Arrest, searches, and seizures

Many Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) can vividly recall their fathers being hauled off by FBI agents to unidentified destinations for an unknown duration. Not surprisingly, anxiety and uncertainty spread quickly after Pearl Harbor. Many precious heirlooms were burned by families wanting to rid themselves of any connection to Japan. FBI agents raided Japanese American homes, confiscating short wave radios, cameras, and books. With the systematic removal of Issei (first-generation) leaders, the Nisei -- children and teenagers for the most part -- were abruptly asked to represent the larger group as well as their own families. They found themselves translating FBI and military orders for their parents and helping to keep family businesses going.

World War II (231)
Pearl Harbor and aftermath (247)
Arrest, searches, and seizures (353)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Custodial detention / A-B-C list, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rikita Honda, Terminal Island, California

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353 items
Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo
doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Andrew "Uncle Chape" Goodenough and Eva "Aunt Eva" Goodenough (ddr-one-5-25)
Envelope addressed to Dr. Kei Koyama in Camp Livingston from Andrew "Uncle Chape" Goodenough and Eva "Aunt Eva" Goodenough in Portland. Postmarked Aug 31, 1942. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope was a newspaper clipping about Boy Scout Troop at the Portland Assembly Center. William Koyama's name …
A unsent and unfinished postcard (ddr-one-5-44)
doc A unsent and unfinished postcard (ddr-one-5-44)
One cent postcard addressed to William K. Koyama at Minidoka from Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston. Postcard has no postmark indicating it was never mailed. On the backside is an incomplete birthday message to his son William Koyama dated Nov. 12, 1942.
Short story:
doc Short story: "Heavy fog rolled in from the Pacific" (ddr-densho-468-75)
Assignment for English 211, Section II. Part 1 ("Hope") is set in 1941 and follows a Japanese American who moved to Yokohama in 1939 and returned to the US disillusioned two years later. The main character, Johnny Obata, then faces anti-Japanese racism and unemployment. Part two ("Faith") follows Johnny's experiences following Pearl Harbor. In Part 3 …
Chimata Sumida Department of Justice Case File (ddr-densho-379-750)
doc Chimata Sumida Department of Justice Case File (ddr-densho-379-750)
Chimata Sumida's Department of Justice File includes the warrant for his arrest on January 19, 1942; a FBI investigation report that focused on Sumida's store and the inclusion of a stock of radios with short-wave capabilities; Sumida's Alien Enemy Questionnaire; and a transcript of his hearing for parole from Fort Missoula. Chimata Sumida's hearing for parole …
Edwin (Ed) Sasaki oral history interview (ddr-csujad-9-1)
av Edwin (Ed) Sasaki oral history interview (ddr-csujad-9-1)
Oral history interview of Edwin (Ed) Sasaki, a professor of the Psychology Department, conducted by the Public History Institute at California State University, Bakersfield. Professor Sasaki was born in Sacramento, California, in November 1940 and grew up in Weiser, Idaho. He recollects his family's experiences during the World War II, being arrested as a suspect and …
Oral history with Amy Uno Ishii (ddr-csujad-29-379)
av Oral history with Amy Uno Ishii (ddr-csujad-29-379)
An oral interview with Amy Uno Ishii, a Nisei woman. The interview was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project by California State University, Fullerton. Transcript is found in item: csufccop_jaoh_0938. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: 1342.2_T01
Transcript of internment hearing (ddr-densho-314-1)
doc Transcript of internment hearing (ddr-densho-314-1)
Besides the transcript of the internment hearing, this document also includes Kasuichi Takanishi's warrant of arrest.
Interpreter Releases Vol. XVIII No. 57 Series C: The Foreign Born in U.S.A., No. 13 Supplement No. I (ddr-densho-356-839)
doc Interpreter Releases Vol. XVIII No. 57 Series C: The Foreign Born in U.S.A., No. 13 Supplement No. I (ddr-densho-356-839)
Supplement to Interpreter Releases Vol. XVIII No. 57 Series C: The Foreign Born in U.S.A., No. 13. Supplement includes information about individuals arrested by the FBI and Naturalization of Enemy Aliens.
Man stacking confiscated radios (ddr-densho-36-31)
img Man stacking confiscated radios (ddr-densho-36-31)
Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were ordered by government officials to surrender their cameras and radios, ostensibly to prevent their use in treasonable activities. It is important to note that there are no documented cases of Japanese Americans taking part in such activities.
Memo recommending the detention (ddr-densho-411-2)
doc Memo recommending the detention (ddr-densho-411-2)
Form memo to L. M. C. Smith from J. Edgar Hoover recommending the arrest and detainment of Dr. Rikita Honda.
Yuhachi Miyagi's FBI file (ddr-densho-416-13)
img Yuhachi Miyagi's FBI file (ddr-densho-416-13)
Photocopy of part of Yuhachi Miyagi's FBI files. Includes dates of arrest, transfers, hearings and paroled.
Memo to War Department (ddr-densho-122-559)
doc Memo to War Department (ddr-densho-122-559)
Discussion of plan to determine loyalty of Japanese-Americans
Mollie Nakasaki Interview Segment 10 (ddr-jamsj-2-4-10)
vh Mollie Nakasaki Interview Segment 10 (ddr-jamsj-2-4-10)
Returning to school after Pearl Harbor: classmates "turned against me"; father taken in FBI raid

This interview was conducted by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and is part of a project entitled "Lasting Stories: The Resettlement of San Jose Japantown," a collaborative project between the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and Densho.

Homer Yasui Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-one-7-26-10)
vh Homer Yasui Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-one-7-26-10)
Father's arrest by the FBI

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.

Albert A. Oyama Interview Segment 8 (ddr-one-7-52-8)
vh Albert A. Oyama Interview Segment 8 (ddr-one-7-52-8)
Father's arrest by the FBI following the bombing of Pearl Harbor

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 …

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