Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1764/

Having nowhere to go postwar

The Peruvian government didn't want us, because I think the Japanese community was doing better than the government of Peru. They were ashamed, I guess, I don't know, but they took everything that my father worked for in his life, the government took all that, Peruvian government. I mean, to take everything away from you and then say, "Go home," I feel sorry for my parents, that's all.


Japanese Peruvians Peru World War II

Date: September 20, 2019

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Tom Ikeda and Yoko Nishimura

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum and Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

Interviewee Bio

George Kazuharu Naganuma was born in Lima, Peru to his Issei parents in 1938. His family were forced to board a ship, to be incarcerated at Crystal City, Texas, during World War II. They remained there even after the war had ended, without a place to go. They were able to leave via a sponsorship by a reverend in San Francisco, California, where they were able to find jobs and housing. George joined the Boy Scouts in San Francisco and was able to visit Japan with his troop. He joined the U.S. Army and worked as a clerical typist. (June 2020)

Fujioka,Robert T.
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Grandfather's business in Hawaii while in camp

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Joining the army

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Animosity between the Hawaiians and the mainlanders

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Being scared during combat

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Never feared that he wouldn’t come back home

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Coming home to his mother after the war

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

On saving the Lost Battalion

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Getting a PhD under the G.I. Bill

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Ito,Susumu “Sus”
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Ito,Susumu “Sus”

Feeling at peace with himself

(1919 - 2015) Nisei who served in World War II with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Great grandfather Asato was a sumo wrestler

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Grandfather loved to tell her stories of her great-grandfather Arakaki

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Prosecution of Japanese Peruvians during the war

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents leaving Peru to move to California

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

On Nikkei identity

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Sekimachi,Kay
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Sekimachi,Kay

Thriving art culture at camp

(b. 1926) Artist

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