American-Born Japanese Deny They're Disloyal

A strongly-worded refutation of Japanese Foreign Minister Koki Hiroti's advice that Japanese born in the United States "remain Japanese," was made today by James Y. Sakamoto, national president of the Japanese-American Citizens' League.

Sakamoto, young newspaper man, said:

"Legally we are American citizens and that legal status is our most cherished possession over which we do not desire, nor will ever permit Japan or any other foreign power to exercise influence or control."

Sakamoto said the Citizens' League has forty-two chapters throughout the United States and 10,000 young Japanese members, all of whom were born in this country.

"The second generation in this country acknowledges only American citizenship and an increasing number of other Japanese here, as stated by Foreign Minister Hirota himself, are taking advantage of the expatriation law, instituted by Japan some years ago, to cancel their Japanese citizenship," Sakamoto said.

"However, we think that our young people, like the young of other racial groups, should have a knowledge of their cultural background. This would in no way detract from their patriotism and their duties as American citizens."