Mike Masaru Masaoka, 75, affectionately known as "Mr. JACL" and "Mr. Nisei" died Wednesday, June 26, 1991 in Maryland.
Having lived in Chevy Chase, Md., since 1956, Mr. Masaoka had attended public schools in Salt Lake City and graduated with honors in political science from the University of Utah in 1937. He also married his wife, Etsu Mineta, in Salt Lake in 1943.Mr. Masaoka had dedicated his life to fighting for the civil rights of Americans, especially for Japanese Americans. He was a key leader and spokesperson for persons of Japanese ancestry for the U.S. Congress during World War II. He had also worked tirelessly for the Japanese American League (JACL).
He was born in Fresno, Calif., on Oct. 15, 1915, the fourth of eight children. After his schooling in Salt Lake, he was named as "Citizen of the Community" in 1940 by the Salt Lake City Junior Chamber of Commerce.
During World War II, Mr. Masaoka also helped organize and was the first to volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up entirely of Japanese Americans. After honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he helped organize the National Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in 1948 and served as consultant to the President's Committee on Civil Rights.
"Readers Digest" magazine described him in 1949 as "Washington's most successful lobbyist." In 1957, he was featured on NBC-TV's "This is Your Life" and served as president of the Japan-American Society of Washington D.C. during 1967-68.
After stepping down from the part-time job as JACL Washington representative in 1972, he became involved with U.S.-Japan trade issues and lobbied on behalf of Toyota and other major Japanese corporations.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 1991, at the Chevy Chase Methodist Church. Flowers may be sent to the Gawler Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., 20016.