Interviews

1. Decided to Come to America Because Uncle Invited Him (Japanese)

2. Preparations for Coming to America (Japanese)

3. Agricultural Livelihood after Coming to the U.S. (Japanese)

4. Encounter with Miyagi Prefecture Kenjinkai (Japanese)

5. Supporting His Family (Japanese)

6. Activities of Miyagi Prefecture Kenjinkai (Japanese)

7. Big Dream (Japanese)

8. Grandchild That Is Interested in Japan (Japanese)

Yoshihito Yonezawa

(b. 1930) Nanka Miyagi Kenjinkai President

Preparations for Coming to America (Japanese)

(Japanese) At the time, the processing of my immigration papers was being delayed. I was told that unless I set my foot on America’s soil by the 10th of July, my visa would become invalid. When I went to the American Embassy in Akasaka in Minato-ku, Tokyo maybe on a Friday…I think…since the office was closed for two days, Saturday and Sunday. I somehow received my visa on Friday. In return for my visa, they asked me to bring the proof that I could set foot on America’s soil by July 10th.. Sp I showed my uncle’s letter to the person in charge. Then, he said, “OK” and gave me the visa.

How I came here is…I took a Pan American flight - at the time, I think that airline had only been in service for 2 1/2 years. I took an airplane from start to finish. I remembered it took 36 hours starting from Haneda Airport arriving into Los Angeles Airport. At the time, I flew to that island, I think it was called Wake Island. From Haneda, I stopped over at Wake Island, then after stopping over in Hawaii, arrived into Los Angeles.

After I arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, I stayed for a week in Los Angeles, I immediately headed for Imperial Valley. My first impression was that even though there are no rivers, there are many bridges – I suppose those were the “bridges” that go over the roads or what they call overpasses.

Date: May 8, 2007

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Mistue Watanabe

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Mr. Yoshihito Yonezawa was born in 1930 in Nakaniidamachi, Miyagi Prefecture. After graduating from school in Japan, he learned agricultural technology at an agricultural testing facility and became an agricultural technician for the prefecture. Because of this background, his uncle who was a farmer in the United States, asked him to help his business. In July 1956, Mr. Yonezawa immigrated to the United States.

For the first 2 years, Mr. Yonezawa cultivated vegetables and fruits at his uncle’s farm in Imperial Valley, California. Around this time, his uncle starts taking Mr. Yonezawa to Miyagi Kenjinkai activities. Afterwards, his uncle suggested him move to Los Angeles to study English. While going to school, Mr. Yonezawa experienced various jobs to sustain his living. Finally, Mr. Yonezawa landed a job with UPS (United Parcel Service) and until his retirement in 1992, worked for the company for 32 years.

After retiring, Mr. Yonezawa became the president of the Miyagi Kenjinkai. Currently, he continues his duties as president and is active in his role. (February 2009)