2 JUNE 6 - 19, 2019 • NICHI BEI WEEKLY • Regional/National Symposium examines wartime scars Asian Americans push for By TOMO HIRAI carceration, the conflict and later its national director during Nichi Bei Weekly resistance inmates exhibited the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. representation at Smithsonian Institute More than three quarters of a during the war, and the post-war Tateishi spoke on the back- By KiMi ROBINSON “I can stand here tonight and century since the forced remov- activism that eventually won an ground behind the organiza- Kyodo News proclaim that I am an actor play- al and incarceration of some apology and token compensa- tion’s decision to comply with LOS ANGELES — More than ing roles casting for ‘male actor,’ 120,000 people of Japanese de- tion from the U.S. government the U.S. government’s plans 20 years after its founding as a but that wasn’t always the case,” scent in American concentra- in the 1980s. to forcibly remove people of diversity initiative, the Smithson- said the event’s emcee Harry tion camps, the Japanese Ameri- Chizu Omori, a Japanese Japanese descent from the West ian Asian Pacific American Cen- Shum Jr., an actor known for his can community still has not fully American writer and activist, Coast. ter is working to create a perma- roles in “Glee” and “Crazy Rich recovered from the trauma. served as the symposium direc- Tateishi, who joined the JACL nent Washington exhibit space Asians.” The day-long event entitled tor. Omori, who was 12 years old in 1975, said he spent years where visitors can learn about “There was a time when the “A Community Fractured: when she was incarcerated in questioning why the JACL en- the contributions Americans of script called for an Asian actor Compliance & Resistance” ex- Poston, Ariz., said she is some- dorsed the incarceration while Asia-Pacific descent have made that was portrayed by a non- plored the rifts within the Japa- times overcome with sadness working on the redress cam- to their country. Asian actor. Mickey Rooney, nese American community that or anger when she thinks about paign. Starting with the orga- Hollywood celebrities and pol- Marlon Brando, Yul Brynner formed through the incarcera- the divisions formed within the nization’s Seattle roots as the iticians representing the Asian and Katharine Hepburn all tion and the ensuing years as Japanese American community. “American Loyalty League,” Pacific American community played Asian characters in films. Nikkei sought redress. “I feel that huge damage was founded in 1929, Tateishi ex- came together May 18 in Los But with ‘Better Luck Tomor- Held May 11 at Futures With- inflicted on us,” she said. “We plained how the JACL became Angeles to support a fundraiser row’ and ‘Joy Luck Club,’ we saw out Violence in San Francisco’s still haven’t been able to process the government’s mouthpiece held to help the center expand films that had Asian Americans Presidio, the symposium ex- that damage completely.” for the Nikkei community as from a “migratory museum” that or Asians cast as not just sup- plored the Japanese American The first session focused on an English-speaking American- organizes temporary exhibits to porting actors,” said Shum. Citizens League’s compliance the “Beginnings of Resistance,” citizen-run organization. a permanent Asian Pacific Amer- “The United States Congress with the U.S. government’s with John Tateishi, head of the ican gallery within the Smithson- now has 20 members in the Con- orders during the wartime in- JACL’s redress campaign and (continued on page 10) ian Institute. gressional Asian Pacific Ameri- “So much has been invisible can Caucus, the largest in U.S. for so long and hasn’t been rec- history,” said Rep. Ted Lieu of Suspect in Sunnyvale car attack charged with hate crimes ognized,” Lisa Sasaki, the cen- Los Angeles. “There’s still great ter’s director, told Kyodo News. underrepresentation on the SUNNYVALE, Calif. (Bay that will emerge during a prelim- He had picked up food on his “The APA community is very court system as well as in the pri- City News Service) — A man inary examination. He recalled way to a bible study class when complicated and diverse, this is vate sector — law firm partners, accused of attempted murder racist attacks in Christchurch, the attack occurred. a community that speaks over CEOs – so there’s a ways to go.” after driving into a group of eight New Zealand; Pittsburgh, Penn- His family is mixed-race, a hundred different languages, More than 20 million people people in Sunnyvale last month sylvania; and Poway in San Di- mixed-religion and Muslim cel- migrated to the United States at identify as Asian American in was charged with hate crimes ego County, and addressed the ebrations have always been em- various different points of time, the United States according to a enhancements in Santa Clara Indian and Muslim communities braced in their household, family that participated in American 2017 census estimate. Five years County Superior Court on May in the Bay Area. members said. Thomas Miller, history for close to 200 years,” ago, the center became a migra- 30. “When you are attacked be- who described himself as Peo- said Sasaki, a fourth-generation tory exhibit in order to allow Isaiah Peoples, 34, allegedly cause of your race, your religion, ples’ cousin, said the hate crime Japanese American. visitors to access its programs targeted three people at an El national origin ... whatever the charges were being used to stir The center, which is seeking beyond Washington, said Sasaki. Camino Real crosswalk on April reason for the attack on you -- it’s up public frenzy in the case. to raise more than $20 million in “We started to recognize the 23 because he perceived them an attack on me, and my family, Another cousin, Michelle, said its first round of fundraising, has fact that in order to be able to tell to be Muslim or Indian, accord- and on all of us as Americans,” she’s been speaking with Peo- already acquired a recent piece diverse stories, we needed to be ing to the Santa Clara County Rosen said. ples at the jail. He was always a of Asian American history to dis- able to leave Washington, D.C. District Attorney’s Office. A Rosen said he spoke with the quiet, gentle man who “wouldn’t play in the Smithsonian: a blue and to go where the majority 13-year-old girl was hospitalized 13-year-old girl’s father on the hurt a fly,” she said, and has Marchesa gown worn by Con- of Asian Pacific American com- with major injuries after the at- morning of May 30, and though been speaking even less after be- stance Wu’s character Rachel munities exist, which is primar- tack and remains in the hospital the family is traumatized, he ing jailed. Chu during a pivotal wedding ily the West Coast and Hawai’i in critical condition. thanked the public for their The FBI was called to assist in scene in the 2018 summer block- and the Pacific,” said Sasaki. Peoples was charged with prayers. The girl’s medical con- the investigation on the day of the buster “Crazy Rich Asians,” “We want to be able to share eight counts of attempted mur- dition and that of other victims attack and is assisting the Sunny- which was hailed as the first ma- the Asian Pacific American ex- der in April, and prosecutors are currently being kept private. vale Department of Public Safety jor film in 25 years to feature an perience throughout the United on May 30 added hate crime Two of Peoples’ cousins with their investigation. Though all-Asian cast. States, which is why we think enhancements to the attempted were at the courtroom before hate crimes violate federal law, Hiroshima, a Grammy-nomi- of ourselves as a migratory mu- murder of the 13-year-old girl the hearing, and said prosecu- the case will be prosecuted lo- nated Asian American R&B jazz seum.” and her father, who are both In- tors’ depiction of the attack was cally, according to Rosen. band, was among other Asian Sasaki pointed to the 2016 dian. shocking, and at odds with ev- The details of the case are still Americans in sports and culi- opening of the National Mu- District Attorney Jeff Rosen erything they knew about their under investigation, and pros- nary arts who were honored seum of African American His- outside of court did not elabo- cousin. Peoples was a war vet- ecutors and public safety officers during the event. Various speak- tory and Culture — the Smith- rate on the details that led to eran in the U.S. Army who suf- are working to determine if a ers lauded the community’s in- sonian’s 19th museum that is hate crime charges, but said his fered from post-traumatic stress mental illness or disorder played creased visibility in media and office is confident in evidence disorder, according to the family. a role in the attack. American culture. (continued on page 10)

Little Tokyo organization to redevelop mixed-use a publication of the development project LOS ANGELES — Little a mixed-use, 100 percent afford- Sustaining Sponsor: The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation Tokyo Service Center has pur- able transit-oriented develop- MAILING ADDRESS: OFFICE ADDRESS: GENERAL INQUIRIES: [email protected] chased the former Umeya Rice ment project. The multi-story MEMBERSHIP: Cake Company site, located at residential building will consist P.O. Box 15693 1832 Buchanan Street, Suite 207 [email protected] San Francisco, CA 94115 San Francisco, CA 94115 ADVERTISING: [email protected] 414 Crocker Street. of approximately 120-150 units, OFFICE: (415) 673-1009 FAX / OFFICE: (415) 673-1063 The three-generation family- all affordable rental housing CLASSIFIEDS / OBITUARIES: [email protected] owned business closed in 2017. for low income individuals and EDITORIAL: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] “The owner’s decision to sell families, with 50 percent set the property to LTSC means aside for permanent supportive BACK ISSUES: $1.50 to $2.50, plus shipping & handling. Visit: www.nichibei.org/nichibeiweekly/backissues/ the site will remain an impor- housing. POSTMASTER Nichi Bei Weekly The Nichi Bei Weekly (USPS 004-607) is published every other Thursday, tant facet in the ever-changing “There will be approximately the first Friday in April, and January 1 by the Nichi Bei Foundation, 1832 Send address PO Box 15693 Buchanan Street, #207, San Francisco CA 94115. Application to mail at landscape of the Little Tokyo 13,000 sq. ft. of ground floor changes to: San Francisco, CA 94115 neighborhood,” LTSC said in a community, commercial, and Periodicals Postage prices paid at San Francisco CA. statement. service provider space to pro- ON THE COVER: The ninth annual Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival on June 29 will feature delicacies such as The center “will redevelop vide wraparound services for (clockwise, from top left): A tofu dish from new food vendor Aroy, yuba noodles from Hodo Foods, the 35,766 square-foot-site into housing tenants.” mochi from demonstrator Kaori Becker and a Tofu Dessert Competition entry. courtesy photos.

2 Nichi Bei Weekly | JUNE 6 - 19, 2019 10 JUNE 6 - 19, 2019 • NICHI BEI WEEKLY • For information on placing an obituary, e-mail [email protected], call (415) 673-1009 or Milestones visit www.nichibei.org/nichibeiweekly/obituary OBITUARIES Vicky Mihara Avery, origami artist and business owner, passes By TOMO HIRAI together. “She enjoyed connect- Vicky TADEMARU, HARUKO ROSE, 100, loved dogs, enjoyed Nichi Bei Weekly ing people,” her husband said. Mihara passed away peacefully on April 22, reading, and spend- .7 in Noted origami artist Vicky “Whether it was teaching or Avery 2019. Born in Baldwin Park, CA on ing time with her x 1.025 in courtesy of February 13, 1919, Haruko was vale- great-grandchildren. Mihara Avery passed away from through an event. Whether it dictorian of both her grammar school Haruko was the complications of pancreatic can- was making sure friends stayed the Mihara and high school, and featured in the beloved wife of the cer early in the morning May in touch. That’s why she has so family book Nisei Voices, which highlighted late Harry Tadema- 27, 2019. She was 62. She is sur- many damn friends.” the first Japanese American valedic- ru, loving mother of torians of California public schools. the late Roy Tade- vived by her parents Nobuo and She helped organize the in- During World War II, Haruko and maru, Helen Ideno, Eugene Tadema- Shizuko Mihara, younger sib- augural Pacific Coast Origa- her family were sent to the Amache ru and Sharon Mukoyama; cherished lings Linda and Roger Mihara, miUSA Convention, along with for me after I leave,’” her father, internment camp in Colorado, which grandmother of Katherine Ideno, husband Matthew Avery, son SaveNature.org’s annual bowling said. her children, grandchildren and David Tademaru, Karen Ideno-Chiou, Christopher James Avery and fundraiser. She was active in San Robert J. Lang, an origami art- great-grandchildren visited in 2010 Richard Tademaru, Gail Tanaka and and was written about in the Nichi Lori Mukoyama; and adored great- their two dogs. Francisco’s Japantown through ist, had recently moved down to Bei Weekly. Haruko and her late grandmother of 11. She is survived Mihara Avery, a lifelong San the Nihonmachi Street Fair, the Southern California, but attend- husband Harry Tademaru relocated by her brother Frank Fujita and many Franciscan, was born March 24, cherry blossom festival and the ed the celebration of life to say after the war to Chicago, where she nephews and nieces. 1957. She and her sister Linda Buddhist Church of San Fran- his farewell. actively volunteered at Midwest Bud- Private services were held in Los have been well-known in the cisco. “One of the hallmarks of Vicky dhist Temple until the age of 99. She Angeles, CA, and Chicago, IL. origami community. She was Mihara Avery held a degree was that no matter whatever hap- one of the first two girls to join in business administration from pened in organizations, in her FROM PAGE TWO: Asian Americans at Smithsonian the men’s swim team at George San Francisco State University. store, in her life, she maintained the only one of its kind in the museum in the nation’s capital. Washington High School, and She worked at Paper Tree, her an absolutely unflappable good country — as an example of how “But it is possible,” she said. also raced cars and won the family’s paper store in Japan- cheer and nature,” he told the long it takes for a minority group “It’s going to take all of us in or- 1983 C Street Prepared Ladies town. She also worked for the Nichi Bei Weekly via e-mail. “I in the U.S. to establish its own der to do this.” Solo II national championship in San Francisco Zoo, and owned have never seen her not smile!” Salina, Kan. Mountain Valley Paper Com- A memorial service will be A renown gift wrapper, she pany in South San Francisco and held on Saturday, June 29, 11 FROM PAGE THREE: Affordable senior housing wrapped a snowmobile during Miki’s Paper Company in Berke- a.m., at the Buddhist Church of and 31 for 50 or less. Units will growing industry that thrived the 2007 Scotch Brand Most ley, Calif. San Francisco, 1881 Pine St., in also be offered at least one pass for decades in West Contra Gifted Wrapper Contest and At her request, the family San Francisco’s Japantown. The through the AC Transit Easy Costa. was also featured on “The Mar- held a celebration of life May 25. family requests, in lieu of flow- Pass program for the first three The flower shop was operat- tha Stewart Show.” More than 100 people came. ers, a contribution be made to years. ed by the Mabuchi family, who Her family and friends, how- “Vicky said, ‘I want to meet ev- Guide Dogs for the Blind, Glau- Hana Gardens has a restored lived in an attached home in the ever, remembered her most erybody now before I go, rather coma Research Foundation, or 400-square-foot former florist rear. for her ability to bring people than you guys having a party SaveNature.org. shop, an outdoor public plaza The complex is one of sev- and Japanese Heritage Gar- eral new housing projects built, FROM PAGE TWO: Symposium examines wartime scars den with interpretive signs and under construction or planned sidewalk markers, celebrating along San Pablo Avenue in El “When the war started, the Fred Korematsu coram nobis le- groups seeking an apology. the Japanese American flower Cerrito. JACL found itself in a position of gal team in the 1980s, described At the end of the third ses- having to answer to the govern- the nuanced differences among sion, Kimiko Marr spoke briefly ment on Japanese Americans, the supreme court challenges on the continued relevance of where we were, what we were to the wartime incarceration. pilgrimages that tie in Japanese doing and — most importantly Barbara Takei, Tule Lake Com- American wartime experience to — our loyalty to this country,” mittee board member, explained modern-day issues. Tateishi said. Fearing violence how mass resistance led to the Divisions within the commu- directed at Japanese Americans, creation of the Tule Lake Segre- nity, however, ran further than Tateishi said the organization’s gation Center. some expected. Omori noted wartime leaders advocated for Finally, four speakers present- that the symposium could very compliance over defiance. Later, ed on the final session in “Post- well have taken place over a to further prove their loyalty, war, Redress and Activism.” Al- week. Grace Shimizu, director of the organization also advocated ice Yang, provost of Stevenson the Japanese Peruvian Oral His- Nisei volunteer for the military. College and associate professor tory Project, confronted Tateishi Tateishi concluded the organiza- of history at the University of over the omission of Japanese tion did its best, but still had “a California, Santa Cruz, explained Latin Americans from the Civil lot to answer for.” the foundations of the “model Liberties Act of 1988 during a Arthur Hansen, professor minority,” which were built from Q-and-A format session. Tateishi emeritus of history and Asian the belief Japanese Americans said he had asked the JACL and American studies at California had quietly gone along with the Congressional leaders to “come SIGN UP ONLINE: State University, Fullerton, took wartime incarceration. Yang back” to the JLA issue after the www.nichibei.org/subscribe a more critical perspective on noted how Sansei and Nisei activ- redress bill was passed, but the organization, speaking about ists pushed back, denoting how nothing was done. Tateishi said the JACL’s wartime role. Han- Japanese Americans had fought the JACL decided to not push for RATE/YEAR MEMBERSHIP TYPE (select ONE) sen outlined the resistance and incarceration. “In fact (activists) compensation for Japanese Latin frustrations of James Omura and argued the very silence … was Americans abducted from South $75 PREMIUM ..... Print AND Digital Edition Harry Ueno, two Nisei who vo- in fact a reflection of damage America since their inclusion in (includes digital archives) cally opposed the JACL. Hansen and suffering within the commu- the redress bill, according to the $65 PRINT ...... Print Edition ONLY particularly noted the resent- nity,” she said. Nikkei congressional leaders, ment harbored by Kibei, Nisei Following Yang, Tateishi gave could “jeopardize” the bill. $60 DIGITAL ...... Digital Edition ONLY educated in Japan, such as Ueno. a second talk on the Japanese At the conclusion of the event, please make checks payable to “Nichi Bei Foundation” Following a lunch break, the American Redress Movement Nancy Ukai of the Berkeley event resumed with its second from within the JACL while Su- chapter of the JACL and Josh PURCHASER’S INFORMATION: session, “Conflict, Protest and san Hayase detailed her perspec- Kaizuka of the Florin chapter NAME: ______Organized Resistance,” detail- tive from the National Coalition presented a draft resolution apol- ing three unique ways Japanese for Redress/Reparations. Tatei- ogizing to the resisters at Tule ADDRESS:______Americans protested their treat- shi explained how the JACL Lake “who suffered shame and CITY:______STATE:_____ZIP:______ment during the war. Takashi worked with Congress to lobby stigma during and after the war PHONE:(____)______E-MAIL:______Hoshizaki, one of the last surviv- for the apology and the conten- due to the JACL’s attitudes and ing draft resisters from Heart tious issue of debating whether treatment towards individuals Send payment to: Nichi Bei Foundation Mountain, Wyo., recounted how the apology should include a unfairly labeled ‘disloyal.’” The P.O. Box 15693, San Francisco, CA 94115 he and 62 other men refused to monetary compensation. Hay- resolution is planned to be dis- report to the draft while they and ase, meanwhile, spoke about cussed at the JACL national con- their families were incarcerated. how her organization sought to vention in Salt Lake City, Utah Robert Rusky, member of the independently unify disparate this coming August.

10 Nichi Bei Weekly | JUNE 6 - 19, 2019