<Begin Segment 13>

MK: You studied for the test and acquired American citizenship in 1957. Was it in Japanese?

CE: No, no. I couldn't do it in Japanese. I was a bit too young. [Laughs] I had to study for the test in English.

MK: Could older people take the test in Japanese?

CE: Older people could take the test in Japanese.

MK: Younger people were not allowed to do it?

CE: I was not allowed because I was a bit younger than the threshold.

MK: What age was the threshold?

CE: I don't know what age. I missed it by only one or two years. Hinako, I and another man who passed away, three of us studied for the test together in English. [Laughs] We had a lot memorized because we studied hard. I went to Japan and came back. I was told to report for the citizenship test. I talked to my teacher, Mr. Matsui. He told me to come over for a lesson that evening, and I took the test on the following day. I didn't want to go to him. I was supposed to repeat to him word for word in English as I was instructed. I thought I could just wing it at the test if I didn't have the lesson with him. [Laughs] They didn't ask a lot of questions though.

MK: Do you remember any?

CE: I forgot them all now. I still have the notebook though.

MK: Do you remember any questions they asked you?

CE: I don't remember. I passed the test without a lot of questions to answer. Too bad because I studied very hard for the test. [Laughs]

MK: They asked me the name of the President.

CE: Oh.

MK: Didn't they ask you the same question?

CE: They didn't. They did ask a few questions. I answered, and that was it. [Laughs]

MK: Were you happy to become an American citizen?

CE: Sort of. It works well when I go to Japan. It is very convenient. [Laughs]

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 2003 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.