Naturalization, Japan’s elections and a test of the McCarran act

Vol. 36, No. 17, April 24, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

News of Japanese immigrants becoming citizens ran through this eight-page issue. Two Reno Issei were awaiting a call to be sworn in, while in St. Paul, Dr. Kano Ikeda and Mrs. Tomiko Ogata became the first Japanese aliens naturalized in Minnesota. A three-judge federal court in Seattle upheld the McCarran-Walter Immigration Act in a case brought by Cannery Workers Union Local 37. Two former Californians, Frank Takizo Matsumoto and Tanigawa of Hiroshima, lost seats in Japan’s elections. Mike Masaoka’s column reported on scrolls of appreciation presented by JACL President George Inagaki.

Also inside: Sam Ishikawa’s resignation as associate national director of the JACL, a Cherry Blossom Festival float honored in Washington, D.C., and Oregon’s civil rights bill. Bill Hosokawa and Harry K. Honda wrote columns, and the sports pages covered Keizo Yamada’s Boston Marathon win and Nisei golf at Pebble Beach.

What’s in this issue

National

• Former Californians featured in Japanese elections, page 1. Frank Takizo Matsumoto, a former Californian, was defeated in Japan’s lower house election after running for a major party seat. Another former Californian, Tanigawa of Hiroshima, also lost as a Liberal party candidate.
• Two Reno Issei to take naturalization exams, page 1. Two Reno Issei residents are awaiting a call to be sworn in as U.S. citizens after taking their naturalization exams in English. Both candidates passed their examinations.
• McCarran act test case finds law constitutional, page 1. A three-judge federal court in Seattle upheld the McCarran-Walter Immigration Act requiring aliens returning from Alaska to be examined. The case was brought by Cannery Workers Union Local 37 on behalf of members facing exclusion.
• Oregon state legislature passes civil rights bill, fears referendum, page 3. The Oregon House passed a state civil rights bill 46-11 prohibiting discrimination by hotels, restaurants and amusement places. Speakers debated the possibility that opponents would refer the measure to voters.

Community

• Japan Association float wins non-state trophy in D.C. cherry blossom festival, page 1. An estimated 70,000 spectators watched the Cherry Blossom Festival parade in Washington, D.C. The Japanese American Civic Association float took top honors among non-state sponsored entries.
• Lupton Sansei, symbol of cancer crusade in Colorado, dies of leukemia, page 1. Three-year-old Stanley Kiyota of Fort Lupton died of leukemia after receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital in Denver. His story was used to highlight the need for cancer research funds.
• Bussei start national clothing drive May 1, page 1. Forty-eight Buddhist churches of America will serve as collection depots for a national old clothing drive from May 1 to 15. It is the first such drive organized by the various national and regional Buddhist organizations.
• Sumitomo bank opens new Los Angeles office, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sumitomo Bank of California held an open house at its newly remodeled office at 1st and San Pedro streets in Los Angeles. Manager T. Satake emphasized friendly and reliable service.
• Issei graduate from Americanization course in San Mateo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 140 Issei received certificates upon completing a 10-week Americanization course at the San Mateo Buddhist hall. Officials praised their diligence in preparing for American citizenship.
• Japanese warbride files for naturalization, page 3. Toshiko Osumi Bowman, formerly of Tokyo, applied for citizenship in Cleveland so she may join her husband, Sgt. Donald Bowman, stationed in Germany. The couple married in Tokyo in 1951.
• 2 hurt as scooter collides with auto, page 3. Two people were injured in Stockton when an auto and a motor scooter collided at Center and First streets. Both were taken for treatment.
• Minnesota judge swears in first two Issei as citizens in Northwest area, page 3. Dr. Kano Ikeda, a 67-year-old pathologist, became an American citizen in St. Paul federal court along with Mrs. Tomiko Ogata. They are the first Japanese aliens naturalized in Minnesota following congressional approval of Japanese naturalization.
• Crossroads manager resigns from post, page 3. Jack Matsuzaki resigned as business manager of the Crossroads, a Nisei weekly in Los Angeles. Robert Uno, the paper’s founder, was named managing editor.
• Pacific Northwest district council ready for Portland confab in November, page 4. Oregon JACL chapters will host the Pacific Northwest District Council convention over Thanksgiving weekend in Portland. A new slate of district officers was elected at the April session.
• San Mateo City Council chambers site of NCWN second quarterly session, page 4. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council will meet May 17 in the San Mateo city council chambers. The session will be followed by a banquet and dance at the Benjamin Franklin hotel.
• Joan Nakamoto queen of Placer CL picnic, page 4. Around 5,000 people attended the Placer County JACL community picnic in Loomis despite rain and snow. Joan Nakamoto was crowned queen of the event.
• Dr. Kambara speaker at Downtown L.A. luncheon, page 4. Dr. George Kambara, an ophthalmologist, will discuss physical ailments common among persons of Japanese ancestry at the Downtown Los Angeles JACL luncheon. He is a board-certified specialist and Stanford graduate.
• Yoshitomi applies for membership in Professional Golf Association, page 6. Kimbo Yoshitomi, a San Francisco native, applied to the PGA to become the first professional of Japanese ancestry to teach golf in Cleveland. He works as an assistant at the Euclid Beach golf school and at Acacia Country Club.

Incarceration & Redress

• Introduce legislation to restore crosses on graves of war dead in Punchbowl, page 1. Delegate Joseph Farrington introduced a bill to restore white crosses and Stars of David on graves at the Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery. The Army removed them in 1951 in favor of flat stone markers.

JACL

• Associate director Ishikawa resigns for Japan position, page 1. Sam Ishikawa, associate national director of the JACL, announced his resignation effective April 30 to accept a news agency position in Japan. He had served in many roles, including directing the Southern California regional office and the endowment fund.

Commentary

• National president presents scrolls, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. National JACL President George Inagaki presented appreciation scrolls to eight Americans who befriended Japanese Americans during wartime. The honorees included John J. McCloy, Norman Thomas, Pearl Buck and others who advocated for evacuees.
• Editorial: All-Nisei posts, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that all-Nisei American Legion and VFW posts are better than no veteran participation at all. It holds that segregated units can gradually integrate and help secure Nisei rights.
• Publicity scores, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges Nisei to fight discriminatory practices such as housing and barber refusals rather than quietly giving in. It argues that public airing of such cases educates the public and discourages racists.
• From the Frying Pan: A-Partying We Go, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Columnist Bill Hosokawa describes Hawaiian student luaus he has long wanted to attend and recalls stag parties he saw in Shanghai. He reminisces about childhood parties and school classmates.
• Very Truly Yours: No Senators for Hawaii, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda discusses Representative Frederic Coudert’s objection to statehood for Hawaii and Alaska on grounds of Senate representation. He argues that the concept of public opinion should not be reduced to majority opinion alone.

In-Depth

• Japanese theologian at Doshisha University, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Dr. Raymond Takuichi Oshimo, a Nisei minister, has taught at Doshisha University in Japan for three decades and now heads its theology division. The article also traces the history of Doshisha and the Amherst House memorial built in Kyoto.
• Settling the Southlands, page 8. The article discusses Toynbee’s thesis on eastern migration and notes large-scale Chinese and Japanese immigration to South America. It describes Japanese agricultural contributions to Brazil and Peru as potentially beneficial.

Sports

• Yoshikawa wins N.C. 36-hole golf meet, page 6. Fred Yoshikawa of Fresno took low gross honors at the Northern California Nisei golf championships at Pebble Beach with rounds of 81 and 82. Other flight winners were also listed.
• Japan-Hawaii amateur boxing series in summer, page 6. Oahu amateur boxers will hold a Pre-Japan tournament to select the Isle team for a four-match series against a Japan all-star team in late August. The Japanese fighters are expected in Honolulu around August 15.
• Keizo Yamada, Nippon runner, cuts marathon running to all-time low, page 6. Japanese runner Keizo Yamada won the Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 51 seconds, besting the previous course record by about seven minutes. Hawaiian runner Norman Tamanaha finished tenth.
• Tokyo Giants mar predicts Oakland to cop PCL pennant, page 6. Tokyo Giants general manager Cappy Harada predicted Oakland would win the Pacific Coast League pennant after seeing their power hitting. He also projected Seattle as runnerup and Hollywood third.
• So. Calif. NAU AA cage all-stars announced, page 6. The 1953 Southern California Nisei Athletic Union AA basketball all-stars were selected by all-opponent votes, including a sixth man for the first time. The first-string selections were named.

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