Nisei in Korea, a citizenship ruling and Go for Broke!

Vol. 32, No. 26, July 7, 1951. 8 pages. View this issue

Nisei soldiers in Korea and Nisei rights at home shared the front page. The Department of Defense reported four Nisei wounded and one captured, and the government withdrew its appeal in Hichiro Uyeno’s citizenship case. Larry Tajiri warned that old films showing Nisei as spies were returning on television, and an editorial and a JACL protest opposed deportation by guilt by association.

Other pages carried news of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the film Go for Broke!, including a San Jose premiere and a talk in Denver by Rev. Masao Yamada. Bill Hosokawa and Mary Oyama wrote columns, and Elmer R. Smith began a series on the study of race. Page 6 is given to sports, with swimmer Ford Konno and bowler Saburo Tsuhako among those covered.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Report Four Nisei Hurt in Korea Fighting, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Department of Defense reported several Nisei soldiers from Hawaii and California wounded, missing, or captured in Korea. The report was relayed to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington.
• Veterans Recall Exploits, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two 442nd Combat Team veterans visited the St. Paul Council for Human Relations to review records of their unit in support of the film Go for Broke!. They noted the film’s realism because cast members were drawn from veterans.
• Hawaii Nisei Sergeant Wins Silver Star, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sergeant Henry Hideo Yoda, a Hawaii native, received the Silver Star for leadership and valor in combat in Korea. The award was presented at a forward airstrip on May 26.
• Hawaii Lieutenant Koseki Returns to U.S. to Recover from Wounds, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lieutenant Reginald W. Koseki was slightly wounded in Korea and returned to Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. His wife is a registered nurse at the Veterans Hospital in Sawtelle.
• 442nd Chaplain Recalls Exploits of 442nd in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Reverend Masao Yamada spoke to the Denver JACL about the 442nd’s European combat record and the ongoing fight for democracy. He emphasized the importance of JACL leadership and Nisei unity.

National

• Government Withdraws Appeal in Nisei Citizenship Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The government dropped its appeal contesting Hichiro Uyeno’s restored American citizenship after a federal district judge ruled in his favor. Uyeno had lost citizenship by voting in Japanese elections.
• TV Station Chief Expresses Regrets Over Film Feature Showing Nisei as Traitors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. KSL-TV in Salt Lake City apologized after airing the 1942 film Let’s Get Tough, which portrayed Japanese Americans as saboteurs. JACL National Director Masao Satow had protested the broadcast.
• “Guilt by Association” Policy in Deportation of Japanese Alien Protested by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward J. Ennis and Mike Masaoka protested the deportation of a Japanese alien based solely on past membership in a defunct fencing association. They argued the policy contradicts Congress’s intent and violates due process.
• Challenge Attempt to Deny Home Site to California Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Baldwin Hills real estate firm threatened to bar FHA loans and water rights to a housing association unless it dropped a Nisei member. Attorney Frank Chuman and civil rights groups are challenging the action.
• Hate Films on Television, by Larry Tajiri, page 2. Tajiri warns that old Hollywood films portraying Nisei as spies, such as Let’s Get Tough, are reappearing on television. He urges the JACL and allied groups to identify such films and discourage their sale to TV.
• Hawaii Adult Education Heads May Ask Ford Foundation for Citizenship Training Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Hawaii’s adult education leaders are considering requesting Ford Foundation money to expand citizenship training. Officials say the territory’s large alien population, including many Japanese, makes it a strong candidate.

Community

• Issei Continue ADC Fund Drive in Denver Area, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Kika Kisei Domei continued its fundraising for the JACL-ADC in the Denver area, reaching $9,192.50 in total contributions. The group aims to meet its $8,000 regional quota.
• Forty-two Enter Competition for Nisei Week Queen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Forty-two candidates entered the race for queen of the 11th annual Nisei Week festival in Los Angeles, though only ten had officially registered. The festival is held each fall in the Japanese American community.
• Flowers Sent to Hospital Patients by Eden JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eden Township JACL sent flowers to patients at local hospitals and a sanatorium for the Fourth of July. The chapter also announced a community picnic at Crow Canyon Park on July 14.
• Report Goal Near in Drive for JACL ADC, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Southwest had raised about two-thirds of its 1951 JACL-ADC fund quota by June 30. Regional director Tats Kushida announced the total of $15,191.
• Nisei in Hollywood Start 81st Chapter of JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Thirty-five Nisei in Hollywood petitioned National JACL for a charter to form a new chapter. The group was unanimously voted into the Pacific Southwest District Council.
• Hotel Operator Wins Seattle Hole-in-One Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Shin Tosaya won the King County Public Links Hole-in-One tournament in Seattle with a shot eight inches from the cup. He won a set of matched golf clubs.
• Nisei Attend Camp Reinburg Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sixteen Nisei children from Chicago will attend Camp Reinburg from July 9 to 21 under the Chicago Resettlers Committee. The camp hosts 96 children in total.
• Third Annual Reunion Will Be Held by Imperial Valleyites, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former and current residents of Imperial Valley will hold their third annual reunion picnic in Elysian Park on July 29. The event typically draws more than 500 people.
• San Jose Capacity Audience Views Tribute to Nisei Vets, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A capacity crowd attended the San Jose premiere of Go for Broke! honoring local 442nd veterans. Mayor Clark Bradley proclaimed June 27 as 442nd Regimental Combat Team Day.
• Rev. Yamada to Speak to Issei in L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 8. Reverend Masao Yamada, former 442nd chaplain, will give a public talk in Japanese at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. The talk is part of a JACL speaking tour.

JACL

• JACL Nominations Committee Named for Elections in 1952, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A nine-member JACL nominating committee was appointed by national president Dr. Randolph Shimizu. Officers will be elected at the 1952 national convention in San Francisco rather than by mail ballot.

Commentary

• Editorial: Guilt By Association, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues the government improperly uses the Attorney General’s subversive organization list to deport Japanese aliens and deny re-entry permits. It notes these listings were meant for federal employment screening, not deportation.
• Editorial: The Price of Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial condemns a real estate firm’s attempt to force a Nisei out of a housing association in Baldwin Hills. It calls the restrictive demand an unacceptable price for housing.
• A Study of Race, by Elmer R. Smith, page 5. Smith introduces a new column on race and race relations, distinguishing physical anthropology from the sociological study of prejudice and intergroup relations. He outlines questions the series will address.
• Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A column of brief notes on Nisei activities, including K. Patrick Okura’s television appearance, a Nisei novel forthcoming, and profiles of Nisei in film and science. Items cover entertainment and professional achievements.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa reflects on Denver’s unusually hot summers and gardening, and recounts a Fourth of July fireworks outing after Colorado’s ban. He ends with lighthearted observations about family life.
• Smog-Lites: A Visit to the Shibai, by Mary Oyama, page 5. Oyama describes attending a Japanese-language play at a converted Los Angeles theater, struggling with the language. She is moved by meeting an elderly Issei woman who also came to enjoy the show.

In-Depth

• Red Is the Color of Blood, by Yurit Kyogoku, page 4. A mother whose son is drafted into the Japanese army is sent a red paper of rejoicing, but she comes to see red as the color of blood. Her son is killed, and her grief leads to tragedy.

Sports

• Nishita Outpitches Schoolboy Star, by P.C. Staff, page 6. University of California pitcher Bill Nishita defeated Honolulu schoolboy star Doug Matsuoka 3-2 in a Honolulu game. Both are considered Nisei prospects for professional baseball.
• Ford Konno Emerges as Top U.S. Star, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Honolulu schoolboy swimmer Ford Konno set four American long-course records in four days at a Honolulu meet. He is considered America’s top hope for the 1952 Olympics.
• Yoshioka Trains for Olympic Games, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hawaii weightlifter George Yoshioka won the 132-pound National AAU title and is training for the Olympics. Dick Tomita is also preparing for the Games.
• Honolulu Bowler Misses Perfect Game, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Saburo Tsuhako missed a perfect 300 game in the Hawaii AJA League after a pocket hit ended ten straight strikes. He finished with a 289 game, a league record.
• Jiro Nakamura Hurls for Kyowa Club, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Left-handed pitcher Jiro Nakamura has led the Mountain View Kyowas to the top of the Coast Counties Nisei Baseball League. He previously set strikeout records with the San Jose Zebras.
• Nisei Girls Star on Softball Teams, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Several Nisei women are excelling in softball, including Nancy Ito, a standout shortstop for the Denver Bankerettes. Their accomplishments in regional and national competition are highlighted.
• Sakanari Wins Northern California Nisei Golf Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. George Sakanari of San Francisco won the low net trophy at the Northern California Nisei Golf Association tournament at Sonoma Country Club. Fred Yoshikawa of Fresno took the low gross title.
• Four Nisei Girls to Swim for Hawaii in AAU Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Honolulu women’s swim team including several Nisei swimmers will compete in the National AAU meet in Detroit. The team hopes to defend its 800-meter relay championship.
• Nisei All-Stars Lose by 551 Pins to Detroit Stroh’s, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The San Francisco Nisei All-Stars lost a three-game bowling match to the Detroit Stroh’s team. Joe Sato of Oakland led the Nisei with a 626 series.
• Placer JACL Loses Despite 4-Run Homer, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Placer County JACL baseball team lost to the Grass Valley Dairy despite a grand slam by Norman Matsuoka. The loss came in the second half of the league season.
• 442nd Veteran Misses Out in Japan Golf Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Captain Richard Hamasaki, a Purple Heart 442nd veteran, finished seventh in qualifying for the Northern Japan Command golf finals. Only the top six qualified.
• Hirayama Leads Fresno Team on Hawaiian Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Fresno State College baseball team left for a month-long barnstorming tour of Hawaii, led by Nisei captain Fibber Hirayama. The team has won 37 of 41 games against college and pro competition.
• Nisei Students Invited to Attend Brotherhood Camp, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Nisei high school students are invited to a seven-day leadership conference at Camp Wildwood in San Jacinto, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The program aims to develop youth leaders in American life.

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