California Agricultural Trainee (カリフォルニア農業研修生)
(Supplemental Japanese Agricultural Workers Program, 1956-1965)
End of Year Luncheon
@ Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel
December 11, 2014 (11AM to 2PM)

(https://www.facebook.com/jalivinglegacy)

Supplemental Japanese Agricultural Workers Program was an international contract-labor program by the Japanese government and the state of California. It was started in 1956 and was terminated in 1965. During the 10-year period, about 4,000 Japanese people came and worked for different farms throughout California. Many of those Japanese were in their 20s and were single. The first 1,000 people came to California between the fall of 1956 and the spring of 1957.

In Orange County, notable Japanese American families hired those hard-working Japanese youth. The Sawadas, the Miyakes, the Itos, the Okadas, the Chikazawas, the Sakiokas, the Kanegaes, and other Japanese American farmers hired young people from Japan.

Those diligent and hard-working Japanese youth “economically” supported Japanese American farmers in California. It should also be noted that those young people came to Japanese American community during the late period of post-WWII resettlement. Some people were still facing economical struggles due to wartime internment.

Having interviewed some of those former workers, now in their late 70s and early 80s, I think, probably, it could be said: those Japanese workers brought an “economical fortune” to Japanese American farmers.

Takamichi “Taka” Go
(tgo@jalivinglegacy.org)