Alan Kondo Interview Segment 1

Family background (ddr-densho-1000-551-1) - 0:04:42
Father's family background: born in Canada and moved to Japan (ddr-densho-1000-551-2) - 0:03:57
Description of parents: growing up in the Vancouver Japanese Canadian community (ddr-densho-1000-551-3) - 0:03:53
Family's experiences in Canada during World War II (ddr-densho-1000-551-4) - 0:07:52
Parents' meeting before the war (ddr-densho-1000-551-5) - 0:03:46
The disruption of family during World War II (ddr-densho-1000-551-6) - 0:06:35
Barred from returning to Vancouver after the war (ddr-densho-1000-551-7) - 0:06:03
Growing up in a Jewish neighborhood (ddr-densho-1000-551-8) - 0:04:16
Description of sister (ddr-densho-1000-551-9) - 0:01:56
Mother and aunts doing piece work in a Jewish garment factory (ddr-densho-1000-551-10) - 0:04:27
Experiences in high school, becoming the lead singer of a garage band (ddr-densho-1000-551-11) - 0:06:32
Involvement in Japanese Canadian community groups (ddr-densho-1000-551-12) - 0:07:41
Moving to Los Angeles and getting involved with Visual Communications (ddr-densho-1000-551-13) - 0:04:08
Working on films with Visual Communications (ddr-densho-1000-551-14) - 0:05:07
First moving to Los Angeles as a Japanese Canadian (ddr-densho-1000-551-15) - 0:03:01
Working at Gidra (ddr-densho-1000-551-16) - 0:04:18
Getting involved with Japanese American community activist organizations (ddr-densho-1000-551-17) - 0:07:40
Recording the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians hearings (ddr-densho-1000-551-18) - 0:04:43
Meeting second wife at a community conference (ddr-densho-1000-551-19) - 0:09:36
Description of children (ddr-densho-1000-551-20) - 0:08:25
Talking to children about family's experiences during World War II (ddr-densho-1000-551-21) - 0:10:24
Reflections (ddr-densho-1000-551-22) - 0:06:10
Japanese Canadian versus Japanese American identity (ddr-densho-1000-551-23) - 0:03:22
Visiting the former concentration camp sites (ddr-densho-1000-551-24) - 0:05:02
The evolving process of film editing (ddr-densho-1000-551-25) - 0:04:19
Learning more about Japanese Canadian wartime history (ddr-densho-1000-551-26) - 0:04:25
Becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen (ddr-densho-1000-551-27) - 0:03:03
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-551-1 ()

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Family background

0:04:42 — Segment 1 of 27

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DATE

October 8, 2025

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-551

NARRATOR

Alan Kondo

INTERVIEW TITLE

Alan Kondo Interview

2:30:55 — 27 segments

DATE

October 8, 2025

LOCATION

South Pasadena, California

DESCRIPTION

Sansei male. Born in 1946 in Toronto, Canada, where parents settled after their wartime incarceration. Father initially worked for The New Canadian newspaper and then opened a print shop. As a teenager in Toronto, Alan became the lead singer of a band, the Asian Minors. After attending the University of Toronto, moved to Los Angeles and studied film at UCLA. While in L.A., was introduced to Visual Communications and edited films. Lived in the Gidra house and got involved in the Asian American movement. Also worked with the Little Tokyo People's Rights Organization and other community activist organizations. Founded Kondo Wealth Advisors in Los Angeles.

PRODUCTION

Jennifer Noji, interviewer; Evan Kodani, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

RIGHTS

API