TESTIMONY TO THE COMMISSION:

My name is Masayoshi Jim Jinguji residing at __________ Federal Way, WA 98003. Just completing my 33rd year at St. Regis Paper Company as Asst. Technical Supt. -- age 60.

When Pearl Harbor occurred in 1941, I was living at home in Tacoma, WA, and attending the College of Puget Sound. My father owned a market, grocery and flower shop combination in the "K" street shopping district. This was a family operation and all the children helped in the evenings and weekends.

The first mention of evacuation was like a fairy tale to me. I didn't think an American citizen would be confined without a trial. As the weeks went by, evacuation became a reality. I remember purchasing several duffle bags, suitcases and foot lockers to pack our clothing, personal belongings and a few cooking utensils. All of our large household items were left in the attic of the house purchased several years before 1941. The house was rented out through a real estate agent, who was given the power of attorney. The stock items in the store were sold at a discount and much of the show cases and stands were simply left for the owner for disposition. It is hard to estimate the monetary loss of closing down the store. A ball park figure would be around $5,000.

The family was transported by train to Pinedale Assembly Center, then to Tule Lake. The only recollection I have of the train ride was that these were old rail cars reactivated for service for non-fare paying and non-complaining occupants. The family was quartered as a unit in a wooden barrack with tar paper as its exterior walls. The partitions were sheet rock on a wooden frame about 8 feet high and open on top. As a youth of 20, much of happenings at that time was taken as a lark, and at times a shi-ka-taga-nai (can't do a thing) feeling. In camp I worked in the recreation department as a Scout leader getting $12 a month. After about a year in camp I left on a work leave permit to work as a dishwasher in a country club in Illinois. In the fall of 1943, I enrolled at Hamline University - St. Paul, Minn. My younger sister came to Hamline shortly after I was settled. There was another sister working in Illinois as an accountant. By parents and younger brother relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota two years later. In the meantime the family at Tule Lake had been moved to Heart Mountain

[Page 2]

since Tule Lake became a repatriation camp.

When the question of the loyalty oath came up, it was quite a personal struggle for me. There were times I felt like putting No -No to both questions and stay in Tule Lake. Ultimately I signed Yes - Yes to the questions and made plans to go on to college.

After graduating from Hamline University in 1947, my family came back to Tacoma, Washington. It was not easy to get a job as a Chemist. I worked with a friend as a gardener for awhile and eventually came to St. Regis and started out as a Pulp Tester in 1948.

For being evacuated and the time spent in camp, I will not refuse any monetary compensation. Presently, I have my own family, a wife and 4 children with the youngest going on 17. All are in good health and with the grace of God am enjoying my daily living.

[Signed]