<Begin Segment 55>

AI: And, I think at some point, all the Japanese aliens, including yourself, had to register.

MY: Uh-huh, I did. I had the alien registration card.

AI: And then later on, as a family, also, I think -- even the American citizens were required to register, also.

MY: For the evacuation?

AI: Yes, as that part. Do you recall anything around these registration processes or how, how you felt about being required to do that?

MY: To sign -- do you remember going for the registration process for the family and getting our num-, getting our family number?

TY: No. I know I did. I'm the one who did it.

MY: I know, yeah, you did. I think Tosh was, since I was --

TY: Yeah. I know that I did it but I have no idea where I went.

MY: Yeah. Since Tosh was, since I was gone during that time, I was working, he, Tosh was the one who took care of all the family things.

TY: Yeah, I went and, I remember getting the notice about registering, but just were we, where we were instructed to go to get, to register... I was talking to Kenji about that one time, and he said he and I went together.

MY: Really?

TY: Yeah.

MY: Well I would, that sounds --

TY: And then so, he said that our numbers were --

MY: Very close?

TY: Yeah, but... it was very close.

MY: Like 3-2, 3-3.

TY: But beyond that I just don't remember.

MY: I remember that, too, but I didn't remember why it was -- I thought it was because we were neighbors, but that's interesting. But it makes sense for you and Kenji to have gone, representing the two families.

TY: This is, Kenji Okuda was our neighbor. Lived couple blocks down from us, was our good friends, and so some years ago I asked him about that, and he said, "Yeah, you and I went together." And I said, "Where did we go?" and he says, "I don't know." [Laughs]

MY: Oh, he didn't remember that?

TY: He didn't remember, either. And he was pretty smart, I thought that when he forgot, understand that I forget, too.

MY: So the, there must have been a registration center someplace.

TY: Yeah, I'm sure there was.

MY: Where the families were told to report.

TY: Maybe it was at the immigration office, maybe it was the federal building downtown, I don't know.

JY: You know, it could have been someplace like Bailey Gatzert grammar school, or something.

MY: Grammar school.

TY: It must have been someplace in the International section where... but I just, unfortunately I just don't remember.

MY: Hmm.

TY: There's so much gap in that period of my life, that --

MY: Yeah, there's this whole, hole in our memories, and unfortunately, of that specific period.

<End Segment 55> - Copyright © 2002 Densho. All Rights Reserved.