Work and jobs

Both Issei and Nisei took jobs within the camps, at wages set not to exceed soldiers' pay: $12 per month for unskilled labor, $16 for skilled labor, and $19 for professional employees. WRA staff was paid much more for the same jobs. Though public opinion mandated such low pay, dissatisfied Japanese Americans objected to losing their right to make a decent living. They had to use their sparse income for necessities, such as warm clothing and shoes.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1454)
Work and jobs (1374)

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1374 items

doc Northern Pacific Railway Company offer of employment (ddr-csujad-55-899)

Offer of employment from the Northern Pacific Railway Company for Shoji Nagumo as a gang track laborer. Covers wages, housing, transportation, and other benefits. Includes Japanese handwritten notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0901

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-899/

img U. Oyama in the photo studio, Amache Co-op (ddr-csujad-55-1564)

Black and white photograph of U. Oyama taking a photograph of a young girl in the photography studio at Amache Consumer Enterprises, Amache incarceration camp. From the Amache Co-op Souvenir Album, page 28. See also sac_jaac_1530 through sac_jaac_1589. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1566

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1564/

img Kay Watanabe and T. Shiino in the canteen, Amache Co-op (ddr-csujad-55-1554)

Black and white photograph of Kay Watanabe, T. Shiino, and two incarcerees at the Amache Consumer Enterprises canteen at Amache incarceration camp. From the Amache Co-op Souvenir Album, page 22. See also sac_jaac_1530 through sac_jaac_1589. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1556

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1554/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 95 (July 6, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1073)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, alien registration, handicraft classes, a funeral, an exhibit, and girls softball schedule. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1075

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1073/

doc Translation of a report to Mr. H. Bruppacher of the Legation of Switzerland, July 2, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-1398)

Report to Mr. H. Bruppacher of the Legation of Switzerland regarding the state of medical services and health care at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From Mary F. Clark scrapbook, \nBefore I Forget, 1942-1947,; page 60. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1398/

doc Letter from Ruth Takagi to Mrs. Margaret Waegell, September 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-70)

Handwritten correspondence from Ruth Takagi to Margaret Waegell discussing family members, employment, and conditions in the Manzanar incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00074

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-70/

doc Former occupation of evacuees (ddr-csujad-55-20)

List of occupations and the number of individuals who held each occupation prior to being incarcerated. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00023

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-20/

doc WRA digest of current job offers for period of March 16 to March 31, 1944, Rockford, Illinois (ddr-csujad-55-992)

Report on job vacancies for "resettlers" in Rockford, Illinois. Includes summary of jobs and housing and a list of job titles and pay for males and females. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0994

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-992/

img Manjiro Nakawatase, Assistant General Manager, Amache Co-op (ddr-csujad-55-1537)

Black and white photographic portrait of Manjiro Nakawatase, Assistant General Manager of Amache Consumer Enterprises at the Amache incarceration camp. From Amache Co-op Souvenir Album, page 5. See also sac_jaac_1530 through sac_jaac_1589. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1539

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1537/

Memo from Ben B. Lummis, Sr. Engineer, Public Works Division, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, to Janitors Superintendents, January 26, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-626)

doc Memo from Ben B. Lummis, Sr. Engineer, Public Works Division, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, to Janitors Superintendents, January 26, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-626)

Memorandum of understanding from Ben Lummis to janitors and superintendents regarding the duties and workload of janitors and boiler firemen at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0628

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-626/

doc Letter from Tom Yamamoto to Ma and Pa Waegell, November 23, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-57)

Typed correspondence from Tom Yamamoto to the Waegells describing living conditions in Topaz incarceration camp and Yamamoto's current situation. Yamamoto discusses his work as a painter and his intentions to seek a position as an art teacher on the east coast. He also describes sleeping arrangements, food, and working conditions in the camp. See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-57/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 83 (June 11, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1063)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, selective service, shoe rations, farming opportunities, a fellowship opportunity, training courses, and delivery of paychecks. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1065

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1063/

doc Janitress-job order #17 (ddr-csujad-55-634)

Description of the "janitress" position at Heart Mountain incarceration camp outlining buildings and rooms, duties, and hours. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0636

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-634/

doc WRA digest of current job offers for period of March 16 to March 31, 1944, Chicago, Illinois (ddr-csujad-55-989)

List of current job vacancies for "resettlers" in the Chicago area including job titles and pay for males and females. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0991

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-989/

doc Letter from Leo Uchida to Mr. James Waegell, June 22, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2331)

Correspondence from Leo Uchida to James Waegell regarding Uchida's job at Manzanar incarceration camp, inquiring about life in Florin, and general updates on family and daily life. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2437

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2331/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 103 (July 27, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1081)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on student interviews, jobs in Cleveland, paper mill work, camp cleanup day, volunteers for swimming hole, jobs for skilled craftsmen, and sports announcements. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1081/

Letter from Dillon S. Myer, Director, War Relocation Authority, to Mr. Guy Robertson, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, May 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-565)

doc Letter from Dillon S. Myer, Director, War Relocation Authority, to Mr. Guy Robertson, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, May 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-565)

Correspondence from Dillon S. Myer to Guy Robertson requesting that Robertson provide instructions to incarcerees regarding "seasonal leave." Instructions cover working under contract with the War Food Administration, unemployment complaints, permission to traveling outside the "travel district," breaking labor contract, converting to indefinite leave, selective service, and work record. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-565/

doc Notice of assignment, Form WRA-21, Shoji Nagumo (ddr-csujad-55-629)

Notice of assignment for Shoji Nagumo as a chef at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Form WRA-21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0631

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-629/

doc Memo from Frank E. Gibbs, Acting Relocation Supervisor, to all Project Directors, January 31, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-806)

Memorandum of understanding from Frank Gibbs to All Project Directors regarding the promotion of jobs for "resettlers." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0808

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-806/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 41 (March 8, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1036)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on sharecropping and railroad, poultry, and farming jobs. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1038

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1036/

img Warehouse staff, Amache Co-op (ddr-csujad-55-1552)

Black and white photograph of the warehouse staff at Amache Consumer Enterprises at Amache incarceration camp. Pictured from left to right, R. Hashimoto, Y. Masatani, and G. Fujii. From the Amache Co-op Souvenir Album, page 21. See also sac_jaac_1530 through sac_jaac_1589. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1554

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1552/

doc Notice of assignment, WRA-21, Aie Yokota (ddr-csujad-55-213)

Notice of assignment for Aie Yokota. WRA-21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0215

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-213/

doc Office memorandum, no. 27 (January 7, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-623)

Memorandum of understanding from Guy Robertson, Project Director at Heart Mountain incarceration camp, to All Division and Section Heads regarding the procedures for repair and filing claims for incarcerees whose eyeglasses broken on the job. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0625

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-623/

doc Letter from three Japanese nurses, October 11, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-1384)

Letter of resignation from three Japanese nurses at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 55. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1386

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1384/

doc Night janitor-job order #23 (ddr-csujad-55-635)

Description of the Night Janitor position at Heart Mountain incarceration camp outlining buildings and rooms, duties, and hours. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0637

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-635/