Leaving Topaz

Early Childhood The meaning of his middle name Yaichio Discrimination in San Francisco Life in Yamato Colony Social life in Livingston versus San Francisco Becoming head of the family at age 8 Advice from his mother Attending San Francisco City College Celebrating his birthday on December 7, 1941 Starting a YMCA program in camp Leaving Topaz Leaving a camp to attend college Getting a job in Honolulu Feeling free and accepted in Hawaii Getting fired from a job Marriage and Family Becoming involved at JANM Volunteering at JANM Defining “Nikkei”

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By that time, my whole thinking changed from why we were put into camp, to now I know why we were put into camp. It was not necessary. I felt it was injustice, and I was so glad that I’m going to get out of there. It’s strange that I didn’t think too much about my brothers, or my parents. I just thought about Fred Hoshiyama getting out of there. I was so glad, on January 10^th, I got out of Topaz, and $25 check, railroad ticket, and I felt free.

Date: March 4, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Florence Ochi, Art Hansen, Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

camps Topaz