Council Supports Reparations Bill

The Torrance City Council voted unanimously to lobby Congress and President Reagan in favor of a bill that would pay reparations to about 60,000 Japanese-Americans from the West Coast who were imprisoned during World War II.

Councilman George Nakano, who was sent to a internment camp as a 6-year-old boy, said he recommended the city’s action, which will include writing letters to Washington, in a discussion with Mayor Katy Geissert.

Legislation calling for $20,000 payments and apologies to each internee is before a joint congressional committee, where it is expected to gain approval before being sent on to President Reagan.

Nakano abstained from the council vote on the resolution because he is in line to receive the money. City Atty. Stanley Remelmeyer said a vote by Nakano could be construed as a conflict of interest.

Tuesday’s vote is not the first time Torrance has supported Japanese-Americans. On Dec. 12, 1941, five days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the City Council passed a resolution expressing confidence in the loyalty of local Japanese-Americans.