Consul General of Japan in San Francisco Yasumasa Nagamine arrived on Sept. 9 to assume his responsibilities. He was officially assigned to the post on Aug. 1.

Nagamine was born on April 16, 1954. He holds a B.A. in International Studies from Tokyo University and a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University.

By ALEC YOSHIO MacDONALD
Nichi Bei Times Contributor

With the debate over the American military's role in Iraq grabbing so many headlines these days, it might be easy to forget that the United States also occupies parts of well over a hundred other countries across the globe. And while war isn't actively being waged in those places, just the very presence of U.S. armed forces has produced plenty of heated conflict.

OAKLAND, Calif. — The State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC), a Governor appointed nine-member state review board entrusted with the responsibilities for the identification, registration and preservation of California's historical heritage, recently convened at the Oakland City Hall to approve the pending nominations for applications for listing historic and archaeological resources on the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, and the California Historical Landmarks and California Points of Historical Interest registration programs.

On Dec. 21, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law a bill that authorizes up to $38 million for the preservation and interpretation of confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II.

MIYAZAKI, Japan (Kyodo) — Tomoji Tanabe, a Japanese man who has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest male celebrated his 112th birthday Sept. 18 at his home in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture.

By APRIL ELKJER
Nichi Bei Times

At the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre this last Saturday evening, people milled about and slowly filled seats. There was an air of excited anticipation. Then the lights went low and the curtains parted. Out strode six people in black, Broadway performers who all just happen to be Asian American.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

One morning, church-going mother and entrepreneur Joanne Webb got a phone call from the police. The officer on the other end calmly explained that a warrant had been issued for her arrest and she would have to report to the local police station. Her crime? Counseling a pair of undercover police that were posing as a dysfunctional married couple and selling them a vibrator.

Dear Editor,

Anti-Watada veterans, who condemn him for violating his soldier's oath (Nichi Bei Times, Sept. 5, 2007), are committing the very malfeasance themselves. We GIs swore to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;…”

By FRED OSHIMA
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

Although unfortunately hampered by the absence of two of their distinguished honorees, the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Gala Awards Dinner, "A Salute To Champions," still managed to turn into a classic glittering Washington affair, as some 300 members and guests gathered at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Sept. 12.