MONTHLY ARTICLE (April – May)

The Manitoba JCCA recently held a successful fundraiser, Kibo, in Winnipeg, in support of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The Museum, brainchild of the late Israel Asper, founder of CanWest Global Communications Corp., has since 1993 garnered support from all three levels of government, as well as from the private sector. An announcement is now made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that the Museum will receive $100 million in construction costs, contingent on the other partners raising $165 million. Further, the Museum will be designated the status of a national institution, the first national museum to be located outside of Ottawa’s National Capital Region at the historic junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, in Winnipeg. As such the Museum will be funded for its operational costs federally. Already touted as the largest human rights centre in the world, it is expected to become a major visitors’ attraction. The National Association of Japanese Canadians sends its support and good wishes, and expects to work closely with the new Museum once established.

Some of you are already making plans to attend the 14th COPANI/APN, being held in Sao Paul, Brazil, from July 18th through 21st. The conference has as its focus in programming the nurturing of interaction between and amongst Nikkei in South, Central, and North America through cultural activities but as well through interaction between professionals, and between entrepreneurs, of these locations, many of whom conduct relations also with Japan. The last conference, held two years ago, was sponsored by the National Association of Japanese Canadians, in Vancouver, and true to its mandate, the program also included various topics of international human rights and social justice.

“The Nikkei Contribution to the Progress of Society” is the theme for this year’s opening plenary, with workshops and meetings that include seniors and youths, and professionals and businesspersons, with cultural, heritage, and historical topics. For entertainment, there is included a tour of Registro City, known as the first Japanese immigration site, and evenings are filled with special dinners, samba dancing lessons, karaoke contests, etc., and a closing ceremony of a sayonara party.

For those of us who may be taking this opportunity to visit Brazil, which has one of the largest of Nikkei communities in the world, the City of Sao Paulo itself having a population of more than a million Japanese Brazilians, this surely promises to be an eye (and mind) opening experience.

Website, www.apn.cl, will give you more information. For travel inquiries you may contact Tunibra Travel, at marina@tunibra.com.br or shiroshima@tunibra.com.br.

Note: The Executive Board of the National Association of Japanese Canadians has made a decision to tentatively set aside the dates of September 19, 20, and 21, 2008 for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Redress, with Vancouver as the host city. Representatives will be in contact with national organizations and individuals toward producing programs of celebration and future planning to occur both regionally and at the conference. For any queries or suggestions, or for volunteering, please contact national@najc.ca

MONTHLY ARTICLE (May – June)

As you are aware, the National Association of Japanese Canadians was organized originally “to seek justice for Canadians of Japanese ancestry because of their history of ethnic persecution, racial discrimination and internment, recognizing the achievement of precedent setting Redress from the Canadian Government in September 22, 1988 [Constitution].

Related to this, Section 3.2 of Article III outlines its Aims and Objectives in part as follows: “to actively work…toward the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination and related intolerances and to strive for equal rights and liberties for all persons in Canada…, undertaking research…making representations to Government officials and representatives…working in close co-operation with other organizations…”

How do we, or should we, as the National Board interpret this? The meaning of this mandate has been questioned at various intervals by NAJC members. I believe it useful to have an open discussion about this and I will initiate the process of questioning here today, perhaps not the best of space or venue, but toward if possible a final resolution at the 2008 Redress conference, where we may have opportunity to review and to deliberate on NAJC’s past accomplishments and future goals respectively.

Some members in the community believe that the NAJC as a national Japanese Canadian organization should act only on domestic issues with respect to human rights, while some others believe the wording of the Constitution indicates we should be concerned with all social justice issues which impact on all Canadians. Section 3.3 reads “to promote and encourage Japanese Canadians to work together on matters of concern to all Canadians and undertake collective action for a better Canada and a world free from racism, poverty, inequality and war.” [My italics] This is indeed a very wide open mandate.

For instance, with respect to the issues of Chinese Head Tax, or with Aboriginal Language, there seems to be no doubt we should be giving support, and we have done so. However, when those relating to support of victims of Japanese military atrocities during the Second World War are raised, our community is divided. The difference between the two is that the former is about social justice for Canadians, the latter, about a foreign government’s conduct against foreigners. What is our position as people with Japanese ancestry? Do we feel uncomfortable to speak? What is similar about the above two instances is that both are about human rights and social justice, that is, about humanity.

Canadian society is largely an immigrant society. People from all over the world have made their homes here, including some of us, for various reasons. Many come with memories of injustices committed against them still lingering at the surface of their lives. They, no longer `foreigners’ but Canadians, ask for support from Canadians of Japanese ancestry who experienced Redress and Acknowledgement from its own Government, in order that they too may move forward.

How do we address such requests? Are these issues within the mandate of the NAJC? Do we join with other Canadian ethno-cultural groups in support of such victims? Or do we act on our own? If so, how? Please engage in this discussion by sending your thoughts to national@najc.ca. Thank you.

MONTHLY ARTICLE (June – July)

On June 1st, Charlotte Chiba and I, representing the National Association of Japanese Canadians, together with Frank Moritsugu, Second World War Veteran, met with Mr. Joe Geurts, Director and C.E.O., and Dr. Dean Oliver, Director of Research and Exhibitions, of the Canadian War Museum. We were invited to personally discuss with them concerns raised regarding portrayal of Japanese Canadian history in the exhibition panel, Forced Relocation.

We had an amicable meeting and left with assurances of their genuine concern and undertaking to confirm such substantive changes as were discussed. We were warned that due to a backlog of other commitments the Museum will likely take six months before such work can begin.

It is then with great surprise and regret that we read in The Ottawa Citizen of June 23rd of Mr. Geurts’ departure from his position at the War Museum, only two weeks after our meeting. There are some speculations regarding the reason for his departure, however, we are of course most concerned that this event does not impact upon our agreements and are currently awaiting confirmation from the new (temporary) director, Mr. Mark O’Neill (and from Dr. Oliver, who had met with us.)

Space prohibits recounting all, but I will summarize key areas we raised at that meeting. Firstly, the lack of any mention of nisei who enlisted and served with the Allies’ South-East Asia Command during the Second World War. There is need to highlight the heroism of these men who served despite their families’ continued incarceration as `enemy aliens.’

What we may regard as the most important of messages in this section, I believe, is the achievement of Redress, and it should be given equal prominence to the theme of `forced relocation.’ However, its placement just below eye level, together with the small size of both print and photo reproductions, produces a post script effect to this panel. By giving such perfunctory attention to the precedent-setting historic event, of great significance to today’s world, at war and of racial profiling, the intrinsic function of education inherent in this particular section is diminished or even lost.

With reference to the Japanese naval flag projected on the floor in front of a figure of a Japanese Soldier, in the section, Atrocities in the Pacific, which received numerous public reactions that any flag should be placed on the floor to be walked upon, the Museum has now consulted flag protocol and assures us it is being removed off the floor.

Our main concern has been that the flag lying directly across from and in front of the panel, Forced Relocation, appears to create a link between the two sections, providing support to the rationale of fear proposed as the motivation for internment of Japanese Canadians. We have proposed the addition of information from the minutes of Conference on Japanese Problems, held January 8, 1942, in Ottawa, which records the RCMP, armed forces, and civil servants, as united in their advice to the Government of Canada that the Japanese Canadians were not a threat and need not be interned.

MONTHLY ARTICLE (July – August)

August is Powell Street Festival month here in Vancouver and today I find myself indulging in sharing with you my own thoughts regarding its unique contribution to our communities.

Did you know that Powell Street Festival is the largest event of its kind in Canada? It is also the longest running ethnic arts festival in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. These are wonderful accomplishments, and the Society and its volunteers deserve a great round of applause.

Originated in 1977 by young volunteers with foresight and imagination, initially to celebrate the Japanese Canadian Centennial, it continues to be organized by younger members of our community as a festival that revives in many of us nostalgic memories of Japan Town, the area in and around Powell Street, once the focus of Japanese Canadian livelihood, culture and activities.

Annually more than ten thousand visitors attend and the venue includes not only the Oppenheimer Park (or `Powell Ground’) itself but also the Vancouver Buddhist Hall and the Japanese Language School, located close to the Park. As well, off-site performances are held at the Firehall Arts Centre, on Cordova.

The weekend Festival aims to tie together a wide range of Japanese Canadian groups in the community (i.e., martial arts groups, seniors, cultural, social, and political organizations, etc.). Important to its development, it has to its credit evolved into an activity integral to Downtown East Side community, participated in by other Asian Canadians and Squamish Nation in its production.

Also, with access to public funding within the last ten years, it has produced a national purpose and agenda. It takes leadership in the development of the arts in Canada through fostering of cultural events, providing venue for emerging and established, professional and amateur, and traditional and contemporary artists in the Japanese Canadian and Asian Canadian communities. While Powell Street Festival always occurs during the first long weekend of August, for several years now, the Society has expanded to become a year long program, including participation in Asian Heritage Month during the month of May.

What is most remarkable, for me, is that for more than thirty years the Festival has been the meeting place for JCs visiting from across Canada. There are sightings of people hugging each other, as unplanned and unpredicted reunions take place right there on the Ground. Many Japanese Canadians take their holidays to coincide with Powell Street Festival, while others come from national and international centres invited to contribute.

Raised in the province of Manitoba, I knew little about the Festival until my parents moved back to Vancouver from Winnipeg in 1962. Since then and until my own move some twelve years ago, my annual visits to this site were a return to my childhood past. Before being relocated, my home was there, in the heart of Japan Town. Powell Street Festival serves to reawaken in me memories long lost, but also helped me to introduce my sons to our history, rooted in this place. Let’s meet at the next festival!

MONTHLY ARTICLE (August – September)

Some of you are participating in the 2007 Anniversaries’ programs, being held here in Vancouver, which remember the changing events which affected Asian Canadians during the last century. Included are the anti-Asian riots in Vancouver of 1907; the 60th anniversary of the 1947 Citizenship Act, which ended the era of such legislations as the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act and the 1885 Chinese Head Tax; and the 1967 Immigration Acts which opened up the trans-Pacific migration from Asia which led to Canada embracing a more multicultural stance in its immigration policy. The anniversary also includes the tenth anniversary of the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to the Peoples Republic of China which ended the British colonial rule.

On the weekend of September 7-8, The 1907 Race Riots and Beyond: A Century of TransPacific Canada, a Tri-University program (Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, and University of Victoria) will host concurrent sessions on various topics of Asian Canadian experiences juxtaposed with current related issues inviting both national and international presenters. A Walking Tour, re-imaging the Riot, is offered, as well as a Reconciliation Dinner on Saturday evening.

I just returned last night, August 20th, from Toronto where the NAJC Human Rights Committee met and where, also, over the last several days Japan Studies Association of Canada (JSAC) was holding its 20th International Conference at York University, Japan and its eventuality—pushing the envelope further.

NAJC Human Rights Committee member, (historian, and human rights activist), Tatsuo Kage, of Vancouver, presented, Japanese Canadians banished to Japan, in a session titled Communities in Transition. Also, NAJC Vice President and Human Rights Committee Chair (and lawyer), Charlotte Chiba, presented and participated in a panel, Sansei in Action Pushing the Envelope Further.

I believe this an important conference, this year chaired by Dr. Norio Ota of York University, providing opportunity of networking among international scholars and researchers in various aspects of Japanese studies. I noted that attendance was relatively small focused more on international memberships and students, however, felt more Japanese Canadians may have been encouraged to participate and attend. We live in a global society, multicultural in content, and as Canadians of Japanese ancestry, many of us continue to have social and economic interest in Japan, as well as emotional ties.

On this note, you may recall that a few months ago through this column, I opened discussion on the question of NAJC mandate and involvement regarding issues currently arising related to the conduct of Japanese military during the Second World War. With respect to this, and particularly the so-called `comfort women’ issue, raised as Motion 291 in Parliament by The Hon. Olivia Chow, I would inform you that I received some twenty responses from our community to date, largely in support, but also in recognition of need for education on such issues. I agree that a forum may help to share thoughts and opinions in a friendly manner. You may wish to express them here: national@najc.ca. For those who may not be conversant, I would recommend reading the Amnesty International research paper (http://web.amnesty.org/library/print/ENGASA 220122005) and accessing others on websites to come to your own position where you might stand on such human rights issues.

I just returned from Calgary, where NAJC’s Annual General Meeting was held October 19 and 20th. The National Executive Board and the national Membership delegates and observers were hosted royally by Calgary Japanese Community Association, and its sister organizations, the Kotobuki Seniors, Kaede Cultural/Odori, New Japanese Canadian Association, and the Sogetsu Ikebana Society.

The extra day’s workshop sessions, held Friday prior to the AGM, was thoughtfully planned and executed efficiently by Calgary’s Association (President Kevin Okabe) addressing various concerns of organizational survival and sustainability, human rights, and issues around Japanese immigrants and JC intermarriage. Undoubtedly, the latter, of changing JC representations, have great potential impact and interest in future development of our organizations.

While the workshop sessions held are invaluable, their relevance can be measured only through how such information and knowledge are used. I hope that delegates who attended will follow-up with activities in their communities, and report on same, to encourage further contacts and networking toward mutual benefit. As is already known, the NAJC’s Community Development Committee (Chair, Terumi Kuwada) is currently developing the national website for such purposes, and we expect this instrument may be used to its maximum strategic intent.

Some important decisions were made at the Annual General Meeting and these will be reported as they come into effect. In the meantime a key decision to hold a national conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Redress during the weekend of September 19-21, 2008, in Vancouver, was approved, and work has begun toward confirming venues and to inviting program content from our various communities. Special funds are now allocated for use by local and regional communities, so that events unique to their locale may be held addressing Redress past and future.

The NAJC National Award, presented biennially at the Annual General Meeting, was offered this year to Tony Tamayose, of Vancouver. The nomination, made by Randy Enomoto, Past President of NAJC, was supported by the Greater Vancouver JCCA, and individuals, Dr. Henry Shimizu, Dr. Roy Miki, and Judy Hanazawa. His work from the earliest days of the redress movement, both in fundraising and in dissemination of information, to his work as NAJC’s National Redress Administrator from 1988 through 1991 when he worked with the National Executive to carry out the implementation program and to coordinate activities and personnel required for the three regional and fourteen field offices, were addressed in the endorsement. Tony was a founding member of the JC Redress Foundation, from 1991 through 2002, established to disseminate the community fund that was an important component of the redress settlement. He was a founding member of the Steveston Language School and Cultural Centre project, and also worked closely with Vancouver Japanese Language School in its developmental plans. From 2000 to 2002 he served on the National Nikkei Heritage Centre and the Japanese Canadian National Museum. Undoubtedly, Tony’s record of involvement in both local and national levels is outstanding and stands as a testament to his decades-long dedication to the Japanese Canadian community.

MONTHLY ARTICLE (January)

2008! A happy and a healthy new year to us all!

Time has a way of flying by (or is this only a perception of someone aging, I wonder.) It seems yesterday that I hung up the 2007 calendar, and opened a new diary to enter another year’s activities.

But, as you know, this is a special year. We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Redress Settlement on September 22, 2008. Everyone I speak to remarks on how fast the 20 years have gone. But there is no doubt that the Settlement provided individuals and families a resolution to move forward and the impetus to accomplish in remarkable ways as we happily entered into the larger context of Canadian community. Now into fourth, fifth and in some cases sixth generations, expanded by the influx of the new ijusha (immigrants), certainly, the face of Canadian Nikkei has changed drastically and interestingly.

Approval was given by the NAJC membership at the Annual General Meeting held in Calgary in October last year, to hold a national celebratory conference in the City of Vancouver, during September 19, 20, and 21, 2008. As President of the NAJC NEB, I am working together with Ron Nishimura, GVJCCA President, as co-hosts to the event, with Cindy Mochizuki, artist/educator, of Vancouver, appointed as Coordinator of this event.

Venues for the celebration have been confirmed, on Friday at the Vancouver Language School, on Saturday and Sunday at the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre and the City of Burnaby’s Alan Emmott Centre (located adjacent to Nikkei Place). I thank the efforts of Rika Uto and Cathy Makihara, who have given of their time generously to achieve these ends.

A local core committee consisting of representatives of various local organizations, including the GVJCCA, and its Human Rights Committee, the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, the Japanese Language School, the Powell Street Festival Society, and Tonari Gumi, and individuals from the academic and artistic communities, as well as those who participated in the NAJC redress movement, have offered their services and we have begun to meet to discuss the planning and administration of programs, public relations, media releases, and fundraising.

Invitations have gone out to individual and organizational memberships for submission of ideas, suggestions, etc., toward producing the final agenda by the end of February 2008. Registration forms are expected to be distributed to the public at the end of March.

Some panel and workshop subjects and ideas being suggested to date include: redress today and intercultural forum; racism and human rights; reflections on internment and Japanese Canadian Redress; healing and reconciliation; educational workshops including youths and ijusha; reflections on NAJC history, and the changing face of Canadian Nikkei, etc.

The 20th anniversary celebration is worthy of your attention and input. Your special participation is most important to the success of this event. For information about meetings, or offering of volunteer or advisory services on any aspect of the planning, please contact national@najc.ca; or myself or Cindy Mochizuki at 604-734 0787. Thank you.

MONTHLY ARTICLE (February)

I was, to say the least, shocked to open the newspaper recently to find that Val Ross, journalist and author, had passed away. I had spoken with her at least a couple of times last year when she was good enough to contact me regarding our concerns about the Canadian War Museum’s exhibition panel relating to the experience of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. I regret that I had delayed letting her know the Museum had informed us recently that changes were now underway. I believe her reporting on this matter in The Globe and Mail was instrumental.
The importance of media support should be held with respect. I am aware that it played a large role in moving forward the redress movement. Ms. Ross had also expressed her interest in the 20th anniversary celebration plans. We have lost a good friend.
Some of you have asked me about plans for the redress anniversary celebration. I was able to respond that the work is progressing with the help of local community members and organizations, who are contacting national members, toward producing subjects for discussions and workshops as well as events to gather people socially. Any assistance you can give would be appreciated. I understand celebratory plans are underway at the regional levels also.
In the last twenty years since the Redress Settlement, our communities have flourished as with `justice realized’ most were able to move to healing and reconciliation. In The Japanese Canadian Redress Legacy. A Community Revitalized, (2003), Arthur K. Miki, the author, lists highlights of accomplishments, both individual and community. In all aspects—professional, academic, business, artistic, sports—though demographically small in number and dispersed across this wide country, Japanese Canadians have become major contributors to Canadian society.
It is to be remembered that the years following internment and dispersal were spent in re-establishing homes and jobs, in survival mode, as parents and grandparents worked hard to give the third generation education they believed was the key to successful entry into the larger Canadian society which, previous to 1949, without the franchise, was largely impossible to achieve.
As we contemplate the next twenty years I find, as president of the National Executive Board of the NAJC, that there are many questions which I would like to share with you in this and the next articles. The redress movement by a small group of Canadian citizens was unprecedented. It sought a just and honourable settlement from the Government of Canada. The Redress Agreement acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II was unjust and violated principles of human rights. Yet, today, many of our younger generations, I find, have little or no knowledge or interest about this history and about the struggles of the pioneers. We have in our effort to move into the larger society economically and socially, to a large degree, failed to educate our children in these aspects, and I believe it is important that our plans for the celebration of the 20th anniversary include special focus on history to begin to rectify this situation.