A lo-fi archival podcast on the Japanese Americans during the WWII "internment" camps. In this podcast, we publish the audio archives from the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians during the 1980s and more.
When Nisei Soldiers Were Locked Up for Roosevelt’s Visit - Los Angeles (1981)
Harry Kawamoto, a Nisei from San Diego drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1942, testified before the Commission about the contradictions and injustices he and other Japanese American soldiers faced during WWII. Although he did not experience incarceration himself, his testimony revealed how racism and mistrust followed Nisei even into military service.
Drafted Before Removal: Entered the Army just before mass evacuation began. While in training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, requested furlough to visit his parents in Poston, Arizona, but was denied because “no persons of Japanese ancestry were allowed in that area.”
Denied Emergency Furlough: Recalled fellow Nisei soldier Albert Ito, whose brother was killed in the so-called “Manzanar riot.” Ito was refused permission to attend the funeral, with the same excuse given.
Roosevelt at Fort Riley: When President Roosevelt visited Fort Riley in 1943, Nisei soldiers were locked inside barracks under armed guard — while another group of Nisei, overlooked by officers, wandered freely outside. Kawamoto called this “a ridiculous security measure” that showed the government did not trust its own Japanese American servicemen.
Segregated & Distrusted: Nisei were often assigned to noncombatant units, further proof of government suspicion. Kawamoto argued that once drafted, Nisei should have been treated with full fairness and respect.
On Injustice: Declared that denying a soldier the right to attend his brother’s funeral could “never be justified.”
Redress & Reparations: Insisted no apology could erase such wrongs, and called on the Commission to recommend reparations “in the greatest degree possible.” Pointed out that Congress already had evidence after WWII to justify payments, yet ignored it.
Closing Plea: Affirmed that every person of Japanese ancestry — and others affected — suffered financial and psychological losses and deserved compensation, endorsing the proposals of the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations.
27 Oct 2025
Voluntary in Name Only: A Family’s Nightmare in Utah - Los Angeles (1981)
Akira Horiuchi, a 54-year-old Nisei from Los Angeles, testified before the Commission about his family’s decision to leave voluntarily rather than face forced incarceration, and the devastating personal tragedies that followed.
Father Arrested: On December 7, 1941, the FBI picked up his father while visiting friends on Terminal Island and held him for several days. That fear shaped the family’s decision to “voluntarily” leave Los Angeles.
Racism at School: As a teenager, he endured stares, insults, and hostility on public transportation, eventually biking to school to avoid harassment.
Utah Hardship: The family relocated to rural Utah as sharecroppers. For three years they lived under primitive, degrading conditions — no running water, no electricity, sleeping on bug-infested floors, laboring in fields and canneries. He described the work as “slave labor.”
Family Tragedies: His baby sister died after falling into an outhouse while everyone worked in the fields. Soon after, his mother died giving birth in a hospital for the first time in her life. Akira was still in high school.
Military Service: Drafted immediately after graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as an interpreter in the Occupation of Japan. He described the bitter irony of being pulled from “slave labor” only to be ordered to serve the same government that had uprooted his family.
Lingering Anguish: Questioned how any monetary value could be placed on the loss of his mother and sister, or the fear and humiliation that still haunted him.
Demand for Redress: Called for meaningful restitution from the U.S. government — at least $25,000 per individual — as the minimum recognition of the injustice.
24 Oct 2025
33 Years in the Post Office, No Justice for Lost Time - Los Angeles (1981)
Masaaki Hironaka, a WWII veteran and longtime postal worker, testified before the Commission about the injustice of being denied reinstatement to his job after military service, and the need for redress both in compensation and in constitutional principle.
Postwar Employment Struggle: After his 1946 discharge, returned to Chicago within the required 90 days and reapplied for his former postal clerk job. Postmaster Stewart refused to reinstate him. Appeals through the Union, Selective Service, and veterans’ groups failed.
Return to Fishing & Reentry: Worked in commercial fishing for a year, then retook the postal clerk exam. Only after Stewart’s retirement was he reappointed under a new postmaster.
Partial Restoration: The Post Office restored only his seniority and time worked — not his full status. Even when Congress passed legislation in the 1950s to reinstate Nisei veterans, he was already in the top grade and received no benefit.
Career & Retirement: Served 33 years with the Postal Service, retiring in 1975 as Manager of a Classified Station.
Redress Demand: Called for monetary compensation of no less than $25,000 per person, with funds for deceased incarcerees to go into community programs supporting families and heirs.
Constitutional Question: Urged the Commission to resolve the precedent of Korematsu, Hirabayashi, and Yasui, to ensure no government can ever again strip citizens of rights based on race.
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