Returning home

When the camps closed, Japanese Americans were handed $25 and put on trains headed for the places they had been forcibly removed from nearly four years earlier. Harassment was common -- many returning Japanese Americans were greeted with signs reading "No Japs Allowed." Other discovered their property had been vandalized or stolen. Homes and businesses that had been boarded up or left in the care of others were abandoned and stripped of furnishings and goods. For the majority, who did not have homes to return to, housing was the most serious problem. Housing discrimination was severe in many areas and persisted to varying degrees until the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. Former camp inmates with no other options moved into hostels and converted community institutions with conditions not much better than the camps they had just left. Although this period was stressful, it is remembered as a time when people came together to share what they had.

World War II (231)
Leaving camp (287)
Returning home (1049)

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1049 items

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-251)

Black and white photographic negative of five Obon dancers posing for camera in front of trees. First from the left: Kaoru Funatake, fifth from left: Masano Hachiya Yamasaki. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-251/

img Community Picnic (ddr-one-1-377)

Black and white photographic negative of three women sitting with backs to a picnic table enjoying a plate of food at a community picnic at Viking Park hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple). Third from left is Mary Yamaguchi, fifth from left is Jon Honma.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-377/

img Obon Festival Dance Rehearsal (ddr-one-1-310)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers rehearsing an Odori folk dance in front of a small audience inside Norse Hall. Obon dancers from left to right: Shig Yuzuriha, Shig Oka, and Hiro Okayama. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-310/

img Sorelles Beach Outing (ddr-one-1-393)

Black and white photographic negative of Lillian (Niimi) Mikariya (left) and Rose Namba (right) talking on the beach at a beach outing planned by the Sorrelles (a high school social group).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-393/

doc Alien's travel permit (ddr-manz-4-269)

Permit allowing Shinjo Nagatomi and his family to travel to Gardena, California after leaving camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-4-269/

doc Memo from A.M. Tollefson, Colonel, CMP, Director, Prisoner of War Operations Division to CG US Army Forces, October 23, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-231)

Memorandum of understanding from A. M. Tollefson to CG US Army Forces regarding relocation of enemy aliens to Hawaii. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0233

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-231/

doc Letter from H.C. Herring to Mr. M. Abe, November 20, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-26)

Correspondence from H.C. Herring to Mr. M. Abe outlining a work arrangement for carpentry, painting, and general labor. Includes the type of work, hourly rate, other compensation, and effective dates of the contract and a signed acceptance from M. Abe. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00029

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-26/

doc Letter from W.W. Lessing, Relocation Officer, War Relocation Authority, to Mrs. George H. Nakamura, November 25, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-2450)

Correspondence from W.W. Lessing to Dorothy Nakamura regarding grants for former incarcerees returning to their former homes after World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2556

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2450/

doc Community analyst report, no. 74 (May 1, 1945) (ddr-csujad-55-1663)

Community Analyst Trend Report Report from April 23 to 29, 1945. Report on Poston incarceration camp including departure of incarcerees and their relocation plans, closing of Relocation Centers, employment shortages at the camp, selective service, and a youth conference. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1665

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1663/

doc Permit (ddr-csujad-55-1667)

Permit to use property for the operation of a hostel for former incarcerees who have recently left incarceration camps. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1669

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1667/

doc Southern Pacific Company train assignment (ddr-csujad-55-218)

Train assignments from the Southern Pacific Company for a train bound for Davis, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0220

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-218/

doc Resettlement bulletin, vol. 2, no. 7 (September 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1671)

Bulletin covering issues related to "resettlement" including news, resources, and opinions. Current issue includes articles on family resettlement through churches, California annual conference of the Methodist Church, Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church, the Southern California-Arizona conference of the Methodist Church, relocation to Chicago, integration, and information on hostels. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1671/

doc Letter from Helen Hopt Kleven, 1945, page 11 (ddr-csujad-55-791)

Correspondence (page 11 only) from Helen Hopt Kleven regarding attitudes towards resettlement of Japanese Americans to the west coast. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0793

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-791/

Memo from Henry C. Freeland, Relocation Advisor, Gila River Project to Whom It May Concern re: Permission for Masatoshi Abe to travel, October 24, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-30)

doc Memo from Henry C. Freeland, Relocation Advisor, Gila River Project to Whom It May Concern re: Permission for Masatoshi Abe to travel, October 24, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-30)

Certification letter granting Masatoshi Abe permission to travel to Gardena, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00033

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-30/

doc Administrative notice, no. 237 (April 3, 1945) (ddr-csujad-55-1666)

WRA Assistance for Housing Accommodations in West Coast Areas, War Relocation Authority. Policies and procedures for housing accommodations for former incarcerees returning to west coast areas. Covers conditions for housing facilities to obtain government loans in order to support the influx of former incarcerees and other procedures related to housing. See this object in the California …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1666/

doc Community analyst report, no. 77 (May 15, 1945) (ddr-csujad-55-1664)

Community Analyst Trend Report from May 7 to 13, 1945. Report on Poston incarceration camp including departure of incarcerees and their relocation plans, army clearance, incarceree committees, incidents in Fresno, CA and Parker, AZ, combining mess halls, school closings, V-E Day, and a suicide. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1664/

Memo from Henry C. Freeland, Relocation Advisor, Gila River Project to Whom It May Concern re: Permission for Shige Abe to travel, October 24, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-29)

doc Memo from Henry C. Freeland, Relocation Advisor, Gila River Project to Whom It May Concern re: Permission for Shige Abe to travel, October 24, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-29)

Certification letter granting Shige Abe permission to travel to Gardena, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00032

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-29/

doc Report of survey on West Coast (ddr-csujad-55-790)

Report regarding a survey of incarcerees who intend to return to the west coast after leaving the incarceration camp. Conducted by Rev. John M. Yamazaki. Yamazaki provides a descriptive account of his travel to survey the conditions on the west coast and outlines several factors impacting incarcerees return including "housing problem," "job situation," and "local sentiment …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-790/

doc Community analysis report, no. 70 (April 18, 1945) (ddr-csujad-55-1662)

Report on "Destination of Leaves to the Evacuated Area, January to March, 1945." Covers number of incarcerees taking indefinite leave from Poston incarceration camp, their destination in California, and the conditions for incarcerees returning to regions of California. "Community analysis section." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1664

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1662/

doc Leave program of the War Relocation Authority (ddr-csujad-55-1670)

Report on the leave program of the War Relocation Authority. Covers west coast evacuation, development of the "relocation program," relocation offices, registration ("loyalty questionnaire"), changes in leave procedures, security investigation, leave clearance, project investigations, hearings, and review, evacuee support, change of address, community acceptance, and current problems with relocation. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1670/

doc Memo from V.R. Miller, Colonel, Infantry, Commanding, to the Adjutant General, War Department, Washington 25, D.C., September 6, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-230)

Memorandum of understanding from V. R. Miller regarding Frank Okusako's request for relocation of his family from the Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0232

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-230/

doc Granada community analysis report, #2 (ddr-csujad-55-788)

Report on "resettlement" from Granada incarceration camp. Includes: Are you interested in leaving the Center?; Why are you hesitant about resettlement? (including subsections on uncertainty of public sentiment, lack of money, lack of information, lack of confidence in making a reasonably satisfactory living, lack of proper living quarters, family ties and responsibilities, lack of confidence in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-788/

Address to the Sheriffs of California by Robert W. Kenny, Attorney General of California, Sheriffs meeting, Sacramento, March 16, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-1674)

doc Address to the Sheriffs of California by Robert W. Kenny, Attorney General of California, Sheriffs meeting, Sacramento, March 16, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-1674)

Speech given to the Sheriffs of California at the Sheriffs meeting regarding protection, civil liberties, and discrimination against former incarcerees returning to the state. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1676

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1674/

doc Story of the Nittas (ddr-csujad-55-342)

Pamphlet on the story of the Nitta family during World War II. Covers the Nitta's "evacuation", incarceration at Poston, and "resettlement." From verso, "Reprinted from NOW, through co-operation with the Congregational Committee on Christian Democracy from original manuscript supplied by the Reports Division of the War Relocation Authority, Los Angeles, July, 1945." See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-342/

doc Message from D.S. Myer, the Director of the War Relocation Authority (ddr-csujad-55-182)

Response by D.S. Meyer, director of the War Relocation Authority, to incarcerees discussing the implications and procedures following the lifting of the exclusion orders by the Western Defense Command in January 1945. Includes "Summary of WRA policies and procedures for the final phase of the relocation program" and information on relocation assistance, property assistance, welfare assistance, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-182/