During World War II, approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, the majority of whom were Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans), were forcibly removed from their homes on the West Coast and Hawaii and incarcerated in internment camps. Despite being American citizens by birthright, they were subjected to this injustice solely based on their Japanese ancestry.
These internment camps were a result of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, which authorized the removal and internment of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Families were uprooted from their communities, forced to sell their belongings at drastically reduced prices, and confined to desolate camps under military guard.
The internment experience resulted in profound losses for Japanese Americans, both financially and emotionally. Many lost their homes, businesses, and personal belongings. The psychological toll of being labeled as enemy aliens within their own country and enduring the indignity of incarceration was immeasurable.
It wasn’t until 1988 that the United States government officially acknowledged and apologized for this grave injustice. President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act into law, offering a formal apology and providing reparations to surviving Japanese American internees. This apology marked an important step towards reconciliation and recognition of the violation of civil liberties during wartime hysteria.
The internment of Japanese Americans serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prejudice, fear, and the erosion of civil liberties during times of crisis. It stands as a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the Japanese American community, who despite facing adversity, have contributed significantly to the fabric of American society.
Source: ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp
