Pearl Harbor
Americans of Japanese Ancestry
Martial law was declared to keep the islands safe and establish control, but also to keep track of the large population of Americans of Japanese Ancestry, or AJAs. Anyone of Japanese descent was treated with suspicion because they worried the AJAs would be more loyal to Japan than to America.
The government took immediate steps to prevent Americans of Japanese Ancestry from communicating with Japan. The first few days after the attack, more than four hundred AJAs were arrested, even though many of them were legal citizens. They were jailed because they were of Japanese descent, not because they did anything wrong. Some were released after a few weeks, while others were held for four years, until the war ended. Those who stayed in custody were sent to internment camps. Any islanders with Japanese heritage worried the government would show up on their doorstep and take them or their parents away.
Internment of Americans of Japanese Ancestry wasn’t limited to Hawaii. Nearly 120,000 AJAs on the mainland were also forced into internment camps. This was a violation of their civil rights, but the U.S. government ignored the rights of AJAs, believing it was necessary to keep the country safe.
In Hawaii, it wasn’t practical to put all Americans of Japanese Ancestry into internment camps. Almost one-third of the population, more than 158,000 people, had Japanese heritage. And the military didn’t have the manpower or money to transfer them to the mainland. In addition, people with Japanese ancestry ran shops and businesses, worked on plantations, and fished. Their skills were necessary to keep the economy going. Instead, the government chose certain members of the Japanese communities, such as religious leaders, business owners, teachers, and editors of newspapers, and sent them to internment camps.
Even Americans of Japanese Ancestry who weren’t sent to internment camps faced discrimination. They had earlier curfews and more travel restrictions. They had problems being served in restaurants or gas stations. They weren’t allowed to live close to Pearl Harbor. And if they objected to any rules, they were sent to internment camps. To prevent suspicion, many AJAs gave up their Japanese customs, such as practicing judo or attending Japanese language school. They didn’t wear traditional Japanese clothes or read books in Japanese.
Despite the racism they experienced, many Japanese men were eager to defend the U.S. They were patriotic and loyal, and wanted to join the military. When the war began, Japanese American men flocked to recruitment centers to enlist, but they were turned away. The U.S. government classified them as “enemy aliens” and refused to allow them to serve. In 1943, amidst a shortage of soldiers, the U.S. lifted their ban against Americans of Japanese Ancestry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported the end of the ban, saying, “Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry.”
The government asked for 1,500 new volunteers in Hawaii, and more than 9,500 Japanese Americans showed up. The 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat team was an all Japanese American unit made up mostly of men from Hawaii. The unit fought some of the fiercest battles in the war, facing horrible conditions. These brave men risked their lives for a country that mistrusted and mistreated them.
Nanea’s Story
When Donna and Nanea get to Lily’s house, she’s curled up on the sofa crying. Four days ago, the FBI showed up and took away Lily’s father. Nanea was there. She watched two men in dark suits lead Uncle Fudge to a car parked at the curb. They looked like the mobsters from the movies. Despite Lily’s pleading, the men took her father away.
Now, Lily’s eyes are puffy and red. When Donna asks where Lily’s radio is, Lily answers that the police took it away. Nanea wonders if the Mitchells will have to give up their radio, too. Lily shakes her head. Only the Japanese need to give up their radio. Nanea protests that it’s not fair—Lily’s family are loyal Americans.
Lily tells them that the other day, her brother came out of work, and saw soap on his car windshield. It read, “Go home, Jap.” Nanea gasps. Donna says she’d like to find the person who did that and punch them.
Lily laughs dryly. Donna may have to punch a lot of people. It’s not easy to be Japanese right now. Nanea realizes this war is wrecking everything.