Hearings

The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) was created on July 30, 1980, by an act of Congress. The CWRIC was formed mainly to investigate matters surrounding the incarceration and to recommend appropriate remedies. Hearings were conducted by the CWRIC in 20 cities across the nation beginning in 1981. Testimonies of former camp inmates given at these hearings -- along with exhaustive research -- provided the basis for the CWRIC report 'Personal Justice Denied.' These hearings were the turning point of the redress movement. Former opponents of redress were won over after the hearings. The often emotional testimony was also a catharsis for the Japanese American community, as many former incarceration camp survivors spoke of their experience in public for the first time.

Redress and reparations (1782)
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) (618)
Hearings (169)

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169 items

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-240)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-240/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-248)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-248/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-210)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-210/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-199)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-199/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-224)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-224/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-208)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-208/

img Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-346-204)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-346-204/

doc Letter requesting testimony of Arthur Yakabi to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (ddr-densho-401-1)

Letter from the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians asking Arthur Yakabi to provide testimony at the New York Hearings on November 23, 1981.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-401-1/

doc Arthur Yakabi's Testimony to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (ddr-densho-401-2)

Copy of Arthur Yakabi's testimony to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians detailing his experiences being deported from Peru and sent to various American Concentration Camps.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-401-2/

doc Keynote address by Bob H. Suzuki for Nisei Honorary Degree Ceremony (ddr-densho-446-363)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-363/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 3 (ddr-densho-1024-111)

Testifiers continue to speak out on the economic loss and psychological impact of Japanese internment during World War II. Recollections of post-camp resettlement also demonstrate the discrimination and prejudice experienced by many Japanese Americans. Introduction by June Hibino of Nikkei Progressives and NCRR. Part 3 Testifiers: Rei Osaki, Peter K. Ota, John J. Saito, Linda Morimoto, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-111/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 4 (ddr-densho-1024-112)

Members from various associations and organizations provide legal viewpoints on the constitutional issues and impact of camp experiences on Japanese American psyche. All of them demand for monetary reparations and constitutional remedy. Introduction by Steve Nagano of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives. Part 4 Testifiers: Fred Okrand, Junji Kumamoto, Alan Terakawa, Carole Sei Morita, Rose Matsui Ochi, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-112/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 4, 1981 - Part 3 (ddr-densho-1024-101)

Testifiers speak out on the heartbreaking accounts of camp experiences, post-war trauma, and the racial prejudice endured by many Japanese Americans. Introduction by Harry Kawahara, Former Redress Committee Chairman. Part 3 Testifiers: Henry S. Yamaga, Alfred Nabeta, Robert O'Brien, Morris Kight, Harry Kawahara, Hannah Tomiko Holmes, Raymond Wiedman To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1981 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-101/

av Speak Out for Justice: Afterword by Kathy Masaoka and Alex Kanegawa (ddr-densho-1024-116)

Kathy Masaoka, Co-Chair of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives, and Alex Kanegawa, member of Nikkei Progressives, provide an afterword to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1981 Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-116/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 6 (ddr-densho-1024-114)

The three days of CWRIC LA hearings concludes with final comments from the three remaining Commissioners present. [Commissioners Arthur S. Flemming, Hugh B. Mitchell, and William M. Marutani] Introduction by Abraham Ferrer of Visual Communications. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1981 Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Los Angeles hearings, Visual …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-114/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 1 (ddr-densho-1024-109)

Testimonies emerge from the issei (first generation Japanese) perspective as testifiers demand to speak out in Japanese. Japanese Americans from Terminal Island tell their stories of being forcibly removed from their homes and placed into internment camps. Introduction by Yasuko Sakamoto of NCRR, and Alina Nakano, granddaughter of Bert and Lillian Nakano. Part 1 Testifiers: Dean …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-109/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 2 (ddr-densho-1024-110)

Mental health professionals provide insight into the detrimental effects of camp trauma and the impact on psychological and physical health. Japanese Americans speak out on the extreme racial prejudice and discrimination experienced in post-camp life. Introduction by Karen Umemoto, Executive Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, and Michael Nishimura, member of Nikkei Progressives. Part …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-110/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 5, 1981 - Part 4 (ddr-densho-1024-106)

As the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Los Angeles hearings resume, Issei testifiers speak out on the injustice shown towards people of Japanese ancestry during World War II. Testifiers from the San Diego Redress and Reparations Committee also speak out on behalf of their experiences and their families. Introduction by Jan Tokumaru, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-106/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 5, 1981 - Part 6 (ddr-densho-1024-108)

Testifiers continue to speak out on economic and property loss as a result of forced relocation and internment. Japanese Americans share their experiences of search, seizure, and mistreatment during their time spent in internment camps. Introduction by Alison Kochiyama, Executive Director of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute. Part 6 Testifiers: Kiyoshi Sonoda, Larry Boss, Mary …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-108/

av Speak Out for Justice: An Introduction by Kay Ochi (ddr-densho-1024-98)

Co-Chair of NCRR/Los Angeles Kay Ochi provides an overview introduction of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981. Kay Ochi emphasizes the power of testimonies, grassroots organizations, and the importance of speaking out against injustice. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-98/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 4, 1981 - Little Tokyo Towers Evening Session (ddr-densho-1024-115)

On the evening of August 4, 1981, NCRR arranged a special evening session at the Little Tokyo Towers in Los Angeles, so that people who worked during the day could attend and participate in the CWRIC hearings. While the testimony footage for this session is incomplete and disjointed, the testifiers provide their heartbreaking experiences of personal …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-115/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 4, 1981 - Part 2 (ddr-densho-1024-100)

Japanese Americans break their silence to speak out on the pain, suffering, and loss experienced as a result of the issuance of Executive Order 9066. The first-hand accounts detail the enormous loss of property and business among many Japanese Americans after World War II. Introduction by Jim Matsuoka, Co-Founder of Los Angeles Committee Coalition for Redress …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-100/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981 - Part 5 (ddr-densho-1024-113)

As the final day of the CWRIC hearings conclude, testifiers continue to speak out on the impact of EO 9066 on Japanese American communities and unite in their demand for monetary redress. The testimonies recall business property loss, resettlement difficulties, and racial prejudice. Introduction by Richard Katsuda, educator and co-chair of NCRR. Part 5 Testifiers: Akemi …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-113/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 4, 1981 - Part 4 (ddr-densho-1024-102)

Testifiers continue to speak out on the intergenerational impact of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese Americans. The demand for Community Redress and Reparations grows as the testimonies continue to speak out on the psychological trauma and feelings of shame felt by many interned Japanese Americans. Introduction by Duane Kubo, Co-Founder of Visual Communications. Part 4 Testifiers: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-102/

av Speak Out for Justice: August 5, 1981 - Part 1 (ddr-densho-1024-103)

Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) veterans speak out about the injustice shown to Japanese Americans during World War II and in solidarity demand redress. A confrontation occurs between testifier Jim Kawaminami and author Lillian Baker, who denied that Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Introduction by Roy Nakano, Director of UCLA Asian American Studies Center. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-103/