Ikemoto discusses his whereabouts during the end of the war; talks about volunteering to go to Japan post V-J Day; and discusses his experiences at Military Intelligence Language School (MISLS). He then talks about traveling to Japan via a troop…
Ikemoto discusses the military service of a Japanese colonel; talks about his interrogations and discussions with Japanese officers; and tells a story regarding a Japanese officer who visited the United States. He then talks about his interactions…
Tabata discusses about his family, childhood, and rememberingPearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details about growing up in Lahina (Maui), Hawaii. Tabata also discusses about his schooling
Tabata discusses the aftermath from Pearl Harbor and joining the Army. He details about his early experiences in the Army. Tabata also discusses about heading to the Mainland and experiences at Camp Shelby.
Tabata discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby and the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He details about his team leader and being to sent to India. Tabata also discusses about his experiences in India, Burma, and his…
Tabata discusses about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), the wars end, and coming home. He details about his post-war life. Tabata also discusses about seeing Ghandi and gives a message to future generations.
Hirose discusses his birth date and being born in San Pedro, California. Growing up he lives in Rolling Heights, California near the Peninsula. Part of his childhood activities includes fishing and skin diving. He recalls one incident with blue…
Hirose discusses what is blue stone and his experience in court. He shares his interment camp and military service experiences to the Judge. Hirose is only fined a small fee and is place on probation.
Hirose discusses forced removal and the management of Rolling Heights kicking them out earlier than Executive Order 9066. Hirose then moves to Los Angeles to live with his Father's friend before going to camp.
Hirose discusses his Father being arrested and going to North Dakota in suspicions of using a short wave radio. Hirose's Father rejoins the family at Tule Lake Concnetration Camp. Hirose recalls going to Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp, Ellis…
Hirose discusses the difficulties of transitioning into the school life after being in camp. At 18 years old, Hirose is drafted and recalls a special moment on the troopship playing chess.
Post-war, Hirose goes to Japan for occupation. He passes…
Hirose discusses playing baseball in the military and shares memorable stories. In the military here is segregation units and Hirose reflects on discrimination.
During Hirose's time in occupation there are many orphan children in Japan and he…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses name, birth date, birthplace and familial description. Yonemura's Father Tameki Yonemura and Mother Keku Yonemura
immigrate to the United States (US) with the early wave of Issei. When Yonemura's parents arrive…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his parents' personality. His Father is a philosophical person who enjoys reading and subscribes to the Rafu Shimpo. His Mother is very stoic and handles the household finances. Growing up in a large family, he…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses in 1941 he is in his third year of law school and works part time as a librarian monitor. Yonemura learns at the news of Pearl Harbor through a friend. Yonemura is in disbelief by the news of events. The following…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses having a lot of support despite facing discrimination. At Camp Savage, Yonemura is on the bull gang for eight or ten days until getting into Language School. He studies hard and is class 13. Yonemura says the…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses the Battle of Solomon Sea and gets promoted to team leader in the translation group. He receives the Bronze Star for his service.
Yonemura is with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) from October…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses being in Japan for occupation from September 1945 to late January 1946. His duties range from meeting with Nisei expatriates; working for war crime trials; and being the eyes and ears for General MacArthur for lines…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his friendship with Mine Okubo. Okubo is a Japanese American artist who illustrates her experience in camp and is the author of "Citizen 133660".
Post-war, Yonemura works in the General Consul Office from 1953…
Taketa shares his parent's immigration stories. He talks about his early childhood in Florin, California. He discuses his life while living in Marysville, California. He talks about his family's vineyard and how the Great Depression impacted their…
Taketa discusses a meeting he had with a reporter and other MIS veterans. He describes his family homes. He talks about his favorite foods when he was a child. He describes his mother's family and her personality. Taketa discusses his religious…
Taketa talks about his college studies. He shares his knowledge of World War Two. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He shares his theories on the reasons for World War Two. He talks about his brother's military career.…
Taketa continued to talk about his family's forced removal and Tule Lake. He discusses employment options at Tule Lake. He talks about the loyalty questionnaire and volunteering for military service. Taketa shares his experiences with discrimination.…
Taketa describes a cartoon strip about Project 9. He explains the differences between the Air Force and the Army. He discusses Camp Savage, military ranks, and his furlough. He talks about his time in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He describes his journey to…
Taketa continues to give an overview of how his unit attempted to stop the Axis powers in Burma. He describes his return to the United States and reconnecting with his family. He talks about his military language work at Fort Snelling. He explains…
Inami discusses his parents immigrating from Japan to Madera, California, and talks about his father's work as a farmer. He then talks about his childhood and discusses his siblings, chores, helping out on the farm, going to school, and the values he…
Inami talks about what he learned in Japanese language school including Japanese ethics (shushin) and values,. He then talks about school and the community he grew up in; childhood experiences with discrimination; and discusses the reasons why he…
Inami talks about his freshman orientation at UC Berkeley and his experiences with discrimination, and discusses how his military service as well as the existence of the 442nd helped him with his career. He then talks about his family's forced…
Inami talks about his reasons for volunteering for Military Intelligence Service (MIS), discusses joining ROTC in college, and talks about the reasons why he wanted to be in the military. He then talks about induction and basic trianing before going…
Inami talks about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, getting discharged, and going back to college post-war. He then talks about receiving a commission for signal corps and getting recalled into the Korean War, as well as his duties during the Korean…
Inami shows and describes photographs of his wedding, in uniform, and a picture taken while he was in Korea. He also discusses his rank in the military,
Inami discusses about his time living in Japan and childhood. He details cultural differences and Japan's surrender. Imani also discusses about his experiences at Fort Snelling, the Nisei mindset, Japanese culture, and Japanese Americans.
Inami discusses about the effectiveness of Japanese Americans during the Occupation of Japan, loyalty, and visiting Japan post-occupation. He details about the Occupation of Japan. Inami also discusses about his family and the "Zebra platoon".
Nakasone begins the interview talking about his family background and how his father came from Okinawa to Hawaii to work as a farmer. He talks about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including the food he would eat, and growing up during the…
Nakasone discusses attending Japanese language school and his involvement with Buddhism and judo. After this, he talks about the attacks on Pearl Harbor; living just three miles from Pearl Harbor, he would see firsthand the Japanese zero's flying…
Nakasone talks about the reactions to the Japanese attacking the Americans at Pearl Harbor and the effect that it had on his family. His parents understood that they would be seen as enemy aliens after the attacks but also understood that their…
Nakasone talks more about the occupation of Japan and the recreational activities such as dancing and the caucasian soldiers that were there. Next, he goes back and talks about his language courses at Fort Snelling, learning kanji and the root…
Nakasone discusses his marriage and how he met her at the University of Minnesota while he was a student and she was a librarian. He talks more about his family and names his grandchildren. Next, he talks about settling in Minnesota and his military…
Nakasone talks more about the movie "Pearl Harbor" and his disappointment in the accuracy of the film. After this, he talks about the military programs that he has been involved with, including one that helps the Navy establish educational programs.…
Oshiro describes his early life in Papa'aloa. He describes his parents and siblings. He talks about the chores that he had as child. He describes what he would do in his leisure time, including fishing. Oshiro talks about school and the learning…
Oshiro discusses Japanese language school and Japanese cultural values. He revisits the topic of leisure time and he describes his community. He explains the role of Pidgin English in his early life. Oshiro also describes his grandfather and other…
Oshiro describes the 1946 tsunami that hit Hilo and the surrounding areas. He talks about being inducted into the Army. He discusses the surrender of Japan and his subsequent journey to Japan. Oshiro talks about his time with the Counter Intelligence…
Oshiro talks about his life in Washington D.C. and his marriage. He discusses his life in Minnesota and his participation in veterans clubs. He explains how a 8th grade history project on the Nisei veterans launched his own research projects. He…
Oshiro begins the interview with a short introduction and talking about his whereabouts during the Japanese surrender during World War Two. Next, he talks about his childhood, growing up in Hawaii and being brought up with a heavy influence of…
Oshiro continues speaking on his time in occupied Japan and the language training that he received once he arrived there. He talks about the conditions of the Japanese civilians and the struggles that they faced on a daily basis. He talks about the…
After his time in occupied Japan, Oshiro would be discharged from the Army, as he wanted to pursue his higher education. He discusses the success of the occupation and the role of Nisei linguists and why that model should be used in future…
Oshiro finishes up the interview with a few experiences he had while living in occupied Japan. He talks about a nurse that committed suicide, a Soviet prisoner-of-war they found dead, and climbing Mt.Fuji during a fog. He also talks about traveling…
Doi discusses about schooling, friends, and social activities. He details about the Japanese community growing up and religion. Doi also discusses about high school, life afterwards, the Great Depression, and living own his own.
Doi discusses about living in Seattle. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Doi also discusses about volunteering for service, the affects of incarceration, and his wife.
Doi discusses his experiences Fort Snelling, Camp Savage, and discussing Military Intelligence Service (MIS) personnel. He details his assignment in Headquarters Company. Doi also discusses about picnics and banking at Camp Savage.
Doi discusses about why he joined and his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about the role of Special Services and his interactions with Hawaiian soldiers. Doi also discusses about his family and experiences at…
Doi reads a description about special services. He details about his post-war career. He details about his family. Doi discusses about his antiwar protest and retirement.
Umeda discusses about growing up in Sacramento, California and his family. He details about being drafted, aftermath from Pearl, and joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Umeda also discusses about his experiences in the Military…
Umeda discusses about taking a furlough, being discharged, and finding a job. He details about his career, family, travel, and friends. Umeda also discusses about attending the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS).
Discussing his experiences in the Philippines, discussing Sister Kenny, and trying to find a home. He details about the interrogation techniques he used. Umeda also discusses about a typical day in the South Pacific.
Umeda discusses about his experiences at Camp Savage and Fort Snelling. He details his wife career, family, and the values he was taught growing up. Umeda also discusses about how his background translated to his military service, his childhood,…
Tsuchimochi discusses his nickname; and talks about his childhood in Tacoma, Washington including discussing attending school, playing sports, and talking about the Japanese community and his involvement in community activities. He then talks about…
Tsuchimochi discusses the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor including talking about curfew, having to leave belongings behind during forced removal, and discussing Japanese American community leaders getting picked up by the FBI. He then talks…
Tsuchimochi discusses the loyalty questionnaire, getting his draft notice, and being assigned to Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He then talks about basic training at Fort McClellan, training at Fort Snelling, and censorship…
Tsuchimochi talks about receiving senninbari (good luck charm) from his mother; creating a rubber compound during his job as a chemist; and recreational activities after retirement such as golf, poker, and reading. He then talks about the differences…
Tsuchimochi talks about his involvement in a local veterans group; reminisces about his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) class and classmates; and talks about his experiences in the Philippines. Lastly, Tsuchimochi talks about some of his…
Isamu "Sam" Saito was born on April 27, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. His parents are from Japan and immigrated to the United States for a better opportunity. Sam's parents are instrumental in shaping him in his informal years of education.
Isamu "Sam" Saito recalls his school years. At school, the students are primarily Japanese Americans. The teachers had a hard time pronouncing the Japanese names. Therefore, many of the Japanese American students used English names for the benefit of…
Isamu "Sam" Saito discusses his friends' and parents' reactions after Pearl Harbor. One evening after the attack, Sam's parents burned items connected with Japan.
When Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) was announced, Sam's family prepared for…
Isamu "Sam" Saito describes life in the camp. Minidoka was the third-largest in Idaho, with approximately 12,000 Japanese American internees. Inside the camp, the people developed a police station, fire station, hospital, and administration.…
After Camp Shelby, Isamu "Sam" Saito went to Fort Snelling. There were approximately 2,000 soldiers at Fort Snelling training to go overseas. The curriculum focused on reading and writing. Sam discusses his daily schedule at the Japanese school.
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During the Occupation of Japan, Isamu "Sam" Saito got an opportunity to travel around Japan. He recalls visiting Osaka, and the locals have their dialect. Luckily, his cousin from Yokohama helps translate for him.
Onodera talks about his youth and early adulthood growing up in Seattle. His mother was a Japanese language school teacher (father a plumber) and he had an uncle in the Japanese navy. He also discusses how his family got separated during the Japanese…
Onodera discusses his, and his brothers', experiences serving in the US military. He talks about working at Vint Hills Farm Station in Virginia, and later working in Yokohama after the war ended. He discusses the post-war living conditions in Japan…
Onodera discusses his experiences being a translator for US commissioned officers in Japan. He recounts the living conditions in the US military barracks and some details of his job. In addition he talks about how 5 of his siblings also served in the…
Onodera discusses about his family, childhood, and growing up in Seattle, Washington. He details about his home life and moving to Los Angeles. Onodera also discusses about living in Los Angeles.
Onodera discusses about living in Los Angeles. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Onodera also discusses about forced removal, experiences at Manzanar Concentration Camp, volunteering for service, and Camp Shelby.
Onodera discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about joining the Military Intelligence Service and his experiences at Camp Savage. Onodera also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Onodera discusses about his experiences in Japan and his discharge. He details about his wife and family. Onodera also discusses about his post-war life and the legacy of the Nisei.
Nagano discusses his father and father's employment; elementary school; attending UCLA; and his siblings. He then talks about helping out with his father's gardening business, his experiences after the Long Beach earthquake, his father's life in…
Nagano talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath including restrictions, Executive Order 9066, and forced removal. He then talks about his family's friendship with neighbors who took care of their property when they were forced to…
Nagano provides some thoughts about getting his draft notice; discusses a military questionnaire he was given while at Manzanar incarceration camp; and talks about his experiences at Manzanar including discussing food, friendships, attending dances,…
Nagano talks about his first day in Japan, his experiences in Tokyo, and traveling overseas. He then talks about some of his assignments in Japan including teaching English, being a chauffeur, and his duties as an interpreter. Lastly, Nagano talks…
Nagano talks about getting discharged and returning to the United States; his experiences with discrimination while trying to get a job; his employment as a chemist; meeting his wife; and moving. He then talks about his children, joining Go for Broke…
Urata talks about his birthplace. He describes his father, mother, and his family's grocery business. He talks about prominent uncles in his family. He discusses his mother's death. He shares memories of his mother. Urata talks about his religious…
Urata talks about the languages that were spoken in his family home and the lessons he learned from his parents. He describes the racial makeup of his community. Urata describes his experiences in primary school, Japanese language school, and high…
Urata continues to talk about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He describes the "Oliver Bunch" organization in his community. He discusses Executive Order 9066 and the forced removal of his family. He describes his experiences at the…
Urata continues to describes his experiences at the Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center. He also continues to talk about daily life at Poston Concentration Camp. He discusses his job at Poston Concentration Camp. Urata talks about getting married…
Urata talks about the end of World War Two. He describes his journey to Japan as well as a stop in the South Pacific. He discusses his assignments while stationed in Japan. He talks about his relatives. He talks about the horrors of war. Urata…
Urata talks about the legacy of the Nisei. He discusses the lessons his parents taught him. He shares his hopes for the future. He also shares his thoughts on 9/11. Urata talks about deaths in his family. His wife joins the interview and answers…
K. Tsuji discusses his family background and early life in California's Central Valley. He also talks about the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. He shares anecdotes regarding: his grandfather's and mother's immigration; and his father's strategy…
K. Tsuji talks about his experiences living at both as assembly center and internment camp. He discusses he left his family while in internment to attend college. He shares anecdotes regarding: childhood excursions to San Francisco; applying for…
K. Tsuji discusses his MISLS training at Fort Snelling. He talks about how he sought out MISLS upon draft and details of curriculum in MISLS. He also shares anecdotes regarding college before draft and his first assignment after MISLS.
K. Tsuji discusses his experiences working in Occupied Japan. He talks about how he got assigned to Japan, and aspects of his duties being a receptionist. He also describes post-war Japan and visiting with his relatives in Wakayama.
K. Tsuji talks about his to the U.S. from Japan and his military discharge. He discusses returning to the University of Minnesota and getting his first job post graduation. He also talks about wife and children. In addition he shares anecdotes…
K. Tsuji discusses the legacy of Nisei participation in the U.S. military. He talks about the value of education within Japanese and Japanese American culture. He shares photographs and anecdotes regarding: mentors, good character, and WW2
