Renunciation of citizenship

During World War II, 5,589 American citizens of Japanese descent renounced their U.S. citizenship. The renunciations took place between December 1944 and July 1945, mostly in Tule Lake concentration camp, California. The vast majority of renunciations had little to do with "disloyalty" to the U.S., but instead were the result of a series of complex conditions and events that were beyond the control of those involved. After a legal battle, most renunciants had their U.S. citizenship restored in the 1960s.

World War II (215)
Resistance and dissidence (80)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Segregation

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144 items

doc Letter from Raymond R. Best, Project Director, Tule Lake Project, to Lt. Frank S. Okusako, October 19, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-232)

Correspondence from Raymond R. Best to Frank Okusako regarding the status of his family members at the Tule Lake incarceration camp including records of their conduct and renunciation of citizenship. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0234

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-232/

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins, Attorney-at-Law, March 27, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2259)

Correspondence and update from attorney Wayne Collins regarding the status of mass equity suits for Japanese Americans who renounced their U.S. citizenship during their incarceration during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2362

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2259/

doc Memo from W.W. Woodbury, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, September 21, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2250)

Memorandum of understanding from W.W. Woodbury to Masako Adachi regarding her application for permit for exit from Japan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2353

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2250/

doc Letter from Joseph W. Stilwell, General, U.S. Army, to Lt. Frank S. Okusako, November 15, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-236)

Correspondence from Joseph Stilwell to Frank Okusako regarding the case of Okusako's family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0238

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-236/

doc Letter from Akio Adachi to Sio, October 9, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2248)

Correspondence from Aki [Akio Adachi] to Sio [Masako Adachi?] regarding her travel from Japan to the United States, family affairs, and Akio's work. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2351

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2248/

doc Letter from Tetsujiro Nakamura, Tule Lake Defense Committee, to Masako Adachi, January 21, 1949 (ddr-csujad-55-2260)

Correspondence from Tetsujiro Nakamura to Masako Adachi regarding the cancellation of renunciation and restoration of citizenship for plaintiffs and financial issues involved in the cases. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2363

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2260/

doc Memo from the Foreign Service of the United States of America to Masako Adachi, September 4, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2309)

Memorandum of understanding from the Foreign Service of the United States to Masako Adachi regarding her passport and notification of departure from Japan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2414

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2309/

doc Menu from the S.S. President Cleveland (ddr-csujad-55-2253)

Dinner menu served on board the S.S. President Cleveland sailing from Japan to the United States. Cover includes an illustration of Spanish dancers and musicians. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2356

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2253/

doc Memo from Thomas H. Murfin, American Vice Consul, to Masako Adachi, October 11, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2256)

Memorandum of understanding from Thomas Murfin to Masako Adachi regarding Adachi's application for a passport. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2359

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2256/

doc Letter from Tom Clark, Attorney General, to General Mark W. Clark, December 10, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-235)

Correspondence from Tom Clark to Mark Clark regarding the case of Frank Okusako's family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0237

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-235/

doc Letter from Masako Adachi to Foreign Service of the U.S. of America, August 29, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2251)

Correspondence from Masako Adachi to the United States Foreign Service regarding Adachi's travel and repatriation to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2354

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2251/

doc Supplemental affidavit to be submitted with passport applications of Japanese "renunciants" (ddr-csujad-55-2308)

Affidavit form for individuals of Japanese ancestry who renounced their American citizenship during World War II. Form partially completed by Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2413

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2308/

doc Memo from Richard B. Finn to Masako Adachi, January 10, 1950 (ddr-csujad-55-2262)

Memorandum of understanding from Richard Finn to Masako Adachi regarding voting certificates. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2365

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2262/

doc Letter from Robert H. Henrion, Sgt 1C, 24th Inf Div, to American Consular Service, November 18, 1949 (ddr-csujad-55-2255)

Correspondence from Robert H. Henries to American Consular Service regarding a recommendation for Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2358

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2255/

doc To the descendants of George and Masako Okabe (ddr-csujad-55-2311)

Transcription of an oral history interview with George and Masako Okabe regarding their experiences during World War II. Interview covers Pearl Harbor, mass removal, daily life at Tule Lake and Grenada incarceration camps, repatriation to Japan, and return to U.S. Includes Yamazaki's report on the interview for her Sophomore World History class. See this object in …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2311/

doc Letter from Harold A. Barratt, Depot Manager, to Foreign Service of the United States of America, August 24, 1951 (ddr-csujad-55-2252)

Correspondence from Harold Barratt to Foreign Service of the United States regarding the employment of Masako Adachi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2355

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2252/

doc Issue slip (ddr-csujad-55-2254)

List of items belonging to Masako Adachi being transported from Japan to the United States. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2357

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2254/

doc Report on renunciation suits (ddr-csujad-55-2249)

Report from attorney Wayne Collins to clients regarding developments in renunciation suits. Covers habeas corpus proceedings, mass equity suits, results achieved by mass suits, alien enemy act, effects of Supreme Court decisions, individual hearings, what renunciants must not do, renunciant plaintiffs in Japan, and conclusions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2249/

doc Receipt from Okubo Pharmacy Company, English transration (ddr-csujad-12-18)

This half-sheet of paper certifies that Tsugitada Kanamori was sold four different drugs from the Okubo Pharmany Co., in Yokohama, Japan. Translator is Henry Tanisaki, Manager, Japan Chemical Service. English translation of the original receipt in Japanese is found in item: csudh_tsu_0017. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_06_007

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-18/

doc Request for certificate [English translation] (ddr-csujad-12-13)

English translation of the certificate. The original certificate in Japanese is found in item: csudh_tsu_0012. This certificate was requested by Tsugitada Kanamori, addressed to Nakao Ito, the Mayor of Yokohama City Naka Ward, to certify that Yoshiro Okubo is a welfare commissioner at Bojyo-kai Fifth District. Nakao Ito certifies that the information provided, namely that Yoshiro …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-13/

doc Standard certificate of birth (ddr-csujad-12-21)

The certified copy of Tsugitada Kanamori's birth certificate issued by the California State Board of Health, the Bureau of Vital Statistics. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_07_002

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-21/

doc Family register certification for Tsugitada Kanamori, in Japanese (ddr-csujad-12-23)

The certified copy of Tsugitada Kanamori's family registration in Japan, issued by Ryoitsu Kikuchi, the Mayor of Miyagi Shida-gun Kashimadai. Includes information about his birth date of September 7, 1922, his birth place, the city of Port Hueneme in Oxnard just north of Los Angeles, as well as information about the marriage to his wife, Kazuko …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-23/

doc Recipt from Okubo Phamacy Co., in Japanese (ddr-csujad-12-17)

This half-sheet of paper certifies that Tsugitada Kanamori was sold four different drugs from the Okubo Pharmany Co., in Yokohama, Japan. English translation of this document is found in item: csudh_tsu_0018. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_06_006

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-17/

doc Affidavit in Japanese (ddr-csujad-12-1)

An affidavit written by Kobayashi Trading Company in Tokyo to the Mayor of Yokohama City Naka Ward. It confirms that Tsugitada Kanamori used the Kobayashi Trading Company as a Tokyo office from January 1, 1953 through December 31, 1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_01_001

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-1/

doc Family register certification for Tsugitada Kanamori, in Japanese (ddr-csujad-12-20)

The certified copy of Tsugitada Kanamori's family registration in Japan, issued by Ryoitsu Kikuchi, the Mayor of Miyagi Shida-gun Kashimadai. The document lists his permanent domicile, his parents' names, date and place of birth (September 7, 1922, the city of Port Hueneme in Oxnard), his marriage to Kazuko Miyamoto. Also it includes Kazuko's date and place …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-20/