Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own family history interviews. Individually and jointly, they and other family members had written and gathered material documenting their family history. They shared much of this with me to assist with research and preparation for the Densho interview. Mitsuye's daughter Jeni had coordinated much of the family history work. Jeni participated as a secondary interviewer during the group sessions, October 8-9, 2002.The group interview sessions were conducted in Seattle at the home of Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho. The oldest Yasutake sibling, Reverend Seiichi Michael Yasutake, had passed away less than a year before the Densho interviewing, in December, 2001. The remaining siblings emphasized that his absence left a gap in their discussion of family history. In addition to Jeni Yamada and videographers Dana Hoshide and John Pai, also present during some portions of the group interview were Tom Ikeda, and Mitsuye Yamada's son Kai Yamada.","extent":"00:04:05","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-136-8","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":130,"namepart":"Joe Yasutake"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"John Pai"}],"topics":[{"term":"Race and racism -- Discrimination","id":"37"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","geography":[{"term":"Cincinnati, Ohio","id":"\"http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7013604\""}],"rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 9, 2002","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Joe Yasutake narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nJohn Pai videographer","download_large":"denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"ddr-densho-1000-136-4","model":"segment","index":"1 151/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-136-4/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1000-136-4/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg"},"title":"Joe Yasutake Interview Segment 4","description":"Moving to Cincinnati, Ohio after World War II, witnessing parents unhappily employed as domestic help, attending school and participating in sportsJoseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own family history interviews. Individually and jointly, they and other family members had written and gathered material documenting their family history. They shared much of this with me to assist with research and preparation for the Densho interview. Mitsuye's daughter Jeni had coordinated much of the family history work. Jeni participated as a secondary interviewer during the group sessions, October 8-9, 2002.The group interview sessions were conducted in Seattle at the home of Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho. The oldest Yasutake sibling, Reverend Seiichi Michael Yasutake, had passed away less than a year before the Densho interviewing, in December, 2001. The remaining siblings emphasized that his absence left a gap in their discussion of family history. In addition to Jeni Yamada and videographers Dana Hoshide and John Pai, also present during some portions of the group interview were Tom Ikeda, and Mitsuye Yamada's son Kai Yamada.","extent":"00:05:14","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-136-4","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":130,"namepart":"Joe Yasutake"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"John Pai"}],"topics":[{"term":"World War II -- Leaving camp -- \"Resettlement\"","id":"104"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","geography":[{"term":"Cincinnati, Ohio","id":"\"http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7013604\""}],"rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 9, 2002","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Joe Yasutake narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nJohn Pai videographer","download_large":"denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"ddr-densho-1000-136","model":"entity","index":"2 152/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-136/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1000-136/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg"},"title":"Joe Yasutake Interview","description":"Nisei male. Born May 25, 1932, in Seattle, Washington. Father employed by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service as interpreter for twenty years, until separated from family on December 7, 1941 and interned as an enemy alien. Removed from Seattle with mother, sister and two brothers in 1942. Attended school (fifth through sixth grades) while incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, and U.S. Department of Justice internment camp at Crystal City, TX. Reunited with father, Jack Kaichiro Yasutake, who was transferred from the U.S. Department of Justice internment camp in Lordsburg, NM to Crystal City, TX camp in 1944. After release from Crystal City camp, moved with parents to Cincinnati, OH. Moved with parents to Chicago, Illinois where father served as Executive Director of the Chicago Resettlers Committee. After high school graduation, attended Lawrence College in Wisconsin. Graduated from University of Illinois. Commissioned as lieutenant, U.S. Army, 1954, assigned to artillery and served in Germany. Returned to U.S. in 1956, discharged from the army. Married, had three sons. Late wife died in 1984. Was remarried in 1988 and has one stepdaughter. Received M.A., New York University. Moved to Ohio, employed by U.S. Air Force as psychologist. Received Ph.D. in Industrial Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus OH. Moved to Denver, CO. Retired in 1986 from the U.S. Air Force Human Resources Laboratory. Moved to California, employed by Lockheed. Serves in a volunteer capacity with community organizations, including as president of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and speaks at schools to educate students about the experiences of Japanese Americans and loss of constitutional rights during World War II. Also serves as chair of the San Jose Japantown Preservation Committee.(Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own family history interviews. Individually and jointly, they and other family members had written and gathered material documenting their family history. They shared much of this with me to assist with research and preparation for the Densho interview. Mitsuye's daughter Jeni had coordinated much of the family history work. Jeni participated as a secondary interviewer during the group sessions, October 8-9, 2002.The group interview sessions were conducted in Seattle at the home of Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho. The oldest Yasutake sibling, Reverend Seiichi Michael Yasutake, had passed away less than a year before the Densho interviewing, in December, 2001. The remaining siblings emphasized that his absence left a gap in their discussion of family history. In addition to Jeni Yamada and videographers Dana Hoshide and John Pai, also present during some portions of the group interview were Tom Ikeda, and Mitsuye Yamada's son Kai Yamada.)","extent":"01:20:38","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-136","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":130,"namepart":"Joe Yasutake"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"John Pai"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 9, 2002","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Joe Yasutake narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nJohn Pai videographer","download_large":"denshovh-yjoe-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"122","model":"narrator","index":"3 153/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/122/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/122/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ipeter.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ipeter.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/122/interviews/"},"display_name":"Peter Irons","bio":"White male. Born 1940 in Salem, Massachusetts. Family moved frequently during his childhood due to father's employment. Strongly influenced by parents' values regarding racial tolerance and inclusion, and principles learned through Unitarian Church. While attending Antioch College in Ohio, became involved in political and social activism for civil rights. Joined the youth branch of NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and other groups. Active in sit-ins and other demonstrations addressing racial inequality, peace and related issues, eventually becoming a full-time organizer. Worked for the United Autoworkers Union. Resisted the draft, and was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1964. Convicted of failing to report for military service and sentenced to three years in prison. Graduated from Antioch College, 1966. Appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals and lost. Served his sentence in federal institutions in Milan, Michigan, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Danbury, Connecticut. Following release from prison in 1969, attended graduate school at Boston University, obtaining PhD in political science in 1973. Accepted to Harvard Law School. While a law student, researched and filed a writ of error coram nobis with the federal court in which he had been convicted, and as a result had his conviction vacated. (Writ of error coram nobis establishes that the original case was premised on errors of fact withheld from the judge and the defense by the prosecution.) Graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. Taught undergraduate and law school courses at several schools before joining faculty of the University of California at San Diego. While conducting research at the National Archives and Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in preparation for writing a book, discovered evidence of governmental misconduct during World War II, which refuted the U.S. government's rationale of \"military necessity\" for the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry in 1942. Using this evidence, assisted the congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Contacted original defendants, initiated formation of legal teams, and was instrumental in filing petitions using the writ of error coram nobis, resulting in the reconsideration of the wartime \"internment cases\": Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui. Dr. Irons is a professor of political science and director of the Earl Warren Bill of Rights Project at the University of California, San Diego."},{"id":"ddr-densho-1000-127","model":"entity","index":"4 154/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-127/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1000-127/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ipeter-02-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ipeter-02-a.jpg"},"title":"Peter Irons Interview II","description":"White male. Born 1940 in Salem, Massachusetts. Family moved frequently during his childhood due to father's employment. Strongly influenced by parents' values regarding racial tolerance and inclusion, and principles learned through Unitarian Church. While attending Antioch College in Ohio, became involved in political and social activism for civil rights. Joined the youth branch of NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and other groups. Active in sit-ins and other demonstrations addressing racial inequality, peace and related issues, eventually becoming a full-time organizer. Worked for the United Autoworkers Union. Resisted the draft, and was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1964. Convicted of failing to report for military service and sentenced to three years in prison. Graduated from Antioch College, 1966. Appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals and lost. Served his sentence in federal institutions in Milan, Michigan, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Danbury, Connecticut. Following release from prison in 1969, attended graduate school at Boston University, obtaining PhD in political science in 1973. Accepted to Harvard Law School. While a law student, researched and filed a writ of error coram nobis with the federal court in which he had been convicted, and as a result had his conviction vacated. (Writ of error coram nobis establishes that the original case was premised on errors of fact withheld from the judge and the defense by the prosecution.) Graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. Taught undergraduate and law school courses at several schools before joining faculty of the University of California at San Diego. While conducting research at the National Archives and Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in preparation for writing a book, discovered evidence of governmental misconduct during World War II, which refuted the U.S. government's rationale of \"military necessity\" for the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry in 1942. Using this evidence, assisted the congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Contacted original defendants, initiated formation of legal teams, and was instrumental in filing petitions using the writ of error coram nobis, resulting in the reconsideration of the wartime \"internment cases\": Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui. Dr. Irons is a professor of political science and director of the Earl Warren Bill of Rights Project at the University of California, San Diego.","extent":"02:41:34","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-127","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":122,"namepart":"Peter Irons"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Lorraine Bannai"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"Dana Hoshide"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 27, 2000","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Peter Irons narrator \nLorraine Bannai interviewer \nAlice Ito interviewer \nDana Hoshide videographer","download_large":"denshovh-ipeter-02-a.jpg"},{"id":"ddr-densho-1000-126","model":"entity","index":"5 155/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-126/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1000-126/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ipeter-01-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ipeter-01-a.jpg"},"title":"Peter Irons Interview I","description":"White male. Born 1940 in Salem, Massachusetts. Family moved frequently during his childhood due to father's employment. Strongly influenced by parents' values regarding racial tolerance and inclusion, and principles learned through Unitarian Church. While attending Antioch College in Ohio, became involved in political and social activism for civil rights. Joined the youth branch of NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and other groups. Active in sit-ins and other demonstrations addressing racial inequality, peace and related issues, eventually becoming a full-time organizer. Worked for the United Autoworkers Union. Resisted the draft, and was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1964. Convicted of failing to report for military service and sentenced to three years in prison. Graduated from Antioch College, 1966. Appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals and lost. Served his sentence in federal institutions in Milan, Michigan, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Danbury, Connecticut. Following release from prison in 1969, attended graduate school at Boston University, obtaining PhD in political science in 1973. Accepted to Harvard Law School. While a law student, researched and filed a writ of error coram nobis with the federal court in which he had been convicted, and as a result had his conviction vacated. (Writ of error coram nobis establishes that the original case was premised on errors of fact withheld from the judge and the defense by the prosecution.) Graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. Taught undergraduate and law school courses at several schools before joining faculty of the University of California at San Diego. While conducting research at the National Archives and Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in preparation for writing a book, discovered evidence of governmental misconduct during World War II, which refuted the U.S. government's rationale of \"military necessity\" for the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry in 1942. Using this evidence, assisted the congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Contacted original defendants, initiated formation of legal teams, and was instrumental in filing petitions using the writ of error coram nobis, resulting in the reconsideration of the wartime \"internment cases\": Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui. Dr. Irons is a professor of political science and director of the Earl Warren Bill of Rights Project at the University of California, San Diego.","extent":"02:21:49","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-126","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":122,"namepart":"Peter Irons"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Lorraine Bannai"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"Dana Hoshide"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 25, 2000","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Peter Irons narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nLorraine Bannai interviewer \nDana Hoshide videographer","download_large":"denshovh-ipeter-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"ddr-densho-1012-16","model":"entity","index":"6 156/{'value': 157, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1012-16/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1012-16/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1012/denshovh-ipeter-03-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1012/denshovh-ipeter-03-a.jpg"},"title":"Peter Irons Interview","description":"White male. Born 1940 in Salem, Massachusetts. Family moved frequently during his childhood due to father's employment. Strongly influenced by parents' values regarding racial tolerance and inclusion, and principles learned through Unitarian Church. While attending Antioch College in Ohio, became involved in political and social activism for civil rights. Joined the youth branch of NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and other groups. Active in sit-ins and other demonstrations addressing racial inequality, peace and related issues, eventually becoming a full-time organizer. Worked for the United Autoworkers Union. Resisted the draft, and was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1964. Convicted of failing to report for military service and sentenced to three years in prison. Graduated from Antioch College, 1966. Appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals and lost. Served his sentence in federal institutions in Milan, Michigan, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Danbury, Connecticut. Following release from prison in 1969, attended graduate school at Boston University, obtaining PhD in political science in 1973. Accepted to Harvard Law School. While a law student, researched and filed a writ of error coram nobis with the federal court in which he had been convicted, and as a result had his conviction vacated. (Writ of error coram nobis establishes that the original case was premised on errors of fact withheld from the judge and the defense by the prosecution.) Graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978. Taught undergraduate and law school courses at several schools before joining faculty of the University of California at San Diego. While conducting research at the National Archives and Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in preparation for writing a book, discovered evidence of governmental misconduct during World War II, which refuted the U.S. government's rationale of \"military necessity\" for the mass incarceration of persons of Japanese ancestry in 1942. Using this evidence, assisted the congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Contacted original defendants, initiated formation of legal teams, and was instrumental in filing petitions using the writ of error coram nobis, resulting in the reconsideration of the wartime \"internment cases\": Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui. Dr. Irons is a professor of political science and director of the Earl Warren Bill of Rights Project at the University of California, San Diego.(This interview is audio-only. It contains raw footage used by Steven Okazaki in his 1985 film Unfinished Business.
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.)","extent":"01:06:01","links_children":"ddr-densho-1012-16","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":122,"namepart":"Peter Irons"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Steven Okazaki","rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"San Francisco, California","creation":"November 11, 1983","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Peter Irons narrator","download_large":"denshovh-ipeter-03-a.jpg"}],"query":{"query":{"query_string":{"query":"Ohio","fields":["id","model","links_html","links_json","links_img","links_thumb","links_children","status","public","title","description","contributor","creators","creators.namepart","facility","format","genre","geography","label","language","creation","location","persons","rights","topics","image_url","display_name","bio","extent","search_hidden"],"analyze_wildcard":false,"allow_leading_wildcard":false,"default_operator":"AND"}},"aggs":{"facility":{"nested":{"path":"facility"},"aggs":{"facility_ids":{"terms":{"field":"facility.id","size":1000}}}},"format":{"terms":{"field":"format"}},"genre":{"terms":{"field":"genre"}},"rights":{"terms":{"field":"rights"}},"topics":{"nested":{"path":"topics"},"aggs":{"topics_ids":{"terms":{"field":"topics.id","size":1000}}}}},"_source":["id","model","links_html","links_json","links_img","links_thumb","links_children","status","public","title","description","contributor","creators","creators.namepart","facility","format","genre","geography","label","language","creation","location","persons","rights","topics","image_url","display_name","bio","extent","search_hidden"]}}