National

JACL Joins Legal Fight Over Prop. 8

rie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:40:11 -0800

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) has joined the Anti-Defamation League, the Asian Law Caucus, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and public counsel in submitting an amicus (friend of the court) brief in support of the Petition for Writ of Mandate in the case of Strauss, et al. v. Horton, et al.

The writ requests that the California Supreme Court issue an order invalidating Proposition 8 in its entirety.

Suzuki to Buy Back GM’s 3% Stake for $230 Million

rie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:34:28 -0800

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Suzuki Motor Corp. said Nov. 17 it has agreed to buy back General Motors Corp.’s 3.02 percent stake in the Japanese automaker for 22.37 billion yen ($230 million) as the struggling U.S. auto giant is seeking to raise cash.

With the sale, GM, which used to own shares in Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. in addition to Suzuki, will bring to an end all of its investments in Japanese automakers.

JACL Will Continue to Support Marriage Equality

rie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:17:36 -0800

Following the Nov. 4 election, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) expressed concern over ballot initiatives in several states that denied equal rights to gays and lesbians.

California’s Proposition 8, Arizona’s Proposition 102 and Florida’s Amendment 2, all passed by the voters, denied to gays and lesbians the right to marriage equality. In Arkansas, voters also prohibited gay couples from adopting children by passing Initiative 1.

Obama's Transition Team Includes Asian Americans

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:41:07 -0800

WASHINGTON — APIAVote congratulated President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and commended the naming of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to the Obama-Biden transition team.

One of them is former APIAVote board member Sonal Shah of the Google Foundation.

NJAHS/Park Service Event to Focus on MIS Learning Center

rie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:04:38 -0800

On Sept. 30, legislation was signed into law by President Bush that provides $1 million for the support of a Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center in the Presidio of San Francisco.

The provision was included in an omnibus bill to continue funding for the federal government until next spring at the request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose). Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) was also credited with supporting the funding.

Takei: Election Outcome Was ‘Bittersweet’

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:48:40 -0800

LOS ANGELES — Actor and activist George Takei on Nov. 5 expressing joy over the election of Barack Obama as president and disappointment over the passage of Proposition 8, which bans gay marriages in California.

Following the California Supreme Court’s ruling that legalized same-sex marriages, Takei married his long-time partner. The legal status of such marriages is now up in the air.

“Last night, I was filled with pride to be an American,” Takei said. “It was an exhilarating night of celebration. Barack Obama’s victory was a miraculous moment in our history.

U.S. Nuclear Sub Calls Unannounced at Okinawa

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:16:57 -0800

TOKYO (Kyodo) — A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine made a port call in Okinawa on Nov. 10 without giving the agreed prior notice to Japanese authorities, prompting Japan to lodge a protest and demand the U.S. Navy take measures to prevent any recurrence of such an incident, the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s top diplomat said.

National JACL Congratulates Obama

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:09:33 -0800

WASHINGTON — The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, congratulates Sen. Barack Obama on his successful election to become the nation’s 44th president.

The JACL said in a statement. “The election of Sen. Obama brings ethnic minorities a step closer to the time when all people can be looked upon as equals.

Dennis Hayashi Wins Race for Judgeship

rie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:51:02 -0800

OAKLAND — Public interest attorney Dennis Hayashi won the Alameda County Superior Court judge race on Nov. 4.

He obtained 280,384 votes (61.78 percent) to Deputy District Attorney Phil Daly’s 169,310 (37.31 percent).

The two were the top finishers among four candidates in the June election, but a runoff was needed as neither surpassed the 50-percent mark.

Veterans Day Ceremony in Washington

rie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:33:19 -0800

WASHINGTON — The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) and the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) are co-sponsoring the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism.

The event will take place on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. The memorial is located at the intersection of Louisiana and New Jersey avenues and D Street, NW, in Washington, D.C.