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)

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144 items

doc JACL report on Japanese Americans renouncing citizenship (ddr-densho-122-416)

Prepared by Joe Grant Masaoko, with note "Not for Release or Publication"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-416/

doc Japanese-Americans Ordered Set Free (September 8, 1947) (ddr-densho-56-1180)

The Seattle Daily Times, September 8, 1947, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1180/

doc Japanese Lose Citizenship Case (July 13, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1160)

The Seattle Daily Times, July 13, 1946, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1160/

doc They're Disloyal And Should Be Treated As Such (February 16, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1155)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 16, 1946, p. 6

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1155/

doc Nisei May Sue For Citizenship (October 26, 1945) (ddr-densho-56-1149)

The Seattle Daily Times, October 26, 1945, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1149/

doc 8,000 Japs Sent Back to Nippon (February 7, 1946) (ddr-densho-56-1154)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 7, 1946, p. 5

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1154/

doc Japs Ask to be Citizens Again (November 13, 1945) (ddr-densho-56-1151)

The Seattle Daily Times, November 13, 1945, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1151/

doc 2,300 Nisei Restored Renounced Citizenship. U.S. Court Denounces Internment. (April 29, 1948) (ddr-densho-56-1187)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 29, 1948, p. 1

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1187/

doc Bill to Renounce U.S. Citizenship Passed by House (February 23, 1944) (ddr-densho-56-1029)

The Seattle Daily Times, February 23, 1944, p. 10

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-1029/

doc Two memos regarding Manzanar concentration camp, California (ddr-densho-67-14)

The subject of these memos is the identification of suspected pro-Japanese individuals.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-14/

doc Scrapbook page with one article (ddr-densho-35-400)

Newspaper clipping from the Oregonian titled "They've Changed Their Minds."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-400/

doc Scrapbook page (ddr-densho-35-402)

Two photograhs and one article from the Oregonian. Photographs are titled "Japanese Youngsters Among Repatriates Sailing." Newspaper article is titled "Nisei Fight To Remain In America."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-402/

doc Crossroads, Vol. 1, No. 43 (March 25, 1949) (ddr-densho-358-17)

Selected article titles: "Million-Dollar Flower Show Opens" (p.1), "Tule Renunciants Restored U.S. Citizenship" (p.1), "'Nisei Week' Will Make 1949 Comeback with all the Trimmings in Early August" (p.1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-358-17/

doc Final order, judgement, and decree as to certain named plaintiffs who have submitted affidavits in lieu of oral testimony (ddr-csujad-12-10)

According to these court proceedings the plaintiff by Charles Elmer Collett, Assistant United States Attorney, Attorneys for Defendants, Tsugitada Kanamori is to be hereinafter identified as a citizen of the United States of America. This document makes it clear that the purported renunciation of his citizenship is "null, void, and without legal effect upon that status …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-10/

doc Certificates [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-12-12)

Two certificates are included: A certificate form submitted by Tsugitada Kanamori to the Mayor of Yokohama City Naka Ward. Kanamori requested to certify that Yoshiro Okubo was a welfare commissioner of Yokohama City Naka Ward Bojyo-kai Fifth District in 1958 and Nakao Ito, Mayor of Yokohama City Naka Ward, certified it on July 21, 1958. English …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-12/

doc Medical certificate [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-12-16)

A medical certificate issued by Atsumi, M.D., Atsumi Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. It describes Tsugitada Kanamori's health condition and medical records. He was diagnosed with heart disease and received the treatments. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_06_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-16/

doc Letter from D.F. Goggin, Motor Officer, to the American Consul, Yokohama, Japan, April 18, 1951 (ddr-csujad-12-5)

This letter confirms that Tsugitada Kanamori has worked for D.F. Goggin since June 1946 at the time this letter was written and has been a model employee. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tsu_01_01_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-5/

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

https://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 …

https://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

https://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 …

https://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

https://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

https://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 …

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

doc Letter from Wayne M. Collins to Tsugitada Kanamori, May 13, 1958 (ddr-csujad-12-9)

This letter refers to the court proceedings in item: csudh_tsu_0010. The letter reiterates the court decision that Tsugitada Kanamori's renunciation of his citizenship as a result of "fear, coercion, and duress," will be canceled and therefore confirming that Kanamori remains a citizen of the United States. Collins adds that the transmittal letter can be taken to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-9/