Maya Miyamoto oral history interview, part 2 of 3, April 27, 2011
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During the occupation of Japan, Maya Miyamoto worked in Tokyo. He had a driver's license and could drive jeeps, tanks, and other vehicles. Therefore, a Lieutenant asked him to stay in Tokyo.
Maya's assignment was to drive the gas truck and trailer to Yokohama to get gas and haul rations or to get rations. Eventually, Maya's outfit got move vehicles, and the transport got the gas. Maya did not have to drive to get gas anymore. Maya became to head the Motor Pool as Motor Sergeant.
Besides work, Maya played a lot of baseballs. They started as a softball team, and they won a championship in the CIC detachment. There were many professional baseball players among their troops. Later, Maya played for the GHQ's baseball team. Maya's position was pitcher, short and third. He had fun and traveled around for games. In 1949, Maya received an award from the Commanding General for playing in the all-Japan tournament. Baseball in Japan was very popular.
Another popular activity during the occupation was the Black Market. Maya explains that the black market was selling or bartering items like a cigarette for Japanese yen. However, some individuals have the black market as a business. Maya had his wife with him in Japan, and he did not want the risk of her being sent back to the United States. Maya shares his thoughts on the blanket market. The black market was a big moneymaker.
During the occupation, there were food shortages in Japan. Maya did what he could to help to locals. He recalls helping the Japanese nationalists by giving them salt, bait to go fishing, and rations. Maya said the Japanese nationalist workers at the CIC performed good work, and you could trust them. Maya found the Japanese nationals to be trustworthy people.
Maya's assignment was to drive the gas truck and trailer to Yokohama to get gas and haul rations or to get rations. Eventually, Maya's outfit got move vehicles, and the transport got the gas. Maya did not have to drive to get gas anymore. Maya became to head the Motor Pool as Motor Sergeant.
Besides work, Maya played a lot of baseballs. They started as a softball team, and they won a championship in the CIC detachment. There were many professional baseball players among their troops. Later, Maya played for the GHQ's baseball team. Maya's position was pitcher, short and third. He had fun and traveled around for games. In 1949, Maya received an award from the Commanding General for playing in the all-Japan tournament. Baseball in Japan was very popular.
Another popular activity during the occupation was the Black Market. Maya explains that the black market was selling or bartering items like a cigarette for Japanese yen. However, some individuals have the black market as a business. Maya had his wife with him in Japan, and he did not want the risk of her being sent back to the United States. Maya shares his thoughts on the blanket market. The black market was a big moneymaker.
During the occupation, there were food shortages in Japan. Maya did what he could to help to locals. He recalls helping the Japanese nationalists by giving them salt, bait to go fishing, and rations. Maya said the Japanese nationalist workers at the CIC performed good work, and you could trust them. Maya found the Japanese nationals to be trustworthy people.
Identifier
2011OH1043_02_Miyamoto
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Date of Birth
1922 Jan 28
Location of Birth
War or Conflict
Branch of Service
Entrance into Service
Unit of Service
Citation
Miyamoto, Maya: narrator et al., “Maya Miyamoto oral history interview, part 2 of 3, April 27, 2011,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed April 16, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1052559.