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Longing to be an imperial soldier as a youth (Japanese)

(Japanese) Until the beginning of the Pacific War, I was never bullied or singled out as American-born or Japanese-American. But two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor – in Japan, that was December 8th, so it would have been December 10th – I passed by a classmate in the hallway at school, and when I said, “Good morning,” he said back, “Hey, it’s an American spy! Go back to America!”

Right after I entered elementary school, war broke out between Japan and China, then, when I was in sixth grade, the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. Japan was swept up in a current of militarism; everyone was gung ho for nationalism. So, no doubt about it – I was to become a solider. That is my wish, I said. I took the entrance exam for the military academy and was about to enter when the war ended.


generations Japan Japanese Americans Kibei Nisei Pearl Harbor attack, Hawaii, 1941

Date: January 31, 2012

Location: California, US

Interviewer: John Esaki, Yoko Nishimura

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

Interviewee Bio

Edward Toru Horikiri (b. 1929), Kibei Nisei, was born in Little Tokyo, but moved with his family back to Japan when he was 18 months old. He was raised and educated in Japan during World War II, but decided to return to the U.S. in 1952 in order to re-establish the family business that was disrupted by the War. However, lacking sufficient English language skills, he did a variety of jobs including gardener, houseboy, truck driver, and grocery and supermarket employee. He continued to be involved in cultural activities through Japanese language community organizations and friendships with artists such as Taro Yashima. (June 2014)

Jane Aiko Yamano
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Having patience in Japan, being both

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

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Jane Aiko Yamano
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Preserving traditional Japanese culture

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

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Wakako Nakamura Yamauchi
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Her experience as a Japanese-American schoolchild in Oceanside, California, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

(1924-2018) Artist and playwright.

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Wayne Shigeto Yokoyama
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Working at the magazine

(b.1948) Nikkei from Southern California living in Japan.

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Wally Kaname Yonamine
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The privations of living in post-war Japan, 1952

(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.

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Luis Yamada
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Proud to be a Japanese desecendant (Spanish)

(b. 1929) Nisei Argentinean

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Daniel K. Inouye
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Recalling Pearl Harbor

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

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Henry Suto
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School life in Japan (Japanese)

(1928 - 2008) Drafted into both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.

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Henry Suto
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Identity (Japanese)

(1928 - 2008) Drafted into both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.

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Miyoko Amano
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Yoshitaro Amano’s Business in Japan (Japanese)

(b. 1929) President of Amano Museum

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Isao Taoka
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Views on Japanese Youth (Japanese)

(b. 1943) Paraguayan Ambassador to Japan

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Masakatsu Jaime Ashimine Oshiro
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The Image of Japan: Expectations versus Reality (Spanish)

(1958-2014) Former Bolivian Ambassador to Japan

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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The importance of knowing the Japanese language (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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Margaret Narumi
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Nomo Press Conference

Producer at NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc.

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Margaret Narumi
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Nomo's American Debut

Producer at NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc.

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