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 (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Renunciation of citizenship (144)

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144 items

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 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 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 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 Pacific Citizen, Vol. 43, No. 7 (August 17, 1956) (ddr-pc-28-33)

Selected article titles: "Congressman Cites Masaoka Letter on Restriction of Japan Imports" (p. 1), "Demo platform chairman lauds nisei loyalty" (p. 1), "Army to Curtail Japanese Language at Presidio School" (p. 1), "$187,000 for evacuation claims payment approved for 28 recipients" (p. 1), "Citizenship restoration policy for Tule Lake renunciants established" (p. 2), "College extension course …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-28-33/

doc Letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin, May 31, 1993 (ddr-csujad-24-94)

A letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin. Also included is a letter to Weglyn and a letter written by Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen about Japanese American draft resisters during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_07_011

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-94/

doc Note about Hokoku Seinendan in Tule Lake camp (ddr-csujad-34-7)

A handwritten note by Hiroshi Fukuwa. It records that 76 top members of Pro-Japan group, "Hokoku Seinendan," received a notice on January 25. They left the camp at 9 AM on January 26 and got on a train at 4 PM to leave. Included are Oye, Shirozono, and Hamada. They were presumably the incarcerees in the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-34-7/

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/

doc Affidavit (ddr-csujad-12-26)

This affidavit belongs to Tsugitada Kanamori. It states that in 1945 he was repatriated to Japan in 1945 and that he did not swear allegience to the United States of America. According to the affidavit, Kanamori did so in order to keep his family together and to remain in camp. He also asserts that he was …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-26/

doc Letter from D.F. Goggin, Motor Officer, April 5, 1950 (ddr-csujad-12-4)

In this letter, D.F. Goggin, Motor Officer, affirms that Tsugitada Kanamori was employed by his organization starting June 8, 1946 and was still employed there at the time this letter was written. He remarks that Kanamori is a loyal and honest employee and recommends him for any position. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-4/

doc Certification of health care provider [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-12-15)

The document issued by Toshiko Takahashi, M.D., Minato Minami Hospital, describes Tsugitada Kanamori's health condition and medical records. He was diagnosed with Bronchial Asthma and received the treatments for a month from April 1950. English translation of this document is found in item: csudh_tsu_0014. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-15/

doc Letter from M.C. Morton, M.D., Director, Bluff Hospital, to Whom It May Concern, July 24, 1958 (ddr-csujad-12-19)

This letter, issued by Morton, M.C., M.D., Director, Bluff Hospital, Yokohama, Japan, explains that Tsugitada Kanamori has requested a certificate of ill health for the purpose of establishing dependency upon arrival to the Bluff Hospital in Yokohama. The letter describes his history of asthmatic attacks and the treatment for his cardiac asthma. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-12-19/