Issei citizenship classes and Nisei in Korea, spring 1953

Vol. 36, No. 18, May 1, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue

Naturalization drew the most attention in this eight-page issue. After the McCarran Act opened citizenship to older Issei, the paper reported on exams given in Japanese to 162 people in San Jose, citizenship classes in Long Beach and Sanger, a class of 58 finishing their studies in Caldwell, Idaho, and about 150 more Issei awaiting processing. The war in Korea shared the front page: Pfc. Susumu Shinagawa of Eleele, Kauai, became the first Nisei returned in the wounded prisoner exchange, and three Nisei soldiers received commendation ribbons. Also on page one, two Boy Scouts from Japan were chosen for the national jamboree, with funding for their trip still unsettled.

Elsewhere, the paper covered the Bureau of the Budget’s cut to the evacuation claims program, a possible closing of the Tule Lake prison camp, and President Eisenhower’s request for a special immigration quota. The editorial page includes Bill Hosokawa’s column on inventions, Harry K. Honda’s “Very Truly Yours,” and an editorial on the role of the Nisei.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Honor scouts form Japan delegation to U.S. jamboree, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. The Tokyo council of the Boy Scouts of Japan selected two scouts to attend the national jamboree at Irvine Ranch this summer. Funding for their trip to California remained an open problem.
• X Corps commander pins medals on trio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Watkins congratulated three Nisei soldiers who received the commendation ribbon for meritorious service in Korea. The soldiers were from Hawaii and Oahu.
• Reds liberate first Nisei in exchange of wounded POWs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pfc. Susumu Shinagawa of Eleele, Kauai, became the first Nisei POW returned in the Korean wounded exchange after 33 months in Communist captivity. He described his capture, marches, and treatment in North Korean camps.
• Three more families hear good news from soldier, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Families of three Hawaiian soldiers learned from returned POW Susumu Shinagawa that their sons were alive in North Korean camps. Shinagawa reported seeing Cpl. Henry Arakaki, Pvt. Goichi Tamaye, and Pfc. Tomio Tadaki.
• Navy adopts invention by Honolulu Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George S. Izuta of Honolulu designed a radiation intensity decay calculator that determines when personnel can safely enter atomic-contaminated areas. The Navy adopted the device and forwarded it to Washington for possible military-wide use.
• Dr. Mayeda of Denver assigned to Germany, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Takashi Mayeda, a Denver Nisei dentist and JACL member, was reassigned to Bremerhaven, Germany, with the rank of Captain. His wife will remain in Denver for at least 90 days.
• Spare-time woodcarving of small birds pays college tuition for New York Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Joshua Tsujimoto began carving small birds during his World War II relocation camp years and later used the craft to pay for Cornell agriculture courses. The brothers’ bird sales helped finance a modern irrigation system on their farm.

Community

• Mascoka to address Chicago Issei dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka, Washington JACL representative, accepted an invitation to speak at the Chicago JACL Issei Appreciation dinner on May 16. The evening will include Japanese food and films.
• CLers to call on Arizona governor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Arizona Governor Howard Pyle will not attend the Pacific Southwest JACL District convention banquet in Phoenix due to a White House meeting. A group of convention delegates will still call on the governor Saturday morning.
• Salinas jr. rodeo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Barbara Iwamoto is a candidate for queen in the Salinas Junior Rodeo parade, sponsored by the local JACL chapter. The rodeo parade is an annual community event.
• Student chemist in study of fluorides in Fresno water, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Michio Takahashi, a Fresno State senior chemistry major, presented research on fluoride ion levels in Central San Joaquin Valley drinking water. The study sampled 50 communities and major rivers, canals, and lakes.
• TV antenna-installer falls off 20-ft. roof, dies from concussion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Tatsuo Nakahara, 36, died in Honolulu after falling from a 20-foot roof while installing a TV antenna. He lost his footing on the slippery metal roof.
• Community-wide board formed to study Nisei delinquency in Southland area, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Following an editorial in the Crossroads, community leaders met in Los Angeles and formed a temporary board to investigate Nisei juvenile delinquency. Police and social workers said the problem was growing but not yet alarming.
• Community-wide board formed to study Nisei delinquency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Los Angeles meeting of community groups formed a temporary board to examine rising juvenile delinquency among Nisei. Speakers blamed family control breakdown and the aftermath of relocation centers.
• Name Issei leader ‘Mr. Fresno of 53’, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Setsugo G. Sakamoto, a Fresno insurance man and pioneer Central California leader, was named Mr. Fresno of 1953 by the American Legion. He was recognized for wartime service to the community and nation.
• Another 150 Issei near citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. About 150 Issei who took their naturalization tests in Japanese in February will be processed in May. Mass swearing-in ceremonies are not expected before mid-June.
• Legal issue snags redevelopment plan of San Francisco’s Uptown area project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco’s Western Addition redevelopment project may not begin until the state redevelopment law’s constitutionality is tested. Federal loans are reportedly on hold pending a court decision.
• Invite L.A. clubs to All-Nations, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Club Service Bureau reserved All Nations Foundation facilities in Los Angeles for Friday evening activities. The facilities include gym, game rooms, library, and kitchens.
• Sanger instructor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoshito Fujimoto, a former Army instructor, teaches about 50 Issei preparing for citizenship at Sanger High Little Theater. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday nights.
• Yatabe recital, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dudley Yatabe, a piano student at Northwestern University, is scheduled to give a recital at Cutkin Hall in Evanston. He is expected to graduate this June.
• Issei class of 58 in Boise Valley finish naturalization studies, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A class of 58 Issei completed Americanization studies at a banquet in Caldwell, Idaho, co-sponsored by the JACL and Idaho Japanese Ancestry Association. Idaho’s Lt. Gov. Edson Deal gave the principal address.
• Coachella Valley JACL chapter installation with sports awards, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Coachella Valley JACL held its installation and sports awards banquet in Indio, recognizing bowling and golf winners. Elmer Suski was installed as chapter president.
• Chicago panelists urge aid to aged Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Panelists at a Chicago JACL discussion said aged Issei, especially bachelors and childless couples, need some form of assistance. Speakers cited language barriers and Nisei unable to care for parents.
• New automobile loans popular for credit union, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National JACL credit union reported $29,567.69 in loans in the first quarter of 1953, with many members seeking financing for new automobiles. Net profit rose over the same period in 1952.
• Mile-Hi JACL program at DX hall May 9, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Mile-Hi JACL in Denver scheduled a chapter program for members and the community at D-X Hall on May 9. The evening will feature games and prizes.
• San Jose Issei take naturalization exams in Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 6. 162 San Jose Japanese took a full-day naturalization examination in Japanese at San Jose High School. The exam was made possible under the McCarran Act, which lets older Issei apply for citizenship.
• Reedley co-ed passes Gregg Expert test, 96% at 140 words per minute, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Lily Hashimoto, a Reedley College sophomore, earned the Gregg Expert medal after transcribing a 700-word dictation at 140 words per minute with 96 percent accuracy.
• Sacramento community picnic set for May 31, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Sacramento JACL will hold its annual community picnic at Elk Grove Park on May 31. Organizers are negotiating with other Japanese organizations to participate.
• Salinas picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Salinas Japanese community picnic will be held May 10 at Bolado Park, featuring barbecue, swimming, and golf. John Terakawa, chapter president, is coordinating arrangements.
• Stockton JACL community picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Stockton JACL annual community picnic will be held Sunday at the San Joaquin County fairgrounds. Lou Tsunekawa, George Baba, and Dr. Onizuka are co-chairmen.

National

• Lack of funds to stifle evacuee claims plan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Bureau of the Budget recommended $220,000 for administrative expenses of the evacuation claims program, $25,000 less than the Justice Department requested. Officials warned the cut would slow processing and prevent hiring of hearing officers.
• Congress cool on Eisenhower’s immigration law revision plea, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Congressional leaders indicated no major amendments to the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act would pass this year despite President Eisenhower’s request. Sen. Watkins and Sen. McCarran said the law needed more administrative experience before revision.
• Att’y Gen. Brownell deplores confusion of McCarran Act, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Attorney General Herbert Brownell told the National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship that the new immigration law should not worry law-abiding citizens. He said investigations target only a tiny fraction of naturalized citizens.
• California Junior Solons propose fest to replace national origins quota, by P.C. Staff, page 4. California Junior Statesmen passed a resolution to strike the national origins quota from the McCarran-Walter Act and admit immigrants on individual merit. Student proponents argued the current system conflicts with democratic principles.
• Ike asks for special DP quota, by P.C. Staff, page 6. President Eisenhower asked Congress to authorize special admission of 120,000 immigrants a year for two years, mainly for refugees from Iron Curtain countries. The request was sent to Vice-President Nixon and Speaker Martin.
• Islands are ready, by P.C. Staff, page 8. An editorial reprinted from the Los Angeles Times argues Hawaii is ready for statehood, citing its population and federal tax payments. It urges Congress to admit the islands as the 49th state.
• Opinions from other newspapers: NAACP and civil rights developments, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A roundup notes NAACP opposition to treaty procedure amendments and the House vote on subsidized public housing. It also reports California’s Assembly committee rejecting a fair employment practices commission bill.

Commentary

• Public relations specialists in Hawaii learn ‘facts of life’ that legislators pay little attention to ‘upper crust’ Haole, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 2. A Hawaii senator told a public relations conference that business PR had poor standing with the legislature because practitioners did not understand the broader community. He urged PR people to build relationships across racial lines.
• Long Beach Issei study citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Roughly 100 Issei in the Long Beach area attend three citizenship classes taught in Japanese at the community center. The classes are sponsored by the Nikkeijinkai with JACL cooperation.
• Role of the Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial argues that Nisei should promote friendly relations between the United States and Japan while keeping their loyalty to America clear. It notes postwar Japanese economic hardship and the need for Nisei to serve as links between the two peoples.
• Apologies, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editors apologize to readers whose subscriptions lapsed and whose mailing plates must be removed for non-payment. Postal regulations require the paper to stop sending copies without payment.
• Front from the Frying Pan: Genius at Work, by Bin Hosokawa, page 8. Columnist Bin Hosokawa satirizes Russian invention claims and ironically lists Japanese ‘inventions’ like dark-framed glasses, geta, and ama-geta. He concludes the Japanese contributed much to Western culture without needing to brag.
• Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry K. Honda reflects on a Portland Urban League student panel on racial equality and the difficulty of avoiding conspicuousness through names. He argues that prejudice targets people impersonally and that individuals must remove their own biases.

Incarceration & Redress

• Tule Lake camp may be closed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The federal minimum security prison camp at Tule Lake may close by the end of May due to budget shortfalls. The camp had been opened a year earlier to house inmates from McNeil Island.

Obituaries

• Minister’s wife dies, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Mrs. Takeko Yokota, wife of the Rev. Luke T. Yokota of Ethete, Wyoming, died April 14 after a long illness. The couple was known for missionary work in Wyoming.

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