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Joined Japanese Imperial Army during the WWII (Spanish)

(Spanish) The majority of high school or college students had the tendency to want to be naval pilots. I was one of those students. We enlisted but it wasn’t easy. Despite the people, the Argentines, or those who did not know really what it was like [back then], who say that “it was easy for them to enter [the navy].” No! It was difficult, the exam was tough. There was a friend of mine who did not get in [the navy]; twice he took the exam and could not pass. The third time he cut his finger and placed his name, “why can’t I die?” He cut his finger so he could not enter [the navy]. Thus it was difficult. Another who wanted to die [because] he also could not [join the navy]. Do you see? In seven or eight months, practically, I was ready to go to the front. At that time everything was accelerated. But it seemed an illusion for a sixteen-year old boy to have this [self-confidence in terms of] capacity [to serve]. Today, even with all the advanced science, one cannot imagine how we were back then.


armed forces Imperial Japanese Navy military U.S. Navy World War II

Date: September 18, 2006

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Interviewer: Takeshi Nishimura, Ricardo Hokama

Contributed by: Centro Nikkei Argentino

Interviewee Bio

Luis Yamada is a Nisei born in Buenos Aires in 1929. His parents were immigrants who came from the Fukui province. As a little boy he traveled to Japan where he lived during World War II; afterwards he returned to Argentina. He was able to see Japan before, during, and after the war. Today he is the director of the Instituto Argentino de Paisajismo (Argentine Institute of Landscape Painting), one of the most prestigious institutes of its kind in Argentina. (September 18, 2006)

Shimizu,Henry

Japanese newspaper supported by Canadian government during World War II

(b. 1928) Doctor. Former Chair of the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation.

Shimizu,Henry

Sneaking out of the Hastings Park camp during World War II

(b. 1928) Doctor. Former Chair of the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation.

Shimizu,Henry

Government urged Japanese Canadians to go to Japan

(b. 1928) Doctor. Former Chair of the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation.

Shinki,Venancio

Help from fellow Japanese (Spanish)

(b. 1932-2016) Peruvian painter

Shinki,Venancio

Closing the Japanese school and deportation (Spanish)

(b. 1932-2016) Peruvian painter

Abe,George

Realizing Importance of Birthplace

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

Hosokawa,Bill

A Reporter’s Responsibility

(1915 - 2007) Journalist

Tomihiro,Chiye

Too Ashamed to Tell

Chaired the Chicago JACL's Redress Committee.

Yoshida,George

We’re Still Japanese

(b. 1922) Musician

Uyeda,Clifford

Attempts to sign up for military service

(1917 - 2004) Political activist

Inouye,Daniel K.

Recalling Pearl Harbor

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

Inouye,Daniel K.

The FBI and the radio

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

Inouye,Daniel K.

Father’s words

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

Emi,Frank

Loyalty questionnaire

(1916-2010) draft resister, helped form the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee

Emi,Frank

Fair Play Committee

(1916-2010) draft resister, helped form the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee