, by S. Shimamoto, page 8. A reader argued that the Japanese Constitution was largely a Japanese initiative rather than an American gift. The response discusses the drafting history and Article 9’s origins.
- Courageous apply, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges eligible Issei to file for naturalization despite rumors and misinformation. It recalls that many evacuees failed to file evacuation claims because of rumors.
- Issei membership, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial predicts that naturalized Issei will increase Japanese American voting strength and political activity. It welcomes Issei membership in the JACL as a source of renewed leadership.
- Bowlers’ tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises the growth of the National JACL bowling tournament as a demonstration of the value of a national organization. It highlights the increasing participation of Nisei bowlers.
- TV vs. Screen, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa reflects on how a movie theater screen seemed huge after months of television viewing. He also describes a new judo class in Denver for Sansei boys.
- Very Truly Yours: Chapter Elections, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The column describes the preferential ballot system used by a Los Angeles bachelor organization for electing officers. It explains how votes are tabulated and why the method suits small groups.
National
- Teachers’ union protests use of ‘Jap’ in high school textbook, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Lethbridge Local of the Alberta Teachers’ Association protested a social studies textbook that used the term ‘Jap’ 29 times. The union urged the Department of Education to revise the book.
- Citizenship restored to stranded girl who voted in 1949 Japanese elections, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Federal Judge William M. Byrne restored U.S. citizenship to Sumiye Nakaso of Santa Maria, who had voted in a Japanese election in 1949. Her attorneys were A. L. Wirin and Fred Okrand.
- First Japanese granted visa under Walter-McCarran law writes thanks, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sozaburo Kujiraoka, the first Japanese national granted an immigration visa under the new law, wrote to Rep. Francis Walter expressing gratitude. The letter was released in Washington.
Sports
- Chiyo Tashima swept women’s titles at national bowling tourney, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Complete scores and photos of champions from the seventh annual National JACL bowling tournament in San Francisco were reported. Tournament records were set in several events.
Obituaries
- Deaths, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The vital statistics section lists deaths of Issei and Nisei in several California and Oregon communities. Survivors are named for each death.
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