Events prior to Pearl Harbor

Before the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many in the Japanese American community were aware of the growing tension between Japan and the United States. Some had been receiving news from their families overseas, while others had visited Japan and witnessed the growing militarization there. However, few thought that Japan would provoke the much larger United States into war.

World War II (231)
Pearl Harbor and aftermath (247)
Events prior to Pearl Harbor (43)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Robert Shivers

Facilities
Format
Genre
Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

43 items
Louise Kashino Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-31-9)
vh Louise Kashino Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-31-9)
Awareness of impending war, afraid of an attack by the Japanese

For the first hour of this interview, an additional camera crew from KCTS Television was also present.

Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-129-10)
vh Bill Hosokawa Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-129-10)
Observations about the world climate shortly before the outbreak of World War II
Fumi Kaseguma Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-203-8)
vh Fumi Kaseguma Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-203-8)
Going to Japan for a summer at high school age: sensing the impending war between Japan and the U.S.
Jim Akutsu Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-2-15)
vh Jim Akutsu Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-2-15)
Foreseeing the outbreak of war and trying to volunteer for service; discrimination experiences in the National Guard and ROTC

Interview was conducted over two days because of delays caused by technical difficulties.

Shigeko Sese Uno Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-98-12)
vh Shigeko Sese Uno Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-98-12)
Chaperoning young women on a church trip to Japan shortly before the war, being followed and questioned by police
Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-53-18)
vh Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-53-18)
Principal addresses curfew and other restrictions at a school assembly
Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-53-14)
vh Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-53-14)
Talking with houseguest from Japan about Japan's role in World War II
Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-53-12)
vh Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-53-12)
A houseguest from Japan: foreign policy lessons and the impending war
Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 34 (ddr-densho-1000-153-34)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 34 (ddr-densho-1000-153-34)
Reported to the FBI for possessing a short-wave radio before the war, listening to Japanese news reports

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to …

Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-42-4)
vh Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-42-4)
A high school senior before the bombing of World War II

Mrs. Kurose was undergoing treatment for cancer and required frequent breaks and medication to help her with pain management.

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 36 (ddr-densho-1000-153-36)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 36 (ddr-densho-1000-153-36)
Brother was drafted into the U.S. army before December 7, 1941

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as …

Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-92-13)
vh Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-92-13)
Family's reaction upon returning to the U.S.

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention, held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-92-7)
vh Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-92-7)
Political climate in Japan shortly before World War II

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention, held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-92-10)
vh Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-92-10)
Deciding to return to the U.S. as war approaches

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention, held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Cedrick M. Shimo Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-260-12)
vh Cedrick M. Shimo Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-260-12)
Studying U.S.-Japan relations at Berkeley at onset of World War II

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 …

Peggie Nishimura Bain Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-170-27)
vh Peggie Nishimura Bain Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-170-27)
Thoughts of war prior to 1941: "I don't think I took war that seriously"
API