OUTLOOK Volume 51, Issue 1 Winter 2020 Issue San Jose JACL Supports Tsuru for Solidarity By Susan Yuen apanese Americans from across the country will be gathering in Washington, The mission of the Japanese D.C. on June 5-7, 2020 for a “National American Citizens League is to J secure and maintain the civil Pilgrimage to Close the Camps.” Planning is rights of Japanese Americans being led by Tsuru for Solidarity, a nonvio- and all others who are victim- lent, direct action project of Japanese Ameri- ized by injustice and bigotry. can social justice advocates. This is expected to be the largest gathering of Nikkei since World War II. IN THIS ISSUE Tsuru for Solidarity .........1 Organizers plan to bring 125,000 paper cranes, or tsuru, as expressions of solidarity 2020 Pilgrimage to with immigrant and refugee communities Tsuru for Solidarity Co-Chair Nancy Ukai shows a large Manzanar ....................1-2 that are under attack today. The cranes rep- paper crane made from 7’x7’ paper. At the march, 100 of resent the members of our community who Yu Ai Kai Mochitsuki ...... 2 these cranes will be carried on poles to represent differ- were rounded up and imprisoned in concen- ent JA communities. Halloween in J-Town ...... 3 tration camps during World War II. Annual Meeting ............. 3 To support this effort, the San Jose JACL will string together our paper cranes. If you are interested in helping with the Fold-Ins, Scholarships .................. 4 be hosting “Fold-Ins” at the Issei Memorial Building at 7pm on the 3rd Wednesday please email [email protected]. If Census 2020 ................. 4 of each month leading up to the event: you are interested in learning more about the February 19th, March 18th, April 15th, and event in Washington D.C., or would like to CAIR 25th Anniversary May 20th. We will use the time to discuss make a donation to help Tsuru for Solidarity, Dinner ............................5 local outreach efforts while we fold and please visit tsuruforsolidarity.org. Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest .........................5 2020 Officers & Board of Directors ................... 6 Membership Report ...... 6 Thank Yous ................... 7 Calendar of Events ........ 8 Join the 2020 Pilgrimage to Manzanar By Melanie Shojinaga CONTACT SAN JOSE JACL appy New Year! We are preparing for of Sunday April 26th. This is a rare chance the second annual San Jose JACL Man- to experience the Japanese American World Telephone: zanar Pilgrimage and we would love War II incarceration at Manzanar National (408)295-1250 H for you to join us! The groundbreaking trip Historic Park, the most well-preserved of the E-mail: in 2019 was extremely successful due to our 10 major concentration camps. [email protected] intergenerational and stimulating conversa- tions between the attendees, reflections from Below is a brief list of deadlines for partici- Address: pating in the pilgrimage: 565 North 5th Street former incarcerees, vulnerable small group San Jose, CA 95112 discussions, training on how to act as an ally • Friday, February 21: $50 deposit due in threatening situations, and information on • Sunday, March 1: Final cost announced Website: how to be an advocate for social justice! www.sanjosejacl.org • Friday, March 20: Final payments due This will be a 3-day journey beginning on Fri- day morning, April 24, 2020 until the evening (continued on page 2) Japanese American Citizens League San Jose Chapter Winter 2020 2020 Pilgrimage to Manzanar (continued) OUTLOOK is published on a Halloween in Japantown quarterly basis by the San Jose By Marge Tsuji The planning committee is also This scholarship will be awarded to Chapter of the Japanese American very October, San Jose Japan- excited to announce the Manzanar two young adults, ages 25 and under, Citizens League Ambassadors Scholarship! Through who are active in the JA community. town hosts a fabulous Halloween this scholarship funded by the SJ The scholarship will completely cover Happening. Chaired by Taiko’s Issei Memorial Building E Franco Imperial, the whole town goes JACL, two young adults will have the all costs of attending the pilgrimage 565 North Fifth Street unique opportunity to participate in which includes 3 days bus transpor- San Jose, CA 95112 all out to give kids and adults an excit- the pilgrimage for free, serve their tation, 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, Phone: (408)295-1250 ing, fun, and safe Halloween. Streets community, and develop their leader- Friday BBQ dinner, Saturday bento Email: [email protected] are closed off so families can stroll ship skills. This scholarship is mir- lunch, and custom designed T-shirt. Website: www.sanjosejacl.org from event to event. National JACL: www.jacl.org rored after the Florin JACL Manzanar More details about the scholarship Health Trust: www.jaclhealth.org* The San Jose JACL has participated for Ambassador Scholarship. Madison requirements can be found on the (800)400-6633 several years by hosting an Arts, Crafts Tamichi, Jenna Yonenaga, and I were JACL website. * Must be member of National JACL and Games Event at the IMB. Manned honored with the scholarship while by adult volunteers and teen CYSers, attending UC Davis and it’s how we We are excited for what 2020 has in a creative and fun time is had by all. first were introduced to the pilgrim- store! Many parents want to join in the clever age and the JACL! OFFICERS crafts and root on their kids in the Co-Presidents – Tom Oshidari games. Thanks to all the volunteers: and Sharon Uyeda Margie Cornehl, Barb Isa, Iris Lou, Secretary – Neil Kozuma Co-Treasurers – Ryan O’Carroll Wendy Miller, Tom Oshidari, Margie and Kaitlyn Thomas Oyama, Marian Suhama. Tennessee Immediate Past President – Leon Kimura Tang, Marge Tsuji, Emi Tsutsumi, Keiko Utsumi, Josh Villaneueva, Joyce Yamamoto, and Pat Yotsuya. Come BOARD MEMBERS join us next year – it’s free to all. Carl Fujita Iris Lou Tamon Norimoto Steven Nose Annual General Meeting Joyce Oyama By Neil Kozuma Sue Shigemasa Tom Shigemasa he San Jose JACL holds an Leon Kimura, Joyce Oyama, Iris Lou, • Presented scholarships to five stu- Cindy Sugino Marge Tsuji Annual General Meeting every Tamon Norimoto, Ryan O’Carroll, dents at the Scholarship Luncheon Jason Yonehiro TNovember to elect or renew Kaitlyn Thomas, Tom Oshidari, Cindy • Tom and Sharon participated board members. The board members Sugino, and Jason Yonehiro. as panelists at the University of hold staggered two-year terms to as- California Office of the President, HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD sure there are always board members Terry Oshidari volunteered to col- Oakland, UC Asian Pacific Islander Honorable Mike Honda serving the Chapter. lect and count the votes. All the Staff Association screening of “And Fmr. U.S. House of Representatives above-mentioned ballot names were Then They Came for Us” Honorable Norman Y. Mineta On November 8, 2019, in attendance reelected to another two-year term to Fmr. U.S. Secretary of Transportation at the Annual General Meeting were: serve on the San Jose JACL Board. • Co-sponsored the Fort Sill Solidar- Ray Matsumoto, Emi Tsutsumi, ity Vigil, protesting the proposed Tom Oshidari distributed the 2019 incarceration of migrant children at ADVISORY COUNCIL Margie Cornehl, Joyce Oyama, Tom Yu-Ai Kai Mochitsuki Shigemasa, Sue Shigemasa, Cindy list of activities. Highlighted activities Fort Sill, OK (SJ Mercury published By Sharon Uyeda George Hinoki Shirley Ota were: an interview with Tom Oshidari). Art Honda Wayne Tanda Sugino, Iris Lou, Terry Oshidari, Tom Oshidari, Sharon Uyeda, and Neil • Minidoka Swing Band Concert This vigil was coordinated with sim- n Saturday, December 14th, Oshidari, Marge Tsuji, and Sharon Ray Matsumoto Yoshihiro Uchida ilar vigils in San Francisco and Los Vi Onishi Steve Yamaguma Kozuma. • Pilgrimage to Manzanar. the San Jose Buddhist Church Uyeda. Due to the volume made, the Angeles Japantowns. Betsuin annex was bustling traditional pounding of the steamed • Hosted Women’s March protesters O Before the start of the meeting, the • Coordinated Suzume No Gakko with people cooking and steaming rice is now mechanically done. None- at the IMB to make posters prior to Chapter hosts a potluck dinner for Community Service Project-clean- rice, cutting mochi, flipping pieces to theless, hundreds of pounds are sold. going to City Hall The San Jose JACL Board meets on the the attendees and as usual great food ing Japantown monuments cool, weighing and packaging mochi It freezes well. I understand that Yu-Ai • Day of Remembrance - Melanie second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. was served and cheerful conversa- • Signed the Chapter on as Amici Cur- for buyers to pick-up. This annual Kai has some frozen that you can buy. Shojinaga and Madison Tamichi at the Issei Memorial Building. Meetings are tions were happening among all. iae in the case of LaDonna Kumori event sponsored by Yu-Ai Kai, brings If you are interested, please call (408) open to the public and everyone is welcome. represented SJ JACL as banner Kaku vs. City of Santa Clara (City together the community, includ- 294-2505. A lot of help is needed, so Come and help Shape San Jose JACL’s future. On the ballot this year were the bearers ing the high school youth to fulfill call Yu-Ai Kai for the date in December has not adequately addressed mi- following board members whose • Attended NCWNP District Gala, community service hours. Helping and come out to help. nority voters’ rights with its voting terms would expire unless they where Sharon was awarded a Sap- from the Chapter were Iris Lou, Tom districts) were voted-in to return to the board: phire Pin Page 2 Page 3 Japanese American Citizens League San Jose Chapter Winter 2020 CAIR 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner By Tom Oshidari n November 9th the San Jose JACL contingent of Sharon OUyeda, Tom Oshidari, Neil Ko- zuma, and Joyce and Margie Oyama were among over 1400 supporters at the Santa Clara Convention Center for the CAIR 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner.