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Proving [nnocence torlno a006 Name for the Times Jessica Sanders followed Q~ 9 Utah's natural monument her instincts to make a to railroad workers gets a documentary about the respectful name. wrongfullyly convicted. PAGE 3 , ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 9
A Street for Mine sinceI929PACIFIC CITIZEN Artist Mine Okubo is honored posthumously., The National Publication of the Japanese American Citizens League PAGES #3052/ Vol. 142, No.4 ISSN: 0030-8579 MAR. 3-16, 2006 Notice: Japantown for Sale With two malls, two hotels, that several properties in Japantown 11,000 signatures, some from as far and a theatre up for sale in are up for sale - including two away as England. San Francisco's Japantown, malls, two hotels, and a theatre - "We're losing three-quarters of many worry about the his• Kitashima, a 22-year-old San Japantown, it's a real eye-opener," toric area's survival. Francisco State University student, said Kitashima, who is the grandson worries about the survival of of local icon Sox Kitashima who Japantown. The timing couldn't be recently passed away. "If [my By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM more ironic: this year Japantown is grandmother] was still here, she Executive Editor celebrating its 100th year anniver• would do practically the same When Aaron Kitashima thinks of sary. thing." "We're trying to preserve the her• "home" he doesn't talk about a Refusing to sit back and stay silent, Kitashima has launched a itage and culture of Japantown for house or the city where he lives. For The AMC Kabuki Theatre and the Radisson Miyako Hotel are some petition drive to protest the sale of all Japanese Americans," he added. Kitashima, home is San Francisco's of the properties currently up for sale in San Francisco's Japantown. Japantown, an historic area where the properties and "possible destruc• "We need to make sure the later he grew up and where his family has tion of San Francisco's Japantown" generations remember the history of the company to sell its properties in Theatre, the home of several events deep roots in the local Japanese (http://www.PetitionOnline.com/jto Japantown." Japantown which include the including the San Francisco American community. wn/petition.html.), one of only three In late December Kintetsu of Miyako and Kintetsu Malls, and the International Asian American Film With the recent announcement Japantowns left in the country. So America Corporation announced Miyako Hotel and the Miyako Inn far the petition has collected over that fmancial difficulties had forced Best Western. The AMC Kabuki See JAPANTOWNlPage 12 Groups Hope to Raise Preservation Tule Lake, Granadal Maritime Museum Criticized lor Funds lor Historic Harada House Amache Are One-Sided Telling 01 WWII History The Harada House, badly ernment and its anti-Asian Alien Officially Named damaged in the recent rains, Land Laws of the time. Although National Landmarks is the historic site where a Jukichi, a restauranteur, as a .oneering battle .a ai st Japanese immigrant could not own By P.e. Staff and Associated Press racist Alien Land Laws took land, he bequeathed the Riverside place. home to three of his'children, U.S.• Part of Tule Lake Segregation born citizens. Center and the Granada!Amache Jukichi's actions in 1915 would Relocation Center have been offi• By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM encounter the wrath of his White cially designated a National Executive Editor neighbors and would eventually Historical Landmark. land him in court in the landmark U.S. Secretary of the Interior Naomi Harada can still remember The USS Yorktown and a poster of the WWII film the museum plays. case California vs. Harada. The Gale A. Norton signed the designa• the change in her father Harold's case was unprecedented and in 1918 tions just days before Day of virtual enemies who looked like his voice every time he would speak ' The program includes a the Riverside County Superior Remembrance events commemo• father. He quietly ingested these about the two-story house located wartime documentary and Court would side with Jukichi, rated across the nation. The images and listened to his friends on the quiet, pepper tree-lined street flight simulator, which allowing his children ownership of National Historic Landmark desig• joke about the "enemies" until he in Riverside, Calif. encourages children to shoot nation is the highest such recogni• returned to his Atlanta, Georgia For the Harada fami• down Japanese enemies. tion for historic properties. Fewer home where the tears flowed freely. ly, the house repre• than 2,500 historic places carry the By LYNDA LIN "When he got back from the trip, sents so many mem• title. Assistant Editor it looked like he was run over by a ories; stories that Tule Lake's 42-acre landmark truck!" said Elizabeth Tanaka about span a century of For Kenji Tanaka, 9, a weekend area includes the former stockade, her son. "Kenji didn't do the simula• Japanese American field trip to a maritime museum in the motor pool and portions of the tor because he.said it's like shooting history. . South Carolina became a test of former military pOlice compound. his dad. He said 'I feel like people This is the house character. Along with his peers, he No public lands are included. The hate me.' My son was crying for where Naomi's watched a World War n documen• Granada!Amache camp currently half an hour." grandfather Jukichi tary with images of American pilots includes a system of historic road• Elizabeth couldn't believe her Harada fought for a getting ready to fight the Japanese ways and barrack foundations as ears - the Tanakas like to instill better life for his wife The historic Harada House sits on a residential and then watched his friends climb and six children, tak- street in Riverside, California. See TUlE LAKE/Page 2 into a flight simulator to shoot down See MUSEUMlPage 4 ing on a historic bat- tle with the U.S. gov- See HARADA/Page 6 Woman's Miscarriage May Point Phoenix :Qjsin&: Leadership for a New to Failures in Immigration Law genera:bon Critics say the government violated the woman's civil rights with immediate deporta• ·tion efforts. A bill being considered by ,Congress could increase these types of removals.
By LYNDA LIN , Assistant Editor
JACL National Convention . Zhenxing Jiang suffered the miscarriage, but her commu• June 21-24, 2006 nity shares in the pain and outrage. Asian Pacific American' and human rights groups are rallying for justice for the 32- Chandler, Arizona year-old Philadelphia resident who lost twin babies while government officials were trying to deport her. Jiang, who was 13 and one-half weeks pregnant, immi• Zhenxing Jiang recovers at a hospital shortly grated illegally to the United States with her husband 10 15 after her miscarriage. WEEIiS PHOTO: Jacky Tik Wong, Sing Tao Daily See IMMIGRATlONIPage 11 2 LEITERS/NATIONAL PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16,2006 COMMENTARY f' PACIAC CmZEN ~ 2005 WINNEal ~~u~Editor The Home Stretch for Minidoka #i- HEW AMERICA 'YJMEDIA By JOHN TATEISm tion. ~ Awards In Writing .A Looking for SRHS Donations Needed for JACL Executive Director Two weeks later, Bill Clinton Graduates Japanese Cemetery signed a presidential order designat• In December 2003, in the week ing' among other things, Minidoka The Japanese Ancestral Society of I am writing to ask for your between Christmas and New Year's, as protected ·land under the PACIFIC CITIZEN Portland is appealing to former help in locating the' following ·I got a call from Dan Sakura, a Antiquities Act. And that eventually 250 E. First Street, Ste. 301, . Japanese American students who Portlanders to send contributions for Sansei who worked in the Clinton authorized the National Park Service Los Angeles, CA. 90012 were interred in the Spring of the maintenance of their Japanese White House to launch an administrative study to Tel: 213/620-1767, 1942 from Santa Rosa High cemetery. This appeal is especially to in the office of plan the preservation of Minidoka 800/966-6157 School in Santa Rosa, California. those wh.o have family buried at the environmental for the future. Fax: 213/620-1768 cemetery. affairs. Dan is now with the Conservation E-mail: [email protected] SRHS is in search of these past With only a Fund as the Director of Government www.pacificcitizen.org students for the purpose of issuing Contributions may be sent Mr. few days left in Relations and still working on pre• to them the high school diplomas Kay Endo, Cemetery Fund the year, Dan serving Minidoka as a tribute to Executive Editor: that they were denied so many Treasurer, 4423 SE Railroad Caroline Y. Aoyagi-Stom had what I those who spent the war years there. years ago. AvtSalt Lake City Tribune. During "Each year, on the anniversary of "It is a part of our national histo• . "To be described as a emphasis on one negative event. that time, the Central Pacific this date, the internment is remem• ry, and it is a part of the living histo• 'Chinaman' was an insult imply• The successful campaigns Railroad met the Union Pacific bered both for the pain it caused, ries of the many families whose ing a person was unclean and could have an impact on future Railroad at Promontory Summit and the lessons that can be learned. lives are forever tied to internment unsuited for anything but per• renaming efforts. and completed the Transconti• I am certain that these lessons can camps in our country," said Inouye. forming hard manual labor for lit• "The first successful 'Jap' Road nental Railroad. propel this great nation forward "By establishing a new commis• tle wages," said UOCA founder renaming to Boondocks Road was A plaque placed near the arch toward more equal justice for all," sion, I believe our great nation will and current chair Michael Kwan instrumental in persuading the still bears the old name and pays Inouye said in a Feb. 16 statement. be able to give finality to, and com• on the organization's Web site. other two Texas counties with Jap tribute to the "strength and dura• ''Far less known, ... is the story of plete the account of federal actions UOCA submitted a name Lanes that renaming is the only bility" of its former residents .• Latin Americans of _Japanese to detain and intern civilians of change petition to the board last -",....,- ~ ~~ ' descent taken from their homes in Japanese ancestry.". . Mike Honda Named to Special School Collects Stories from WWII Camps 'Task Force on Hurricane Katrina By ASSOCIATED PRESS It began in 2002 when reading ries. teacher Renee Caminati asked her They're tiny - booklets, really. CLEVELAND-Sbme told the seventh-graders to read "Farewell to But they tell the story of how A woman sits by the story on a few rare occasions, some Manzanar." 120,000 Japanese and JAs from the debris left after the never - not in over 50 years -,not . The book tells. the true story of a West C<:>ast lived during the last half devastating effects ev~n to their children. JA family's three years at the ofWWll, how they walked 50 yards of Louisiana's But the(e is something about sev~ Manzanar Relocation Center ~ in or more to get to bathrooms, of the Hurricane Katrina. enth-graders, 12- and 13-year~lds, California. rooms they lived in, lit by one bare Congressman Mike who invite adults old enough to be The students were shocked. light bulb, of the mattresses of straw, Honda plans to their grandparents to their school, "Did this really happen?" they of the bedbugs and scorpions they introduce legislation who set up video cameras, who ask asked Carninati. slept with. to help the devastat• in sweet, matter-of-fact voices, She could have just said yes. "And our only crime was that we ed communities. "What happened?" Instead, she showed them. looked like the enemy," said Ed The stories flowed from there. Photo courtesy of BPSOS Gray-haired men and women bit their lips. Their voices broke. A few '... our only crime was that' Congressman Mike Honda, D• In February, Honda traveled to wept. Calif., is poised to introduce legisla• Houston with members of the That didn't stop them from we ·Iooked like the enemy.' . tion that will require federal pro• Congressional Black Caucus and describing the FBI agents wlJ.o Ed Ezaki grams to respond adequately to the the Congressional Hispanic Caucus showed up at their doors back in the chairman of the speakers bureau for the JACL Cleveland chapter needs of limited English proficiency to evaluate the post-Katrina relief 1940s when they were kids, and (LEP) comnlUnities in the hurricane efforts. He has also hosted a disaster hauled their dads away, of the sol• ravaged Gulf Coast. preparedness forum in his home• diers who led them to the barbed• She invited JAs who moved to Ezaki, chairman of the speakers He recently joined a special task town of San Jose. wire camps and watched over them, Cleveland from the West Coast after bureau for the JACL ·Cleveland force on Hurricane Katrina. The 'The task force will be the con• of living in toiletless shacks, impris• their internment to speak at the chapter. . Democratic Task Force on science of this Congress, it will look oned for years for one reason. Their school's Diversity Day. Now Harmon Middle School Hurricane Katrina will be dedicated at all facets of the disaster and will patents or grandparents had been More former internees came to teachers are searching for other to coordinating efforts and expertise put the people of our Gulf Coast born in Japan, the country that had the school later, one at a time, so stu• Cleveland-area internees who ,want to provide an effective recovery first. We must move past incompe• just bombed Pearl H~r. dents could sketch their portraits, to tell their stories so they can keep plan for the region. Members of the tence and inaction and work to help They weren't spies plotting to snap their Photos, videotape every the project going. task force will keep the Democratic families to rerum to their homes, Caucus and the Congress fully rebuild the region and .protect destroy America. They were word they said. It took months, but The students say, capturing the be~omes informed and aware of activity and against future disasters," said James Americans. in the end, the seventh-graders stories more important initiatives taking place. E. Clyburn, D-South Carolina, That didn't seem to matter. When wrote biographies of each survivor. every day. ''I'm eager to serve on this special House Democratic caucus chair• they walked out of the camps, the While they wrote, Caminati Tom Fujimoto, the subject of one task force -and begin to make con• man. shame and guilt that had built up in applied for a grant and the 'Martha of the books, died last year. structive progress toward. helping "Right now, Congress needs to the two or three years they were Holden Jennings Foundation came And Hank Tanaka, the subject of our fellow Americans recover from take the lessons learned from this . there, became the invisible gags through with $4,000 to turn the sto• another and former president of the the devastation brought by catastrophe and make the necessary many of them wore for decades. ries into books. The first five rolled national JACL, is on oxygen in an Hurricane Katrina," Honda said, statutory and regulatory changes That's why the seventh-grade off the presses in 2003. assisted-living center because of who has visited the Gulf Coast. " ... before the next disaster strikes - be project at Harmon Middle School in The students published eight pulmonary fibrosis. I have seen first-hand how the fed• it an act of God or an act of man," Aurora is so important. more the following year and a few "We're in our mid-80s," Tanaka eral government continues to fail in said Rep. Gene Taylor, D• They call it "Honor for All-The others the two years after that. So said, "and in 10 years, many of us its responsibility to help the most Mississippi, who will chair the task Japanese American Experience." far, the students have written 17 sto- will be gone." • vulnerable communities." ' force . • 4 NATIONAL NEWS PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006
··A····· · s' v.:-. " ~' ~ . ~ "" . ~ ., in the National Newsbytes News By Poe. Staff and Associated Press By Pacific Citizen Staff Carolla Apologizes for Offensive On-Air Remarks LOS ANGELES-Adam Carolla, the radio host'who was criticized for his anti-Asian com• Inada Named Oregon Poet Laureate ments, made an on-air apology Feb. 22 for a "Ching Chong" skit mocking Lawson Fusao Inada, a famed poet whose "Before the War" the Asian Excellence Awards. became one of the first books of poetry by an Asian American to "A quick order of business to take care of. An apology to the Asian com• be released by a New York publisher, was recently named the poet munity. We did a bit a few weeks back that offended many people. It was laureate of Oregon. - _ unintended to offend these people. We do a show here that is a little irrev• Inada, 66, was born in Fresno, where his father was a dentist. erent and sometimes we cross the line and we definitely crossed it tliis time. His intemment experience is the subject of many of his best• And it was not meant to offend. It did. And for that we sincerely apologize known poems. Inada has taught at Southern Oregon University to the good people of the Asian community. So we apologize and we thank since 1966. His appointment as poet laureate is a two-year tenn you for your support," said Carolla. that pays $10,000 a year with an additional annual grant of up to $10,000 for program activities. 'Banzai' Returns to TV G4 He is the fifth person to hold the position and the first since LOS ANGELES-"Banzai," the game show that APA groups heavily protested in 2003 will William Stafford resigned in 1989. be a part of G4 TV's program line-up starting in March. Hosted by "Mr. Banzai," the show spoofs game shows and was criticized for being racist. FOX Television pulled the show after protests Pioneering Ethnic Studies Scholar to Reteive Honorary mounted. Doctorate from Whitman The show is set to premiere Mar. 7 at midnight, according to tlle G4 Web site. The television Ron Takaki, a pioneering scholar in the field of American ethnic studies, has been chosen as network did not inlmediately respond to requests for comment G4 specializes in video games the keynote speaker for Whitman College commencement ceremonies May 21. He will receive targeting males 18-34. It reaches 54 million homes nationwide. an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the commencement ceremonies. Takaki, a professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, has taught more City May Rename Street for Vietnamese Newspaper Publisher than 10,000 students in a 32-year career. The 'grandson of immigrant Japanese plantation work• WESTMINS1ER, Calif.-The family of the founder of the nation's longest-running ers in Hawaii, he is the author of 11 books, including " "Strangers from a Different Shore: A Vietnamese-language newspaper is asking city officials to stop discussions about nanling a street History of Asian Americans." after the ailing icon. A proposal to rename Moran Street in honor of Yen Do, the founding publisher of Nguoi Viet Post Office Renamed for Late Congressman Daily News, has backfired, creating a rift among some of Nguoi Viets competitors that work A Temecula, Calif. post office on Feb. 21 was renamed after fonner Congressman Dalip Singh along Moran Street and prompting debate about the pioneer's contribution to the community. Saund, the first Asian Pacific American in Congress. . . The idea of renanling the street began last year when some in the community felt it was time Born in a small village in India, Saund came to the United States at age 20 to study at UC to honor a Vietnamese American in the city. Do founded Nguoi Viet in 1978 to infonn the devel• Berkeley, where he earned a Master's degree and a PhD in mathematics. He became a citizen in oping Vietnamese community about news in its homeland an,d how to navigate life in the United 1949 and was elected to Congress in 1956, where he served three terms in a district that was in States. It has since grown into a daily institution in Little Saigon, home to the nation's largest con• both Riverside and Imperial counties. It was during the campaign for his fourth tenn that he suf• centration of Vietnamese Americans. fered a stroke. He died in 1973 .• Do retired laSt year because of diabetes and complications from kidney disease.• MUSEUM in the program to include other aspects (Continued from page 1} Blue Shield of Galifomia of history. ~¢mbe{dfth¢ cultural pride in their children with The film, "The An Independent Blue Shield Association annual trips to Japan to visit family Fighting Lady," is a' members and balance after school 1945 Academy Award activities like origami with the Boy winning documentary Scouts, the reason why Kenji visited about tlle . USS Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Yorktown directed by Museum Feb. 3-5. He wanted to William Wyler, who earn his merit badges for aviation made the film while and citizenship. serving as a lieutenant The museum is touted as one of colonel in the armed the most popular attractions in the . forces. The museum Carolinas and features a collection has been screening the of WWll warships and aircrafts. Its film for the past 25 centerpieces are the USS Yorktown, years, and occasionally PHOTO COURTESY KENICHI TANAKA a highly decorated warship, and the interchanges it with the The Tanaka family (back, I-r): Elizabeth, Destroyer Laffey, which was hit by 1970 film 'Tora! Tora! Kenichi; (seated, I-r): Yoko and Kenji. five Japanese kamikazes during Tora!" which was shot wartime combat. Both are now aboard the ship, said Burnette. flag undulating in the wind, said docked side-by-side in the still Although he doesn't remember Kenichi. An audio recording encour• water of Charleston Harbor and host the word, "Jap" being used in 'The aged riders to shoot ''the enemy." many educational programs and Fighting Lady," he said it wouldn't There are five programs used in seminars each year. be a surprise because the documen• the simulator, one of which is the But now the museum is drawing tary reflects America of the 19408 WWll scout mission which gives the criticism for what critics are calling and the language of the time. impression of launching off of a bat• a one-sided account of history. "Even if the particular fIlm tlley tle ship and getting attacked by a "I understand it's about patriot• show is an award winnir!g documen• Japanese fleet, said Betty Floyd, the ism," said Kenichi Tanaka, a first tary, it doesn't excuse the use of a museum's flight simulator supen- i• generation Japanese American who [llm that uses racially objectionable sor. accompanied son Kenji to Patriots language in today's world. "It's a warship. You can't alter his• Point as a chaperone. "I think it's Essentially, they rationalize tlleir tory," Floyd said. okay to show [the film and flight own racism and racist views, and But Tateishi said there is a hidden simulator] to adults- but children what's particularly botllersome danger in telling history this way. who are in tlle flfth and sixth about it is that thousands of. kids 'Their brand of racism is disgust• grades? They don't have the same have gone through that museum and ing but dangerous because they hide level of comprehension. It's not have learned, perhaps innocently on behind tlle label of telling the truth .0 . good exPosure. their part, to view anyone who's promote their racist views," he s;..i,l. 'There was no explanation that Japanese in derogatory and demean• Burnette said he has otherw i ~ e this was just in World War II ... they ing terms," said JACL Executive heard no complamts from visitors just showed tlle movie and moved Director John Tateishi, who called about the program and charges ar• An affordab.l~plant deSigned for ~ the ~1 '.~ i ~ ' l ~ on," he said, -adding that the film the museum's program "outra• ents and chaperones J seemed like wartim.; prop :! g m~J n geous." sibility to fill in the b:anJo.." ana pro• "next generation" of JACL member. filled with the racial cpi-wph. "J.,p." "Growillg up in my family we vide the context of ilL-Ol "If : . g ~ l u!>e u m officials contend that would never use that type of lan• visiton. who would r til.: -~' . 't Also choose from HMO and PPC plans. they are giving students a hands-on . guage," said Elizabeth who is understand. account of true events during Caucasian. 'This is another thing to "I wouldn't agree. I tlunk It's ldle .Call the JACL Health Benefits Administrators at WWll. make people hate people." museum's] responsibility to explain "The mission of the museum is to She called the museum to com• all the fighting and shooting," said 1.800.400.6633 teach the sacrifices and-courage dur• plain about tlle film and the flight Kenichi, who added that museums ing World War II," said David simulator, a 15-seat motion simula• should be an educational place that , or visit. Burnette, Patriots Point executive tor that gives rid~rs the sense of also teaches peaceful alternatives. www.jaclhealth.org director. 'The point here is to leam a being on a combat mission. Kenji 'The flight simulator was not edu• Blue Shield little about World War II and we did not volunteer to go on the ride, cational," he said .• of California An Ir.deper:dent lv1err.ber J a ff .al~ Afr.eeSf! r it:m ~ fought the Japanese." which showed a Japanese pilot get• For more information: http://patri• of the BluE' stltE'!d A\~c(:.:t;:on Citlzen's league He said there is not enough time ting into a plane with the Japanese otspoint.org/ PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16,2006 NATIONAL/COMMUNITY 5 College Names Street After JA Artist, Alumnae A California college that Mine . World War II. Since Okubo once attended honored the . cameras and photo- . • TED NAMBA • Japanese American artist posthu- graphs were not per• mously in a three-part celebration mitted in the camp, 'Havin' Fun' at the ·· Feb. 22, which included a street- Okubo began to renaming ceremony, reception and sketch, draw and Welcome Mixer -- the debut of a new play based on paint her bleak OkubO's liie. world. , ,you Ought to be Havin' steps to help get our whole group on . During the ceremonies, Riverside Her book, Fun." I'm dating the dance floor for at least a couple City College's ~CC) interior cam• "Citizen 13660," . myself with this tune of tunes. pus portion of Riverside Avenue was which contained text as it was the unofficial theme song of Rawhide will be a fun venue for renamed to honor Okubo who was and 206 drawings, my wife Michele's UCLA sorority JACLers of all ages as there are the college's 1974 alumnus of the garnered rave back in the day. We're so busy with shops to .browse through, games to year. reviews when it was being "Better Americans in a Greater play (e.g. shooting gallery), rides to A performance of "Mine: A Name published in 1946. America" that we sometimes forget enjoy (e.g. train ride, camel ride, for Herself," was also debuted. The She gained interna,; play written by Mary Curtin and tional recognition as Theresa Larkin traced the life of an illustrator whose Okubo using a performance salon work was featured set in the artist's New York apart• on covers of several ment. major national mag• Ob.'Ubo, a native of the city of azines. Riverside, graduated from RCC in Okubo passed 1935 and went on to fame as an away in Manhattan (I-f) Playwright Mary Curtain, Yoshi Okubo, . author and artist depicting her fami• February 2001 at the Mine's oider sister, and Seiko Tanaka ly's internment at Topaz during age of 88 .• Buckingham, Mine's niece at the Feb. 22 tribute. JACL Chapters Observe Day of Remembrance
to let loose and have some fun. This burro ride) and the kids can even pan is the reason why we are going to for "gold." I recently met a female . kick off the JACL 2006 National judge from Japan who was visiting Convention in Chandler, Arizona Rawhide and she mentioned to me with a fun, Western style Welcome 'that when you read a "what to do in Mixer on June 21. Arizona travel book" in Japan, it Our Welcome Mixer Chair, Lisa clearly mentions Rawhide as a place Sakata, is seven months pregnant but . to visit. she is still hard at work planning a JACL friends in fun event where JACLers can get California have mentioned that sev• reacquainted with old friends and eral JACLers up there are already in meet many new friends. This mixer the process of getting their Welcome will be held at Rawhide which is a Mixer outfits together. We're plan• Western Town that recently moved ning to hold a "best dressed JACL to the site of our JACL 2006 venue, cowboy and cowgirl" contest at the the beautiful Sheraton Wild Horse mixer so bring your cowboy boots, Panelists from Utah's DCR event offered candid stories of their WWII experiences. Back row (I-f): Haruko Pass Resort and Spa. ' cowboy hats, jeans and plan on Moriyasu, Jeanette Misaka, Elsie Shiramizu, Alice Hirai, and Maxine Furubayashi. Front row (I-f): Alice This mixer will feature Western enjoying a fun filled kick off event. Kasai, Mary Kawakami, and Grace Oshita. style barbeque, Western music, and If you don't have room to pack JACL chapters across the nation Kempthorne's office. For the past Through a: Woman's Eyes." The Mt. line dancing. Speaking of line danc- your cowboy hat, don't worry commemorated Day of five years, Kempthorne has hosted a Olympus, Salt Lake and Wasatch ing, several of our JACL 2006 because Lisa is working on getting a Remembrance last month. proclamation signing to recognize Front chapters screened ''Words, Convention Committee members, straw hat and bandana for everyone The Boise Valley JACL and the Feb. 19 as the anniversary of Weavings, and Songs" a film that including Peggy Matsuishi, wife of who registers for the JACL 2006 Friends of Minidoka were among 25 Executive Order 9066. highlights the careers of three Nisei our Arizona chapter president, have convention. participants in the DOR ceremony Three Utah JACL chapters spon- women during World War II. ~n brushing up on their ' dance See y~)U at convention! • held in Idaho Gov. Dirk sored "2006 Day of Remembrance: Following the film, Jeanette Misaka moderated a panel discussion featur• r---~----~------. ing seven local women who told per• sonal stories about their wartime I I experiences .• J I Name (includes Individual Events listed below) GLAS Chapter Calls for I (Please print) Last First MI Age Before 4/ 30 After 4/ 30 I Scholarship Applicants Address 0 Regular Package $225 $250 $__ I The Greater Los Angeles Singles Gty o Youth Package $115 $125 $__ Chapter is calling for applicants for (A reduced registration fee for Youth/Students who are 25 years of age or younger or I State ______currently enrolled in a college. trade school or university. Youth Package includes all of their annual Hana Uno Memorial Daytime Telephone Number . ______the events in the Regular Convention Package.) I Scholarship of $1,000. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (all included in package registration) The scholarship was established Evening Telephorie Number ______~_------I . in 1992 as a memorial to Hana Uno E·mail address o Workshops $25 $30 $_- Shepard, who before her death in $50 $60 1987 was an ardent GLAS/JACL Chapter _____-'--:- ____-'---- ______o Welcome Mixer $_- I o Awards Luncheon $50 $60 $_- member for many years and active Category 0 Delegate 0 Booster o Millennium Club o Sayonara Banquet $100 $110 $_- I in the redress movement. The annu• al scholarship is given to students to o Alternate [j I 000 Club o National Board/Staff o Youth Luncheon $50 $60 $_- I o Youth 0 1000 Club life o Masaoka Fellow become acquainted with some of the SPECIAL EVENTS (not included in Regular Package Registration) . goals of the JACL. The history of the .0 Other (Specify) o Camp Dance Dinner g Show $85 $95 $_- L .scholarship itself helps youth con• Camp Dance Show Only $25 $30 nect with their historical past. Mail Check and this foan lQgether to; JACL 2006 - Registration o $- I To qualify, applicants must be col• P.O. Box 3455 o GolfToumament $75 $85 $- (Join the Al. Nikkei ~olf Club at the Whirlwind Golf Course on June 25. 2006) I lege bound seniors with a good aca• Phoenix, AZ 85030-3455 demic achievement record from sin• . or- Convention Package $ I gle-parent families. The student To pay by charge card, fill out credit card information below Individual Events $ I should be of Japanese descent and a and mail to above address: resident of L.A. or Orange County. Special Events $ (Print legibly) Application forms are made through I the studen~' high school college Cardholder's Name Total $ MasterCard or Visa (circle one) ~Km~~~WM~~1 counselors. If their school has not I received application forms, the Account Number ~~~~~~~~~a~~~mM~N~~~t~ma~~~bY~~~Y~3O'~,~2~~~~~~~1 counselor should request them from Expiration Date ___ the scholarship chairperson. ------~------HOTEL INFORMATION: I To qualify for review by the Signature _ Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa I GLAS Scholarship Committee, N~~: Registration will not be pfOl:essed without .accompanying payment ('Chetk' (800)'325-3535 applications must be postinarked by or cbarge card). This form is tor .convention registration only and NOT {or hotel May 8, or faxed by that date to the $95/night, mention JACL National Convention te$VIIlftio!)s. which shouLi be made directly with the Sheraton Wild Horse P\'I$S I scholarship chairperson at 310/559- Spa arid Rellort at Gila River, PhoeniX, Arizona. If you are registering tor more R.S;V.P by May 31 I 4024. Please call 310/839-1194 for than one person. vl¢ase \lSe additiQna/ forms orcQpies. application forms or information . • .. '::::-=--::::-="'--::::-:::::-"-~-:::--=-~-=-""":-=--""":-=-'"":::-~-::-=--::::-=--::::-:::::-'::::-::::---::::::::: ------.. 6 NATIONAL/ COMMUNITY NEWS PACIFIC ClTIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 HARADA '''The house symbolizes the heart time after the war, much archival II including: a list of items taken to of the Harada House. (Continued from page 1) or foundation for fighting for what materials have been kept in pristine the camps, identification tags, a Mark Takano a Harada family one believes, that it is one's right to condition. After Surni's death in .1942 calendar that still hangs in the friend who Surni used to babysit, is the property. have shelter, and that right was 2000 her younger brother Harold laundry room, and Harold's inscrip• currently the president of the "My dad was passionate about questioned by the state of California worked to preserve the house. He tion: "Evacuated on May 23, 1942 Riverside Community College the House becoming public domain, in 1913, and my iinmigrant grandfa• passed away in 2003. Sat." Board of Trustees and is helping to something that could be shared and ther, Jukichi Harada, fought for that "It's like King Tht's tomb. Surni Family. friend Jess Stebler looked raise funds for the Harada House. from which one could learn from. for the sake of his children," said He recently went on a trip to Wash., He often told stories about his fami• Naomi. '''The house also symbolizes D.C. with other College Board ly, he was a great story-teller," said our protection of those rights by the members to ·push for federal funds Naomi, a nurse who lives in Los United States Constitution. Our for the house. Angeles. "My family deeply society needs continual reminding "I think this story is quite believes that the story of the house, of this. Physical structures such as poignant. Property rights is a funda• the very fact that it still exists, needs the Harada House can serve as a mental right as a people," said to be shared with others. What hap• learning tool." Takano, 45. '''This story is worthy of pened to Japanese Americans need Today, the saltbox cottage house preserving, teaching it to our future not happen to anyone else." is almost exactly the same as when generations." The Harada House was designat• it was built in the 1880s and is in . Members of the Riverside JACL ed a National Historic Landmark in dire need of repair, especially after chapter have asked their members to 1990 and in 2004 the home was the recent rainstorms in Southern help in the current fundraising donated to. the Riverside California. A new roof needs to be efforts and to write letters to Metropolitan Museum for preserva• . installed and the chimneys are in Congressman Calvert seeking his tion. Currently the museum is work• such bad condition they had to be support. They hope the work Surni ing on a long-range plan to raise removed. The foundation of the HARADA FAMILY-Rear (I-I) : Mine, Mrs. Masa Atsu Harada, Masa and Harold did to preserve the funds for the historic house's preser• house is crumbling and recently Atsu and son Calvin, Sumi, Clark; front (I-I): Yoshizo, mother Ken, Harada family'S history will be vation and to ensure the story of the support pylons were installed tem• Harold, and father Jukichi. remembered. Harada family is not forgotten. porarily. Plaster throughout the · '''The chapter. has always been '''The importance of the site, its house is also crumbling and the saved everything," said Voorheis. after the Harada's house during the around the house. When Surni lived significance puts me in awe. The museum is working hard to stabilize "It shows the continual experience war and his correspondence with the there, she was the center of commu• multilayer stories of the site are phe• the structure. of Japanese American history in the family has also been preserved. Also nications for what went on in the nomenal," said. Lynn Voorheis, the . The Harada House is a literal time United States. It expands the entire amongst the collection are Harold's chapter. But more importantly, that Museum's curator of historic struc• capsule, a treasure trove of informa• 20th century." items from his time serving in the small historical marker in front . of tures and collections. '''The story is tion on the Harada family and the Many of the dOCuments from historic 442nd Regimental Combat the house represents a major hurdle so much larger them the Japanese history of the JA community. Jukichi's historic court battles have Team, including his uniform and let• that was jumped by their family," American story. It is a story about Thanks largely to the efforts of. been collected. The Harada family ters. said Riverside chapter member what it means to be an American, an Jukichi's daughter Surni, the only also documented their forced incar• Today, the only indication of the Doug Urata. The Haradas ''were immigrant in this country." Harada to return to Riverside full- ceration in Topaz during World War house's significance is a small pioneers in getting past the limita• 'plaque dedicated shortly after the tions that the government put on Harada House was declared a Asians." NdAVC Announces New Study on National Historic Site. The museum Naomi and the Harada family are the WWII Occupation of dapan hopes to eventually develop the site excited about the preservation further and perhaps have a perma• efforts currently underway and are The National Japanese American planning had been done in contem• served in the MIS during the nent exhibition and oral histories. working with the museum in their Veterans Council (NJAVC) has plation of the occupation, and nation's war in the Pacific. So far the Riverside Museum has fundraising efforts. announced plans to sponsor a com• whether that planning became an While a part of that historical gap raised and applied for about '''There is great historic signifi- prehensive study of the role that action plan once Japan had been will be filled later this year with the $249,000 in various grants includ• . cance to the house," she said. "Not Nisei linguists played in the suc• defeated. publication of a U.S. Army study of ing FEMA, The Getty, and the simply the history but how in cessful occupation of Japan. The Focus will be directed on what the MIS role during the war, the California Cultural and Historic America's past there have been study would fill a major gap in the responsibilities were given· to the NJAVC noted that the Army does Endowment. They've also asked attempts to take away the rights of JA military history during World MISers, and their success in acc0"1- not plan to conduct a study of the Congressman Ken Calvert, R• its citizens. From a historical preser• War II and its aftermath. plishing their mission. Over all, the occupation. Corona, to push for $500,000 in fed• vationist's point of view it is a gold As the study requires both funds study will examine the ways in The NJAVC plans to include rec• eral funds to help in the preservation mine." . and immediate action, the NJAVC which MiSers helped to achieve a ollections of surviving MIS person• plans to initiate a campaign to raise successful occupation and, thereby, nel and the Japanese. funds needed to conduct archival aided in the emergence of Japan as a All veterans, particularly those KOKUSAI-PACIFICA and field research, particularly to major world economy. who served in the occupation, and interview Military Intelligence The study could provide insight others interested in seeing this vital 2006 TOURS Service (MIS) veterans and their on how negative feelings of occupa• part of JA military record memorial• counterparts in Japan. tion can be overcome through a pro• ized as part of WWII history are The study will preserve a com• gram of communication and cultur• being urged to send their contribu• Mar. 27 Spring Cherry Blossom - 11 Day - 24 Meals - $3395 - Tokyo - Takayama - Nara - Kobe - Okayama - Takahashi - Hiroshima - Inland prehensive account of how JA lin• al awareness. The study could take tions to the: National Japanese Sea - Shodo Island - Kyoto. ALMOST SOLD OUT guists helped to bridge the language at least two years. American Veterans Council, Japan Apr. 17 New Japan Tour - 11 Day - 26 Meals - $3695 - Fukuoka - Arita - and culture barriers that had existed Although records of JA service in Occupation Study; P.O. Box 391, Hirado Island-Amakusa Islands-Kumamoto-Kurume-Moji-Osaka-' between the occupiers and the occu• the European theater has been well Vienna, Virginia 22183, 5307-L Kushimoto-Nagoya-Lake Kawaguchi-Hakone-Shimoda-Tokyo. pied. The study will also examine publicized, relatively little has been Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, Apr. 26 NEW DATES! Orient Deluxe with Cruise - 12 Day - 22 Meals - archival records to establish what written about the Nisei who had Hawaii, 06821. • $3695 - Hong Kong - Singapore- 3 day cruise to Malaysia & Thailand - Bangkok. May 15 NEW DATES! Copper Canyon Adventure - 9 Day - 19 Meals - Gilroy, San Benito County and Watsonville• $1895 Tucson, AZ, Mexico, San Carlos-EI Fuerte-Copper Canyon- Creel-Chihuahua-EI Paso, TX. Santa Cruz Chapters Hold Tri-Installation Dinner June 6 America Once More ''Southwest'' 8 Day-14 Meals-$1695-Mesquite Zion & Bryce-Monument Valley-Durango-Santa Fe-Sedona-Laughlin June 19 Summer in Hokkaido - 11 Day - 26 Meals - $3695 - Sapporo - Sounkyo Gorge - Saroma - Shiretoko Peninsula - Lake District - Kushiro - Sahoro -Shiraoi - Lake Toya - Hakodate - Lake Shikotsu. July 3 Summer Japan Classic ''Family Tour" 10 Day - 21 Meals - $3095 Child 11 & under $2795 - Tokyo - Takayama - Nara - Kobe - Hiroshima - Inland Sea - Shodo Island - Kyoto. July 18 Glacier National Park & Rockies - 7 Day - 12 Meals - $1995 - Calgary -Banff Springs - Lake Louise - Columbia lcefields. Aug. 13 Eastern Canada & Niagara Falls - 9 Day - 17 Meals - $2195 - Montreal - Quebec - Ottawa - Lake Ontario -Toronto - Niagara Falls. Aug.30 Central & Eastern Europe - 12 Day - 26 Meals - $3995 - Prague- 7-Day Danube River Cruise -Nuremberg - Vienna - Budapest. Sept. 22 Waterways of the Czars - 13 Day - All Meals - From $3695 - Moscow to St. Petersburg. SOLD OUT Oct. 9 HokkaidolTohoku - 11 Day - 24 Meals - $3795 Oct. 16 Uranihon "Otherside of Japan" - 11 Day - 25 Meals - $3695 Oct. 29 Fall Japan Classic - 11 Day - 24 Meals - $3450 Nov. 9 Okinawa, Kyushu & Shikoku - 12 Day - 28 Meals - $3795 Dec. 13 Radisson Tahiti Cruise - 9 Day ~ From $2694
PHOTO: MAS HASHIMOTO ''Early Bird savings - call for brochure" Three JACL chapters installed new officers in a joint dinner recently. Officers of the Gilroy, San INCLUDES - flights, hotels, sightseeing & MOST MEALS. Benito County and Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL chapters were installed at the Masonic Center in Morgan Hill. Pictured above: (I-r) Kurt Kurasaki, San Benito County JACL president; Michael KOKUSAI INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, INC. Inouy~, Hoshida, Gilroy JACL president; Ken JACL national president; and Takeshi Kaneko, 4911 Warner Ave., Suite 221, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 substituting for father Paul Kaneko, president of the Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL. • 714/840-0455 - FAX 714/840-0457 [1006444-10] PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 SPORTS 7 Advertise in the tcrlnc a006 Pacific Citizen ctseY Call 800/966-6157 SPEEDSKATING Swimming in the VACATION SPECIAL Another Win lor the Goateed American, Plus a Bronze American; A Memoir Golf Catalina By PAUL NEWBERRY and Selected Vacation Special AP National Writer Writings 1 bed/1 bath, fully equipped TURIN, Italy -A perfect race by Hiroshi Kashiwagi condo, sleeps 4, pool, jacuzzi, includes free use of golf cart. from start to ftnish for Apolo Anton (Winner of Before Condo near beautiful Catalina Ohno. . Columbus/American Book golf course. JACL discount $160 He made this another Olympics Award/2005) per night. 2 night minimum stay. to remember on the ftnal night of . Order autographed copy from C-51 Matsumoto the author at: short track speedskating Feb. 25, 4314 Pacheco Street FOR RESERVATIONS: winning his second Olympic gold Hunt & Associates San Francisco, CA 94116 medal- and even crossing the line Mr. Hunt 310-510-2721 $18 first for a change. Unlike his disputed victory in Salt Lake City,.Ohno didn't have to wait We specialize in seilling and buying · for the judges to disqualify the LAND I PROPERTIES skater in front of him. Sensing victory was his in the In Japan 500-meter race, he threw up his anns and sc~ed, "Yesssss!" A Free Consultation, CAli (310) 477-6766 or look of pure joy and relief spread Send email [email protected] over his face. 'To lead from start to finish does• KOA Real Estate Institute, Hiroshima n't happen very often," he said_ "For Established 1976, Licensed, Bonded and Insured me, it was the perfect race." LA Liason Office Ron Hasegawa Well, this being short track, noth• ing is ever quite perfect. Ohno got to the final on a disqual• Kosakura Tours & Travel Presents: iftcation, moving up when a Apolo Anton Ohno crosses the finish line to win the gold medal Chinese skater was called for ahead of Canada's Francois-Louis Tremblay (211) and Eric Escorted Tours & Cruises for 2006 impeding. Bedard (208) in the Men's 500 meter final in Short Track Mar. 30 Japan - Cherry Blossoms & Fuji-san Then, after two false starts by Speed Skating. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Apr. 26 Korea Highlights - Including Cheju Island plus K. Drama other skaters in the final, Ohno fIlming sights either got the ultimate start - or got May 11 Japan - Along the Japan Sea away with one. Television replays cro.ssed the line in the 500, as if he the fourth U.S. Wmter Olympian to June 17 Salt Lake & National Parks - Including YeDowstone, Tetons, showed him tilting fOIWard ahead of couldn't believe he had another win that many in a single games, MLRushmore everyone else, and getting to the gold. He leaped into the anns of a joining long-track speedskaters Eric July 5 Alaska Cruise and Land Tour on Coral Princess crucial first turn with a clear lead. . U.S. coach and grabbed a U.S. flag Hei~en, Sheila Young and Chad July 17 - Japan - Highlights of Japan for the victory lap. American fans Hedrick. Aug. 11 Treasures of the Rhine River - a river boat cruise through The soul-patched American was• Germany n't done_ In the final race of the rocked the arena, just as they did Though only 23, Ohno hasn't Sept. 2 Tahiti Cruise on the ''Paul Gauguin" evening, the 5,000 meter relay, he when he thrilled them by winning decided whether to return for anoth• Sept. 21 Japan - Hokkaido and Tohoku surged past the Italians on the next• gold and silver in Salt Lake City. er Olympics. Oct. 5 New England - FaD Foliage to-last lap to grab the bronze medal "So much emotion, so much pas• "I've got to figure out what the Oct. 16 Autumn Highlights of Japan - the first U.S. medal in that event sion, everything was moving next part of my journey is going to Oct. 28 Greek Isles Cruise on the Golden Princess since 1994. through my body," he said_ be," he said. "I'm just enjoying the Nov. 9 Japan - Shikoku & Kyushu Ohno's eyes widened when he 1bree new medals make him just moment right now." • Dec. 1 Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs (Including Nile River Cruise & Jordan) FIGURE SKATING Kosakura Tours and Travel 4415 Cowell Road, Suite 110, Concord, CA 94518 Arakawa Wins Women's Gold, Cohen Gets Silver J
8 VOICES! COMMUNITY PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 Intercollegiate Nikkei Council Announces Revisions, Youth Conlerence 1'he Intercollegiate Nikkei played Japanese AJnerican basket• Council (INC), a coalition of ball, and went to Japanese language • YUMI SAKUGAWA • Japanese AJnerican college groups school," said Craig Ishii, outreach MEMOIRS OF A NON-GEISHA across Southern California, plans to coordinator for Revisions. "One of host its biannual youth cooferen~e, our priorities is letting high school Revisions, May 13 at the Japanese students know that there are organi• Stil~ AJnerican National Museum. zations on different college campus• Twenty Years, an'd We're Going Strong The . conference will address es that foster this same sense· of f someone asked you, a busy issues affecting a new generation of Japanese American community." I college student, to spend sever• Nikkei youth. Ultimately, Revisions hopes to al consecutive weekends con• The . conference will consist of highlight and unite an increasingly structing and painting elaborate workshops with topics as diverse as diverse JA community. backdrops for a scene that only lasts JA activism in the community, lead• ''We are Yonsei, we are Shin• 15 minutes, or for several months, ership, empowerment, and Taiko Nisei, we are Hapa, we are immi• without pay, to disable your social drumming. grants," said Megurni Tomatsu, and academic life to plan logistics "What's unique about Revisions is president of the UCLA Nikkei for an evening event that will be that it is planned entirely for the Student Union. 'The next genera• . over in about three hours, you' youth, by the youth," said. Mickie tion of youth must be ready to work would think that most rational peo- . Okamoto, co-chair for the event. with all these communities to form a pIe would say no. "Through discussions and work• new identity for Japanese You would be surprised. shops we want to revise our view of AJnericans." • Just very recently, the Nikkei the Japanese American community Student Union at UCLA had their and begin to train leaders for the . For more information, contact twentieth Nikkei Student Union future." Craig Ishii at craig.ishii@gmail,com Cultural Night show. It is a huge Yumi (above) made a Participants will also have a or visit the Revisions Web site at event that always takes place on the cameo at the UCLA chance to network during discussion www.reivisonspleaseupdateme.com. weekend closest to February 19, Nikkei Student Union groups and activities as well as which any Japanese American Cultural Night show. The socialize during the conference's INC was formed in 1995 to unite an increasingly large number of JA should know is the anniversary of production includes odori concluding activity - a dance in the organizations on campuses across Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066. dancing, taiko and poetry plaza of the Japanese American reading (left). Cultural and Community Center. In Southern California. Active member For those of you who don't organizations include: UC Los ' addition, high school students will know, cultural night shows are elab- Angeles, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, . orate productions put on by student• learn more about the college experi• USC, UC Riverside, and UC Santa run ethnic organizations that show• endeavor ranges widely from per• modem hip hop dance, odori is ence through the eyes of JA college . Barbara. INC case various aspects of the culture sonal growth to simple stage-whor• much more subdued and subtle in students from campuses such as activities include attending the that the organization represents. In ing, it's still inspiring that ~ of the movements of the body. UCLA, USC, UCI, UCSD, and Manzanar Pilgrimage, volunteering the case of NSU, our main show• these things culminate to a single "It's insane just how intense it LMU. in LitUe Tokyo for Chibi-K and San cases are traditional odori dancing, event that gives young Nikkei and is," he said. "You watch the teacher "Many of us in the Intercollegiate Tal San during Children's Day, and taiko drumming and modem hip• other non-Nikkei interested in the do it and it looks so easy, but it's so Nikkei Council participated in Jr. planning the biannual Revisions hop dance, all interspersed within JA culture a chance to show every• much more complicated than that. .' Young Buddhist Association events, Youth Conference . an original storyline involving the body else their dedication in keep• It's like telling a story with your JA community. ing the voice of the community body, and you have to get it down This has been my third year alive. just right." .. being involved in it and my second In particular, one minor event What do you know. Being year being the scriptwriter. Every sticks in my memory. It was a cold involved with cultural night means Blue Cross of California year, I am amazed just how much Sunday moming, and I was walk• that you still get to learn something . work and time goes into something ing up to the main auditorium tired new about your own culture, and it that only lasts for a single night. and running late for an all-day does not necessarily have to come Why do we do it? rehearsal. Preoccupied with being from another JA. Little things like Good question. sleep-deprived and overly stressed, that keep me going . • Being involved with an NSU I caught the eye of a fellow cultural Yumi Sakugawa is currently a Cultural Night production means night performer walking beside me student at UCLA. that for the majority of your winter whom I've seen around but never quarter, your entire life revolves directly talked to before. As we around Cultural Night, whether it made our way up the stair steps Agree? means having odori practice every leading to the rehearsal area, we Disagree? other day, practicing your dance both began talking about how we moves in a cold parking lot late into got involved with the show in the Opinions? the night or cramming in four first place. weeks to remember lines from a 40- . An Indian AJnerican fourth year page script. In the crunch time lead• student, he said that he got into Get your voice in ing up to the actual event, it means odori dancing by a random fluke the Pa~ific Citizen! . all day rehearsals over an entire because one of his classmates weekend and ordering out a lot of involved in NSU happened to men• cheap Asian foOd during practice. tion how odori dancing is always in E-mail: While I'm sure individual rea• dire shortage of men. Unlike the pc@p~cificcitizen.org sons to take on such a masochistic fast pace of taiko drumming and
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Sanders spent over a year shooting the film and fol• make a social statement with her work. It is the highest lowing the exonerees, chosen to represent diversity in goal one can try in the world they know. She gave me a _ geography, social economic background, family and boost in my own 'platfonn to do the same in my life as recovery situations. being part of the film 'After Innocence, ".' said Nicholas "All of the subjects are strikingly articulate," said Yarris, a fonner Pennsylvania death row prisoner who Sanders, who wrote, directed and produced the award• was released after spending 21 years in solitary confine• winning documentary. "Maybe it's from having to be in ment. prison for so long and having all the time to reflect." In the film, Yarris talks about being allergic to fresh aif By LYNDA LIN What started out as an idea, which came to Sanders because his body had grown accustomed to recycled air. Assistant Editor while she was "already in the world of criminal justice" "Strange," he says quietly while driving in a car with the as an associate producer of a 2002 NBC television doc• phrase, "8,057 days" emblazoned across the back e former convicts in Jessica umentary, evolved into a compelling scrutiny of the sys• "I think Jessica represents Asian women very proudly tem. "After Innocence," Sanders' first feature-length and she continues to show the larger world that contribu- . Sanders' ftIm "After Innocence" documentary won the 2005 tions need to be made AlE Special Jury Prize at the from every group the . e not the usual suspects. They Sundarice Film Festival and world is made up of are living evidence of the shortfalls of the is currently in full theatrical with her actions not her release. '/ just thought the words. That is why I American judicial system, which erroneously "I just thought the subject subject was so have so much love for convicted and incarcerated the innocent. was so provocative - how her," added Yarris, who do you survive prison when provocative - how do is now living in 1ou're wrongfully convict- . . London, England and The list of the innocent is diverse: a police officer from Boston, a congen• 00. Then I met the people you survlve pnson expecting a child with ial Pennsylvania man who in 1985 voluntarily waited on a street comer for and they were all so posi• when you're wrongful• his wife Karen. police officers after a rape victim identified him as- the perpetrator, even a tive. There was just some• "I had to tell ~ dra• soft spoken Florida man who stoically awaited his release after 22 years. thing about them ... I knew ly convicted matic story and the The key to their release was located in the DNA left at the crime scenes. I had to do everything it story comes from the With present day scientific technology, the film focuses on seven exonera• took to make this film," said .:. / knew / had to do people in the film,:' tion cases and the evidence that set them free decades later to face a second Sanders, who had just everything it took to said Sanders. round of injustice. returned home to her native In Sanders' family, Southern California after a make this film. ' telling a good story weekend trip to Santa Fe, seems to flow in the New Mexico for her film's bloodlin.e. She comes PACIFIC CITIZEN premiere. from a "film family," National business and Professional Directory She "cgbbled" the film together by assembling a with "a lot of strong Asian women role models." Her ·group of filmmakers who were just as passionate about mother, Freida Lee Mock, worked on the documentary . Your business card in each issue for 22 issues is $15 per line, three-line minimum. Larger type (12 pt.) counts telling the stories and slowly garnered attention and "Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision," with her father Terry as two lines. Logo same as line rate as required. P.C. has made no determination that the businesses listed in this directory are licensed by proper govemment authority. . funding until Showtime Television carne aboard and Sanders. Both are multiple Academy Award winners. announced it would premiere the documentary later this "Growing up, my family had more film in the fridge· Sacramento~ Calit. Oaldand~ Calif. year. than food:' she said with a laugh. "When I made my first NAMBA LAW OFFICES Now, she says the film is being used by politicians, student film, my parents were the only ones who really filTAUWA SEED CO. sChools and civil rights groups to shed light on the little• understood the difficulties and the process." Curtis R. Namba SIN C E -1917 known plight of exonerees. She gained experience working with her parents on Personal Injury The Asian Vegetable Seed Source for "People come up to me and say, 'You've really various projects, but says there was really never any Small Business Gardeners, Retailers, Growers Request a Catalog changed my views on the justice system' ... I think it's handholding from her mentors. N [email protected] great," said Sanders, who also won an Academy Award At Sundance last year, when "After Innocence" won (916) 922-6300 P.o. Box 13220 Oakland. CA 94661-3220 ph: 510/595-1188 Ix: 510/595-1860 for her work on "Twin Towers," a 2003 short documen• the coveted jury prize, Sanders' parents teased her in a kitaseed@pacbelLnet kitazawaseed.com Greater Los Angeles . tary about two brothers during the Sept. 11th terrorist. way that is perhaps tOQ familiar to other Asian Pacific Phoenix, Ariz. attacks. Americans -:- they asked her why she didn't become a Dr. Darlyne Fujimoto,. 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10 CALENDAR PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 keynote address by USMC Captain St.; $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Bruce Yamashita; $15 for individuals, Info: Norman Wong, 916/933-7717 or $5 for children 11 and under. Info: PhitLum, 9161427-5667. Calendar 202/530-0015, 703/978-5365 or SAN FRANCISCO www.ni~o l eyamada . com /f ree Sat., Mar. 1~ Tribute, "Carrying On: National domwalk/index.html. Tribute to Japanese American Family• CHANDLEl{, Ariz. . owned Businesses;' in Celebration of June 21·24-JACL National PaciTlC Northwest J apantown's Centennial; 6:30 p.m.; Convention; Sheraton Wild Horse Pass PORTLAND Radisson Miyako Hotel, 1625 Post St.; Resort. ,lnfo: www.azjacl.org. Sun., Mar. S-Book reading, ''The $150 per person; RSVP by Mar. 10; SAN FRANCISCO Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in honoring the Henri and Tomoye Mon" Oct. 2-3rd Annual National the Life of a Japanese American Takahashi Charitable Foundation, JACL Golf Tournament, "Swing for Family"; 1:30 p.m.; Oregon Nikkei California Flower Market, Steve Justice"; Harding Park Golf Course, 99 Legacy Center, 121 NW 2nd Ave.; Okamoto, Barbara Marurnoto-Koons Harding Road; sponsorships are avail• Lauren Kessler will read from the and Allen Okamoto of the Okamoto able; field is limited to 144 spots. Info: revised edition of the book about the Family, Benkyo-do Confectioners. and Patty Wada, NCWNP JACL Regional Yasui Family of Hood River, Ore.; $3 Uoki Sakai. Info: NJAHS, 415/921- Office, 4151345-1075. donation; the book will be available for 5007. purchase, $25. East Coast Through Mar. 20-Exhibit,Out of the Central Calforria WASIllNGTON, D.C. Desert: Art and Craft of the Internment; HANFORD Mar. 10·24-Citizen· 13559: The Tues.-Sat. 11-3 p.m., Sun. 12-3 p.m.; Through Mar. 6-Modern Mode: Journal of Ben Uchida, a World Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, 121 NW Kimono for Japan's New Woman; Premiere Kennedy Center Original 2nd Ave.; exhibit features a variety of Meisen kimonos from the first half of Production; John F. Kennedy Center for arts and crafts that were made by JAs the twentieth century; guest curator, the Perferming Arts Family Theater, while confined to the internment camps Sharon SadakQ., Takeda; The Ruth and 2700 F Street, NW; follows the story of during WWII. Info: 5031224-1458 or Shennan Lee Institute for Japanese Art, a young JA boy of 10 as his world www.oregonnikkei.org. 15770 Tenth Ave. Info: www.shennan• changes overnight with the signing of leeinstitute.org. EO 9066; directed by Chay Yew. Info: Northern Caiforria www.kennedy-center.org. SACRAMENTO Southern Calforria Sat., April I-8th Annual Cherry Sat., Mar. 11-23rd Annual Tsubaki GARDENA PHOTO: MICHAEL LAMONT Blossom Freedom Walk; 9:30 a.m.; Dance Club Spring Dance; 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Mar. S-Seininar of Medicare National Japanese American Memorial; Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H Prescription Drug Plan; 1-3 p.m.; Ken Ronald Banks as 'Sweeney TOdd' and Marilyn Tokuda as 'Mrs. Lovett' Nakaoka Cornmunity Center, 1700 W. in Sweeney Todd at L6s Angeles' East West Players through Mar. 19. 162nd St.; Dianne Kujubu Belli is the Administrator of Community Based Design; JANM. CHANDLER Care at Keiro Nursing Home and will Through Mar. 19--Sweeney Todd at Sun., Mar. 26-Arizona JACL speak; free; co-sponsored by the the East West Players; 8 p.m. Thurs., Chapter Picnic; 9:30-2:30 p.m.; Desert Gardena Pioneer Project, Japanese Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun.; $40 Breeze Park; fishing, food, bingo, American Bar Association, Senior for orchestra, $35 for balcony. Tickets: games, special entertainment for young Citizens' Bureau of the City of Gardena 213/625-7000 x20 or wwW.eastwest• and old. Info: Kathy Ikeda, and Asian Pacific American Legal players.org. nighChuntress17 @yahoo.com. Center. Info: Karen Uyekawa, 213/894- Fri., Mar. 31-CAUSE 13th Annual 3235. Dinner; 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner; Hawai GRANADA IllLLS . Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, 333 HONOLULU Sun., Mar. 12-"Appreciation and S. Figueroa St. Sponsorship opportuni• Sat., Mar. IS·May 5--Exhibit, Retirement Luncheon" hosted by the ties: 626/356-9838. "Mo'ili'iIi - The Life of a San Fernando Valley Japanese RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA Community; 2-4 p.m.; Japanese American Community Center; 12:30 Sun., May 7-1st Annual JACL PSW Cultural Center of Hawai 'i Community p.m.; Odyssey Restaurant, 15600 Golf Tournament; noon shotgun start; Gallery; 2454 S. Beretania St.; the Odyssey Dr.; honoring Dr. Sanbo Tijeras Creek Golf Course; sponsor• exhibit tells the history of this O'ahu Sakaguchi and Dr. Mary Oda; $30/per• ships still. available. Info: Kerry community and rekindles long-forgot• son. Ticket info: Harold Muraoka, Kaneichi, [email protected], PSW ten stories through photographs and 818/886-7633.' Office, 213/626-4471 or www.jaclp• memorabilia; . free; 'gallery hours are The U'oki Sakai Company is one of the family businesses to be LOS ANGELES sw.orglgolf.htm. Tues.-Sat. 10-4 p.m.; book cost is honored at the Mar. 18 National Japanese American Historical Through May 14-Traveling exhibi• $26.95. Info: JCCH, 808/945-7633 .• Society's tribute dinner at San Francisco's Miyako Hotel. tion, Isamu Noguchi - Sculptural Arizona Start Now! Members have full access to a complete line of mortgage loan programs with exceptional rates. . Let us help you save money and build equity through homeownership.
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National JACL Credit Union membership requirements: The members or shareholders of this credit union shall be restricted to those persons who at the time of application are members of the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) or members living under the same household of the immediate families of members of this credit union and organizations of JACL with loans to such organizations not to exceed their shares and/or depositS. -•LENDER PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 OBITUARIES/NATIONAL NEWS 11 IMMIGRATION which founded the Philadelphia amend the Immigration and Ass~i (Continued from page 1) Hoyu Chinese American Nationality Act to strengthen inlmi• In Memoriam - 2005-2006 ation where Jiang's sons, aged 4 and gration law . enforcement. years ago and had been applying for All the towns are In California except as noted. 7, attend school. Opponents argue it will penalize asylum from her native China Arakawa, George M., 87, Los Stephen, Edward and Lance. The boys are "completely trau• anyone who aids undocumented because of the country's strict one• Angeles, Jan. 21; survived by sons', Nimura, Takanori "Pro," 85, matized" and fear being taken away inlmigrants, including healthcare floyd and Baron (Ann); daughter, Pearl Holtville, Jan. 28; survived by brother, child policy. They ran a restaurant in by inlmigration officials, said Gym. workers and those who are unaware (Herb) Aguirre; brothers, Iwao (Otome), Saburo; and sisters, Mitzi Tanamachi, the city and raised two American Jiang returned to her family Feb. 15, of the person's inlmigration status. Lawrence (Agnes), Patrick (Yolanda) Akiko Tateishi and Misao (Fred) born sons. But on Feb. 7, she met . but both she and her husband have The AAU is spearheading a peti• and Saigo (Katsuko); and sisters, Mabel Masukawa. (Shinso) Tamanaha, Dora Jinohara and with Immigration and Customs Noguchi, Masahiro, ·61, Gardena, gone into hiding. tion drive directed at Pennsylvania Sueko Arakawa. Jan. 27; survived by wife, Chigusa; sons, Enforcement (ICE) officials in 'The family is feeling very vul• Senator Arlen Specter, who is chair• Arata, Hajime, 41, Los Angeles, Jan. Chris (Irma) and Seiya; 2 gc.; brother, Philadelphia for what she reportedly nerable," Gym added. man of the Senate's Committee on 27; survived by mother, Sueko; and sis• Hideaki (Mary); sister, Kyoko Noguchi; thought was a regularly scheduled ters, Kumi (Eric) Yeakey and Naomi the JudiCiary to protest the bill. mother-in-law, Teruko Takahama; and meeting, but was instead taken to (Donald) Teshima. brother-in-law, Haruiki (Consuelo) 'This is a story "We're happy to see federal legis• Ariyama, Elaine Tatsuye, 74, Jan. Takaharna. New York's John F. Kennedy lators concerned about national 12; survived by sisters, Carol Kinoshita, Okumura, Shoichi, 78, Huntington Airport to be placed on a flight to about immigrants. security and the safety of . Adeline Tom and Denise Dunn. Beach, Jan. 24; survived by wife, China. Americans. Unfortunately, this bill Calvert, Kimie Tashima, Dec. 23; But it is also a Teruko; daughters, Sherilyn (Clayton) Family members and advocates makes us less secure and puts the survived by husband, Fred; son, Phil Hirayama and Ann (John) Sadakane; say Jiang Was pushed and dragged (Erika); 3 brothers; and 4 sisters. son, Donn; 2 gc.; and mother, Chieko. story about safety of all Americans at risk," said into the backseat of the van. She Fukunaga, Yoshihiro, 76, Gardena, Sakaji, Tomoichi, 85, Santa Maria, humans - just Liu. "By further cnminalizing,. Jan. 25; survived by wife, Yuriko; sons, Jan. 28; survived by daughters, Janice said she was not given any food or inlmigrants and eroding our civil Kenny and Robert; daughter, Helen (Taka) Yokota and Naomi (Jason) Tong; water and ridiculed when she com• like you and me.' rights, several provisions of this bill (Wayne) Ackley; and 2 gc. 4 gc.; sister, Hina (Tak) Shigenaka; and plained of stomach pains. At a near• brother, Haru (Alys). will have the unintended conse• Hagiwara, Jame 0., 84, Long by hospital Jiang miscarried. Beach, Jan. 28; survived by son, Shiba, Tadao, SO, Long Beach, Jan. - TianChen Zhang quence of deCreasing cooperation Michael; daughters, Patti (Gordon) 17; survived by brother, Susurnu (Mitzi); The local community ·roared in between targeted communities and Akers and Maureen (Mark) Keckeisen; 4 sister, Mae (Ben) Shimazu; 1 gc.; 1 ggc.; protest with a Valentine's Day law enforcement, increasing hru;ass• gc.; brother, Min (Kimi) Oi and Mako and sister-in-law, Joanne Shiba. protest rally near the Liberty Bell The event. has also drawn criti• ment and racial profiling of inno• Oi; brother-in-law, Pat (Misako) Thkahashi, Thelma Toshiko, Los . 88; and a press conference where cism from APA leaders. cent Americans, and widen the vul• Hagiwara; and sister-in-law, Grace Angeles, Jan. 18; survived by sons, Allan TianChen Zhang, Jiang's brother-in• (paul) Hiyama. (Nancy) ~d Reid (Wendy); 2 gc.; sister, 'The -actions of the ICE officials nerability of wolkers to abuse and Inamura, Shigeo, 86, Los Angeles, Helen Tsutsui; and brother, Susumu law, talked openly about the tragedy. are cruel and atrocious," said New exploitation by unscrupulous Jan. 15; survived by wife, Masuye; son, (Shirley) AririJ.a. 'This is a story about inlmigrants. Yolk Councilman John C. Liu, who employers. Brian (Wendy); 2 gc.; brother, Toshio Thkahata, Alice Kimiko, 82, Los But it is also a story about hUlllaIlS (Aiko); and sister-in-law, Yoshiko (lsao) visited Jiang in the hospital. "How 'This bill is simply un• Angeles, Dec. 16; survived byson, Russ - just like you and me," said Sakurai. (Ruth); daughter, Nancy; 2 gc.; sister, can anyone just stand there and American," Liu added. Isobe Yoshiro, 76, Los Angeles, Jan. Mitzi Oji; brother-in-law, Tsutomu Zhang through a translator. mock the tearful pleas of a pregnant In the meantime, APA and civil 28; survived by companion, Teruyo Takahata; and sisters-in-law, Mitsuko ICE officials denied any wrong• woman in pain? This is beyond rights group are hoping the Jiang Churnan; son, Ichiro Takahashi; brother, Kuwamoto and Suzuko Takahata. doing and said Jiang '!Was treated belief. This is not what the United family tragedy will shed light on an Tohoru; and sister, Toshi (William) Takai, Roy Tetsuo, 87, Pacheco, Feb. with care. She had exhausted her Nishimura. States of America is about. Heads inlmigrant's plight. Bortnick said he 6: U.S. Army, MIS; survived by wife, appeals and was ordered to leave by. Kawaguchi, Tad, 74, Torrance; Mary; daughters, Sandra (Fukuji) Sugie must roll at ICE." is in the process of filing a petition Korean Conflict veteran; survived by and Debra (Michael), Cox; sons, Roy an inlmigration judge, said an ICE Although ICE said the case with ICE and the courts. to allow wife, Mary; sons, Mark and Glenn; 2 gc.; (Elaine), Neal (Virginia) and Mark spokesperson in a statement. Once would be investigated by the Office Jiang to stay in the United States brother, David (Linda); sister, Emi (Laura); and 7 gc. . she is medically cleared, an inlmi• of Professional Responsibility, with her family and become a citi• (Floyd) Yamauchi; brothers-in-law, Mas Uyeda, Glen Kazuma, 84, Canoga gration judge will determine Jiang's many critics say Jiang's case is a zen.• (Doris) and Thomas (Rose) Miyasaki; Park, Jan. 28; Korean Conflict veteran; and sister-in-law, Irene Miyasaki. survived by son, Mark; daughters, fate again. textbook example of the failures of Kido, Lawrence T., 65, Los Angeles; Cynthia (Gary) Shimozono and Tarni ICE did not respond to the Pacific . U.S. inlmigration law: DEATH NOTICE survived by wife, Jill; son, Scott; brother, (Kerry) Arnold; 5 gc.; 2 ggc.; and sister, Citizen s request for comment, but The larger issue is a bill being Edwin (Nora); sister, Gladys Wandasan; June (Johnny) Kauzlarich. Jiang's attorney Richard Bortnick considered by Congress that could SIDGEOWADA mother-in-law, Kimiko Nakashima; Watanabe, Toshiko, 85, San Dimas; said officials have agreed to post• affect all communities nationally. ANTIOCH, Calif. - Shigeo Wada, 94, brothers-in-law, Wayne (Judy) and survived by son, TImothy (Linda); 3 gc.; entered Nirvana Jan. 24 to be with his pone deportation procedures until Reginald (Joyce) Nakaoka; and sister-in• 3 ggc.; brother, George Fukuda; and sis• The Sensenorenner-King Bill adored wife, Grace. he was a long-time law, Gloria (Wayne) Sakai. ters, Furniko (Art) Furuno and Kathy Aug. 25. . (HR 4437), a bill which passed the resident of Capitola and more recently, Minamide, Yasuji, 86, Jan. 26; sur• (Tad) Katayama. The statement said Jiang did not House last December and is current- Antioch. He is survived by his brother, vived by sisters, Yaeko Inoda, Kiyoko Watanabe, 1Suruye ''Mary,'' 83, George (Kin); children, Karen Niiyama, express a need for medical attention, 1y in Senate committee, would Yoshida, Asako Minarnide, and Kimi Carson, Jan. 29; survived by sons, Barbara Wada and Michael (Deborah); but groups are decrying the govern- Minarnide. Ronald (Nalani) and Donald (Karen); grandchildren, Ross (Laurie) and Kris Nakasaki, Alan Masaru,46, Jan. 26; daughter, Elizabeth Tambara; 10 gc.; 9 ment agency's treatment of a preg-• Niiyama; great-grandchildren, surviveQ by sisters, Vivian (Robert) ggc.; 1 brother; and 3 sisters. nantwoman. Alexandra, Kyle and Sydney Niiyama Arnold, Donna (David) Dahlman and Yamayoshi, Tetsuo Tom, 89, 'The brutality of the seizure froni and Richard Wada; nephews, Ted Karen (Edward) Ikehara; and fiancee, (Barbara) Wada and Gene (Marsha) Chicago, Ill.; survived by daughter, the ICE agents have unnerved all Patricia Acuna. Patricia (Randy) Davis; 2 gc.; brother, Wada; and nieces, Patti Maruyama, Natsuhara, Shizue, 77, Orange, Jan Nobuo Yamayoshi; and sister, Itsue communities," said Helen Gym of Sandy (Tom) Kadotani, Susan (Bob) 28; survived by husband, Joe; and sons, Tsukada.• Asian Americans United, a group Moore, Lynn Wada, Gayle (Alan) Uyematsu and Teri (Abe) Mamaghani . . ~ 707 East Temple Street Japanese amencan ou're not alone. Every da)', more and more Gerald Fukui ~ cmzens LeaGUe Los Angeles, CA90012 President YAmericans are evaluating their need for long-term care. They hear about it on TV, read Ph. 2131626-0441 articles in magazines, get information off the Fax 2131617-2781 Shopping for Internet, receive offers through the mail or even have commissioned sales agents calling them. Long-Term Care With so many places 10 shop for long-term care F.D.L.#929 coverage, how dO you decide what's best for you? 911 VENICE BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 Insurance? As a JACl member, you don't have to worry. 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Call toll-free 1-800-358-3795 today. ~.ARSH AfiinityGroup~iC " Or visit ...rviceorsubury & Smith www·iaclinsurance.com 312404626887 (1/06) 12 NATIONAL NEWS PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 3-16, 2006 JAPANTOWN best way to do this is to keep the has considered sevenJl offers for the the way we view each other," said Japantowns remain in the United property in the hands of the JA com• properties and have rejected many, John Tateishi, JACL executive States." (Continued from page 1) munity. Allen M. Okamoto, a promi• including pensions fund offers struc• director. "JAs are not going to forget Jofuku believes the current prop• Festival, is also up for sale. AMC nent realtor in San Francisco, is cur• tured much like the community's this if this turns out badly for us. Our erty sales are a reality check for the ,Entertainment recently merged with rently working on a deal to buy the recent offer, he said. Since the com• concern is preserving the community and shed a harsh light on Loews Cineplex and due to an anti- ' Kintetsu properties. The deal would munity offer will be comprised of 95 Nihonmachis that are left." the current economic realities of the trust agreement the State Attorney involve a pooling of pension funds percent pension funds and only 5 But Tamakibelieves Kintetsu has area. General's office has forced AMC to which would mature in 5 to 7 years percent local ownership monies, in 5 been open with the community. In "I think it's good that people sell the Japantown theater. at which time a new buyer from the to 7 years a new buyer will need to addition to disclosing the property heard everything today but I don't be found. ' a ~ concert Kintetsu is hoping to finalize the JA community would be sought. sales, Kintetsu is making think it's going to change anything," sales of its properties by the end of But the offer may be too little too "It's not good for J-Town to face ed effort to find buyers who are she said. ''We need to take a good March and the AMC is aiming for late since Okamoto admits it is still another sale in five years. A pension interested in holding the properties look at what this means ... every• "a work in progress" and the short the middle of April. When the sales long-term and have rejected any thing can't stay the same forever. are finalized, Japantown will see a time frame set by Kintetsu to sell the buyers who want to flip the proper• Kintetsu has been bleeding red for change in ownership in three• properties leaves him "caught ty. years - they have to sell." between a rock and a hard place." fourths of the area. "[Kintetsu] is being sensitive to In the early 1900s and 1920s JAs The sale of the Kintetsu proper• They are also working in the dark the community and they are work• numbered around 4,000 to 5,000 in since Kintetsu has not revealed an ties has so riled the local Japanese ing with the city. They are not going Japantown where many community American community that a meet• asking price for the properties. to turn it into a Walmart," said members lived, worked, and played. ing was held Feb. 21 with San Still, many believe Okamoto is Tamaki. "Change is difficult but The area has gone through a nUmber Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, going in the right direction. they want to manage the change so of changes including the World War Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and "We would like to see Kintetsu the culture and vision of Japantown II internment and redevelopment in ,consider the offer from the commu• Kintetsu representatives. Close to continues." the 1960s to make way for the Geary 200 Japantown merchants, resi• nity, to allow the community to have Makoto Yamanaka, consul gener• Expressway. Today, JAs only num• dents, and community leaders ownership in its own community," al of Japan, supports the current ber around 1,000 and many of the attended the meeting to ensure their said Paul Osaki, executive director efforts to preserve the history of area businesses are no longer JA message was clear: any new owner of JCCCNC (Japanese Cultural and Japantown. "I sincerely hope that owned. must respect the unique history and Community Center of Northern negotiations concerning the sale of a Although weekend traffic in the culture of Japantown. California). ''The community wants large portion of Japantown's com• area continues to be brisk, especial• even~ "I hope we get a good neighbor to direct its own future. If we lose the ' mercial facilities, involving ly when planned are held like ~herry that's committed to the communi• land, we're eventually· going to lose Kintetsu, community leaders, and the Blossom Festival and the ty," said Linda Jofuku, executive the community." fund candidate is not a good candi• other parties, will result in the cultUr• Asian American Film Festival, director of the Japantown Task "If we get an outside buyer and date," said Tamaki, who noted that al preservation and development of weekday traffic is slow and many Force, Inc., a non-profit organiza• they decide to unload the property, Kintetsu has some potential buyers Japantown as a vibrant landmark in businesses continue to struggle to tion that works to preserve and 15 years later we're going to go right now who he believes will this community," he said. make ends meet. develop the historic area. She noted through the same thing again," said respect the history and culture of City officials are working to And with the end of March they want to avoid what happened Patty Wada, NCWNP regional direc• Japantown. ''We risk losing them if ensure Kintetsu and any new buyer around the comer, reality is settling in 2000 to the Kintetsu owned tor. ''The best thing is to put it into we open the process again." it selects will work with the in. Many believe the pending sales Japantown Bowl when developers the community's hands. If we care Many believe the current situation Japantown community to preserve of the Kintetsu properties will playa converted the historic site into con• about the community, why not con• in Japantown is placing stress on and develop the historic area. Mayo{ vital role in determining the future dominiums even after community sider it? We're talking about the current U.S.-Japan relations, espe• Newsom and Supervisor Mirkarimi direction of San Francisco's protests. ''This ' neighborhood is future of Japantown." cially if Kintetsu, a Japanese owned have aIready come forward in sup• Japantown. important to preserve and revitalize But the community's offer has not company, does not seriously consid• port of preserving Japantown. The properties "are the core of what we have left." gotten much response from Kintetsu er an offer from the JA community. "Any future owner should be put Japantown. If that falls, it will be a "I know the properties will likely representatives. Attorney Don "If the sale leads to the demise on notice that the City will require domino effect," said Okamoto. be sold but I am expecting the own• Tamaki has been hired by Kintetsu and loss of the community. It will set the preservation of the cultural sig• "These properties represent so ers to find people who will ensure to handle the negotiations for its back U.S-Japan relations 100 nificance of Japantown," said much of Japantown, so much of our , properties. He believes the commu• the integrity of the culture and years," said Osaki. ''It's an unfortu• . Newsom in a letter to Kintetsu. ''The economic revenue," said Osaki. "Its neighborhood will remain the nity offer is "not in the best intt Don't • ~., "-,j,: -0,.•.•••. TO.- -- ., . -. National JACL Credit Union (800)944-8828