Vol. 37, No. 14, October 2, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Honors for Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura ran through this eight-page issue. Fort Bliss officers planned a six-battalion review for his separation from the Army, and Henry Mori reported on a testimonial banquet at the Statler Hotel in Los Angeles that drew more than 350 people. On the front page, the Washington, D.C., JACL chapter joined twenty local organizations in urging the District Commissioners to end racial discrimination in licensed public places, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eizo Teraji became the first Issei in Salinas to be naturalized together.
Lawrence Nakatsuka wrote about the coming Honolulu visits of Vice-President Nixon and Crown Prince Akihito. National JACL President George Inagaki toured the Northwest and met the Seattle chapter. The editorial page includes “Our First Year,” the paper’s note on a year of publishing in Los Angeles, Harry K. Honda’s argument against a national sales tax, and Larry Tajiri’s column on a family that came to America through baseball.
What’s in this issue
National
- Washington JACL Chapter Joins Non-Discrimination Plea, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Washington JACL chapter joined twenty local organizations in a letter urging the District Commissioners to end racial discrimination in licensed public places. The letter relies on a Supreme Court decision in the Thompson Restaurant case and the old 1870 civil rights laws.
- Salinas Issei Couple Naturalized Together, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eizo Teraji became the first Issei in Salinas to be naturalized as American citizens, passing the test together on September 15. Their two sons serve in the armed forces and their daughter lives in Los Angeles.
- Akihito, Nixon Due in Honolulu, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Crown Prince Akihito arrives in Honolulu for three days at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, with a garden party at Washington Place hosted by Governor Samuel Wilder King. Vice-President Nixon’s visit includes a naturalization ceremony and a goodwill tour of Asian countries.
Military & Veterans
- VIP Treatment for Sgt. Miyamura Planned by Ft. Bliss Separation Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Army officers at Fort Bliss prepared special treatment for Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura’s separation from the Army, including a six-battalion review. Miyamura and his buddy Dan McKinney plan to open a drive-in restaurant in Gallup.
- Nixon Due in Honolulu, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. Vice-President Nixon and Crown Prince Akihito will both visit Hawaii in October, with Nixon expected to speak at a naturalization ceremony. Their visits are drawing preparations and welcomes from the local Japanese community.
- Okinawan Treasures Recovered by New York Soldier, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sgt. William T. Davis spent a year tracking down missing national treasures of Okinawa, including the Omoro manuscript, which had been taken to the United States. He returned them to Okinawa in May, and several items remain missing.
- Nisei Veterans Honor Miyamura at Los Angeles Testimonial, by Henry Mori, page 7. More than 350 people attended a testimonial banquet at the Statler Hotel honoring Medal of Honor winner Hiroshi Miyamura. Five veterans organizations and JACL worked together on the event, which was praised as a model for future joint community projects.
Arts & Entertainment
- Teahouse Tryout Successful, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Broadway pre-production of The Teahouse of the August Moon opened in New Haven to positive reviews, with Mariko Niki winning praise in the lead role of Lotus Blossom. The critic noted the show’s comedy but suggested cuts to its nearly three-hour running time.
Community
- Japanese Imports to Hawaii Mostly Foodstuffs, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hawaii importers brought over $5.2 million in goods from Japan in 1952, with foodstuffs making up the bulk. Imports had grown by about $2 million since 1950 but remained about two-thirds of pre-war levels.
- Diners Eat Hearty Meal, Then Rob Cafe, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Two men dined at the China Tea Garden in Salt Lake City, paid their check, then pulled guns and robbed the restaurant of about $150. They fled after ripping the telephone cord out of the cashier’s counter.
- Sumitomo and Other Chapter Memos, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Several JACL chapters announced citizenship classes for Issei and fundraising recognition for National JACL. The Fowler chapter also announced its Fall Festival float theme of Life is Better Here.
JACL
- Inagaki, Ishimaru Feted in Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 3. National JACL President George Inagaki and Northern California regional director Haruo Ishimaru met with the Seattle chapter during a grassroots tour of the Northwest. Citizenship, claims adjustment, and correcting a subversive organizations list were the main topics discussed.
Commentary
- Hiroshima Film Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Japan Teachers Union film called Hiroshima was criticized for its anti-American content and faced distribution problems with major studios. The article argues that Japanese teachers’ union leaders promoting communism should not receive assistance from Americans.
- Our First Year, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Citizen marks its first year of publishing in Los Angeles, noting that its role as the only Nisei publication has declined with the growth of other vernacular papers. The paper reports it is now financially stable and plans further improvements.
- Wicked Sales Tax, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. The author argues that a national sales tax would be unfair because it burdens families least able to pay, particularly on necessities like food and clothing. He opposes the proposal, which Rep. Daniel Reed has also vowed to block in Congress.
- In America via Baseball, by Larry Tajiri, page 8. Larry Tajiri recounts how Paul James, an Irish-Siamese man who learned baseball in Borneo, came to the United States after the war through friendships formed in Singapore. The family’s arrival and their sons’ military service are presented as a heartwarming story.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.