I've been asked to participate in a conference on the role of women in the Redress Movement, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where I happened to be an activist at that time. The person who should be representing the Northwest is Cherry Kinoshita, but since her health is not so good, I am the default person.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

On Feb. 18, an opinion piece entitled, "If it's war they want, it's war they'll get," which author Max Karson claims was intended as satire, was published in the University of Colorado at Boulder Campus Press, igniting a controversy and raising questions of diversity, student safety and First Amendment rights.

The column has drawn criticism from Asian American student groups as well as the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

"I've noticed some tension between the white students and the Asian students," the offending piece mildly began. "White people are quick to ridicule Asians. They have no problem with making demeaning remarks... they would never say about black people.

By the JAPANESE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION

FANNET, Texas. — On March 12, 2008, a historical marker was placed near Taylor Bayou, located in the town of Hampshire-Fannet, near the city of Beaumont, Texas, to honor two Japanese pioneer rice farmers, Yoshio and Yasuo Mayumi. They settled there in the early 1900s to grow rice on 1,700 acres of land. In later years the residents of Hampshire-Fannet erected a road sign, "Jap Road," to honor the Japanese farmers.

One day in 1992 a Texas schoolteacher, Sandra Tanamachi, and her family decided to have lunch at a popular seafood restaurant in Hampshire-Fannet. As they approached the restaurant, they noticed it was located on "Jap Road," as displayed on street signs.

Kyodo News photo

NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) — Around 6,000 people attended a rally Mar. 23 in Okinawa amid heavy rain to protest against crimes committed by U.S. soldiers, demanding a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and the curtailment of U.S. military bases.

Kyodo file photo

By KERWIN BERK
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

At 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds soaking wet, Ichiro Suzuki is dwarfed by his more physically imposing Seattle teammates, some who easily outweigh him by 50 pounds.

But put a bat in his hands, and Ichiro suddenly towers above them.

Yosh Kawano
courtesy of Chicago Cubs/Stephen Green

By GREG ROBINSON
One topic that many chroniclers have related is the place of baseball in the lives of Japanese Americans.

By ROB SMAAL
Asahi Shimbun

Five more Japanese free agents signed on with MLB clubs in the offseason, meaning that, for the time being at least, 23 Japanese players with Nippon Professional Baseball experience will be making their homes in North America this season.

courtesy of MLB.com Travis Ishikawa hoping for a shot.

By AKITO YOSHIKANE
Nichi Bei Times

As the start of the 2008 baseball season draws near, several Japanese and Japanese American minor league players are hoping to earn a spot in the majors.

Kyodo file photo Hideo Nomo attempting to make a comeback.

By AKITO YOSHIKANE
Nichi Bei Times

This year, all four Japanese non-roster invitees are pitchers looking to make the 40-man roster before the season begins, each with some previous experience playing in both the United States and Japan.