Interviews
Leaving Topaz
By that time, my whole thinking changed from why we were put into camp, to now I know why we were put into camp. It was not necessary. I felt it was injustice, and I was so glad that I’m going to get out of there. It’s strange that I didn’t think too much about my brothers, or my parents. I just thought about Fred Hoshiyama getting out of there. I was so glad, on January 10th, I got out of Topaz, and $25 check, railroad ticket, and I felt free.
Date: March 4, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Florence Ochi, Art Hansen, Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Insights from family on Japanese American internment
(b. 1977) Musician, Producer, Artist
Fun at concentration camp
Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.
The birth of a novel through a conversation with her nephew
(b. 1934) Writer
Documenting family history for future generations
(b. 1934) Writer
Institutionalization as a bad aspect of camp
(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist
Reasons for conformity and competitiveness in Gardena, California
(b. 1946) Lawyer
Not fully understanding parents' World War II incarceration while growing up
(b. 1946) Lawyer
Role of the redress movement in helping Nisei to open up about their wartime experiences
(b. 1946) Lawyer
Not recognizing father after reunion at Crystal City, Texas
(1937 - 2021) Teacher
Encountering a train full of Japanese Americans being transported to a concentration camp
(b. 1923) Chick sexer