Japanese Canadian Internment | Narrated by David Suzuki

Summary

In 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, over 22,000 Japanese Canadians faced escalated anti-Asian racism and were viewed as enemies. The Canadian Pacific Railway and other industries fired Japanese Canadian employees, and their properties were seized. Men aged 18 to 45 were interned in camps, and later, all Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated to camps with harsh conditions. They were forced to pay for their own imprisonment and lost their property without consent. Writer Muriel Kitagawa highlighted the injustice and suffering. It wasn't until 1988 that Prime Minister Brian Mulroney formally apologized and a comprehensive redress settlement was reached with the National Association of Japanese Canadians, aiming to rectify the wrongs and reconcile the community with their country.

Takeaways

• 📅 In 1941, there were 22,000 Japanese Canadians living in British Columbia, facing decades of anti-Asian racism that intensified after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• 🔍 Post-Pearl Harbor, Japanese Canadians were viewed with suspicion and hostility, leading to the loss of jobs and confiscation of property like fishing boats and radios.
• 🇨🇦 The Canadian government's fear of Japanese soldiers led to the internment of Japanese Canadian males between 18 and 45 in camps within the BC interior.
• 📉 Ian McKenzie, a federal cabinet minister, advocated for stricter measures against Japanese Canadians, reflecting the prevailing sentiment at the time.
• 🧳 In 1942, 21,000 Japanese Canadians were ordered to pack a single suitcase and were relocated to livestock barns, then to camps and towns across Canada.
• 💼 The working and living conditions in these camps were harsh, with low pay, and Japanese Canadians were even forced to pay for their own imprisonment.
• 🏡 On January 19, 1943, the federal government passed a law allowing the sale of all seized Japanese Canadian property without the owner's consent.
• 📝 Muriel Kitagawa, a writer at the time, captured the sentiments of fear and outrage among Japanese Canadians, highlighting the depth of their suffering.
• 🚨 The internment and property seizure of Japanese Canadians represented the largest mass exodus in Canada's history.
• 🙏 In 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney formally apologized to Japanese Canadians for their wartime internment and property seizures.
• 💼 A comprehensive redress settlement was reached with the National Association of Japanese Canadians to address the wrongs and grievances of the past.

Q & A

How many Japanese Canadians were living in British Columbia in 1941?

There were 22,000 Japanese Canadians living in British Columbia in 1941.

What significant event happened on December 7th, 1941, that affected the perception of Japanese Canadians?

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, led to many viewing Japanese Canadians as enemies.

What actions were taken against Japanese Canadians by the Canadian Pacific Railway after Pearl Harbor?

The Canadian Pacific Railway fired all Japanese Canadian employees within days of the Pearl Harbor attack.

What was the impact of the Pearl Harbor attack on Japanese soldiers and Canadian troops stationed in Hong Kong?

After Pearl Harbor, Japanese soldiers overran Hong Kong, resulting in the death of 800 Canadians and brutal conditions for the remaining troops in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

What measures were taken by the Canadian government against Japanese Canadian males between the ages of 18 and 45?

On January 14th, Japanese Canadian males between the ages of 18 and 45 were taken to camps in the BC interior.

What was Ian McKenzie's stance on the treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II?

Ian McKenzie, a federal cabinet minister from BC, called for stricter measures against Japanese Canadians.

What happened to Japanese Canadians' property after they were taken to camps?

On January 19, 1943, the federal government passed a law authorizing the sale of all seized property without the owner's consent.

What was the living condition like for Japanese Canadians in the internment camps?

The living conditions in the internment camps were harsh, with low pay and poor working conditions.

How did Muriel Kitagawa describe the government's actions towards Japanese Canadians?

Muriel Kitagawa condemned the government's actions, stating that they could never measure the depth of hurt and outrage dealt to those who loved the land.

What was the significance of the redress settlement reached with the National Association of Japanese Canadians in 1988?

The redress settlement in 1988 was a formal apology and compensation for the internment and seizure of property faced by Japanese Canadians during the war, aiming to put things right between the community and the country.

What was Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's statement regarding the apology to Japanese Canadians?

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acknowledged the wrongful incarceration, property seizure, and disenfranchisement of Japanese Canadians, emphasizing the difference between regret and a formal apology, and the need to put things right.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Japanese Canadians' Plight During WWII

This paragraph details the hardships faced by Japanese Canadians in British Columbia after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. With a population of 22,000, they were subjected to anti-Asian racism that escalated into hostility and violence. The Canadian Pacific Railway and other industries fired Japanese Canadian employees, and their fishing boats were seized along with their radios. The government feared they might aid the enemy. Japanese soldiers' actions in Hong Kong led to the deaths of 800 Canadian troops, further fueling anti-Japanese sentiment. Japanese Canadian males aged 18 to 45 were interned in camps, and later, 21,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated to livestock barns, then to camps with harsh conditions. The government also passed a law allowing the sale of their seized property without consent. The narrative includes personal accounts from Muriel Kitagawa, highlighting the emotional and financial toll on the community.

05:01

🏛️ Apology and Redress for Japanese Canadians

The second paragraph outlines the formal apology and redress process for the internment and property seizure of Japanese Canadians during WWII. Muriel Kitagawa is quoted expressing the depth of the community's hurt and outrage. The apology came almost 50 years later from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, acknowledging the wrongful incarceration, property seizure, and disenfranchisement. Mulroney emphasized the importance of facing historical facts and the difference between regret and a formal apology. The government sought to settle with the Japanese-Canadian community to rectify the injustices and announced a comprehensive redress settlement with the National Association of Japanese Canadians. This marked an effort to reconcile with the community and its descendants, allowing them to move forward without the burdens of past wrongs.

10:02

🎶 Unspecified Content

This paragraph appears to be a continuation of the narrative with musical interludes and laughter, but the content is not detailed. It seems to be a transition or an intermission within the video script, possibly indicating a shift in tone or topic in the subsequent parts of the video.

Keywords

💡Japanese Canadians

Japanese Canadians refers to individuals of Japanese descent living in Canada. In the context of the video, this term is central as it highlights the population affected by the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The script mentions that there were 22,000 Japanese Canadians living in British Columbia at the time, and they faced severe anti-Asian racism and discrimination, leading to their internment and property seizure.

💡Anti-Asian Racism

Anti-Asian racism is discrimination against people of Asian descent. The video script describes a long history of such racism in British Columbia, which intensified after the Pearl Harbor attack. This racism manifested in violent acts against Japanese Canadians, such as throwing flaming torches into their homes and the seizure of their fishing boats and radios.

💡Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base that was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, an event that led to the United States' entry into World War II. The video script uses the phrase 'a date which will live in infamy' to describe the attack, emphasizing its significance and the subsequent impact on Japanese Canadians, who were viewed with suspicion and hostility.

💡Internment

Internment refers to the practice of confining people, typically those suspected of being a threat, in camps or prisons without trial. The script details how Japanese Canadian males aged 18 to 45 were the first to be taken to camps in the BC interior, followed by the forced relocation of all 21,000 Japanese Canadians to livestock barns and eventually to internment camps.

💡Canadian Pacific Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway is a historical railway company that played a significant role in the development of Canada. In the video script, it is mentioned as one of the first industries to fire all Japanese Canadian employees after the Pearl Harbor attack, illustrating the immediate economic impact on the community.

💡Ian McKenzie

Ian McKenzie was a federal cabinet minister from British Columbia during World War II. The script quotes him calling for stricter measures against Japanese Canadians, reflecting the political climate and the influence of such figures in shaping policies that led to the internment and property seizure of Japanese Canadians.

💡Property Seizure

Property seizure refers to the forced taking of property, often by a government or authority. The video script describes how, on January 19, 1943, the federal government passed a law authorizing the sale of all seized property belonging to Japanese Canadians without their consent, highlighting a severe violation of their rights.

💡Lemon Creek

Lemon Creek is a location in British Columbia where one of the internment camps was set up. The script mentions that Yukiharu Misuyabu and his family were sent there, where 1,700 Japanese lived in small cabins, illustrating the harsh living conditions and the forced relocation to internment camps.

💡Redress Settlement

A redress settlement is a form of compensation or remedy provided to those who have suffered injustices. The video script concludes with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's formal apology in 1988 and the announcement of a comprehensive redress settlement with the National Association of Japanese Canadians, signifying an official acknowledgment of the wrongs committed and an attempt to provide justice.

💡National Association of Japanese Canadians

The National Association of Japanese Canadians is an organization representing the interests of Japanese Canadians. The script mentions their presence in the visitors' gallery during the formal apology and redress settlement announcement, indicating their role in advocating for and receiving justice for the community.

💡Brian Mulroney

Brian Mulroney was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. In the video script, he is noted for his formal apology to Japanese Canadians for the internment and property seizure they faced during World War II, marking a significant moment of official recognition and remorse for past injustices.

Highlights

In 1941, there were 22,000 Japanese Canadians living in British Columbia.

Anti-Asian racism had been prevalent for decades prior to World War II.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Canadians were viewed as enemies by many.

Within days of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Canadian Pacific Railway fired all Japanese Canadian employees.

Japanese Canadian fishing boats were seized, and radios were confiscated by the government.

Japanese soldiers overran Hong Kong, leading to the death and suffering of Canadian troops.

Japanese Canadians experienced increased hostility and acts of violence.

On January 14th, Japanese Canadian males aged 18 to 45 were taken to camps in the BC interior.

Ian McKenzie, a federal cabinet minister, called for stricter measures against Japanese Canadians.

21,000 Japanese Canadians were ordered to pack a single suitcase and were relocated to livestock barns.

Japanese Canadians were sent to camps and towns with harsh working and living conditions.

Ian McKenzie's slogan 'No Japs from the Rockies to the seas' reflects the sentiment of the time.

Yukiharu Misuyabu and his family were sent to Lemon Creek, where they faced forced payments for their own imprisonment.

On January 19, 1943, a law was passed allowing the sale of seized property without owner's consent.

Muriel Kitagawa described the hardships and the anticipation of further suffering.

The movement of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians was the largest mass exodus in Canada's history.

Muriel Kitagawa condemned the government's actions and the violation of rights of Japanese Canadians.

In 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney formally apologized for the internment and property seizure.

A comprehensive redress settlement was reached with the National Association of Japanese Canadians.

Transcripts

[Music]

oh

[Music]

in 1941 there were 22 000 japanese

canadians living in british columbia

there had been anti-asian racism for

decades but after the attack on pearl

harbor on december 7th they were now

viewed by many as enemies

yesterday

december 7th

1941

[Music]

a date which will live

in infamy

united states of america

was suddenly and deliberately attacked

by naval and air forces of the empire of

japan

within days the canadian pacific railway

fired all japanese canadian employees

other industries followed

twelve hundred fishing boats were seized

radios were confiscated the government

fearful that they might be used to

communicate with the enemy

immediately after pearl harbor japanese

soldiers overran hong kong where 2 000

inexperienced canadian troops were

stationed

800 canadians died and the rest suffered

brutal conditions in japanese prisoner

of war camps

when the news arrived in canada

japanese canadians felt the brunt of it

[Music]

muriel kitagawa a writer was 29 years

old at the time and a mother of two

we have been tempered for the

anti-japanese feelings these long years

she wrote to her brother it is only

intensified into overt acts of

unthinking hoodlumism like throwing

flaming torches into rooming houses and

bricks through plate glass

[Music]

on january 14th japanese canadian males

between the ages of 18 and 45 were taken

to camps in the bc interior

ian mckenzie a federal cabinet minister

from bc

called for stricter measures

[Music]

six weeks later twenty one thousand

japanese canadians were told to pack a

single suitcase and were taken to

livestock barns where they were

photographed and fingerprinted

eventually they were sent to camps and

towns in the bc interior and other parts

of canada and put to work

the pay was low and both working and

living conditions often harsh

let our slogan be for british columbians

ian mckenzie said

no japs from the rockies to the seas

yukiharu misuyabu and his family were

sent to lemon creek bc where 1700

japanese lived in small cabins

we were forced to pay for our own

imprisonment out of our own pockets a

requirement not even imposed on hardened

criminals

on january 19 1943

the federal government passed a law

authorizing the sale of all seized

property without the owner's consent

[Music]

muriel kitagawa wrote

we are tightening our belts for the

starvation to come the diseases

the twisting of our souls

death

would be the easiest to bear

[Music]

[Music]

so

[Music]

so

[Music]

[Music]

the movement of more than 22 000

japanese canadians was the largest mass

exodus in the country's history

muriel kitagawa condemned the

government's actions

you who deal in lifeless figures files

and statistics could never measure the

depth of hurt and outrage dealt out to

those of us who love this land it is

because we are canadians that we protest

the violation of our birthright

in 1988 almost 50 years after the fact

prime minister brian mulroney formally

apologized to japanese canadians for the

internment and seizure of property they

faced during the war

right honourable prime minister

mr speaker

nearly half a century ago

in the crisis of wartime

the government of canada

wrongfully incarcerated seized the

property

and disenfranchised thousands of

canadians of japanese ancestry we cannot

change the past

but we must as a nation have the courage

to face up to these historical facts

there is a world of difference between

regret

and a formal apology

canadians of japanese origin had their

rights trampled upon

the reputation of this country

was besmirched

since then mr speaker

the present government has sought

a settlement with the japanese-canadian

community to put things right

between them and their country

to put things right with the surviving

members of the japanese canadian wartime

community of some 22 000 persons

to put things right with their children

and ours

so that they can walk together in this

country burdened neither by the wrongs

nor the grievances of previous

generations

it is fitting

that representatives of the national

association of japanese canadians are

present in the visitors gallery on this

solemn occasion because today

mr speaker i have the honor to announce

on behalf of the government of canada

that a comprehensive redress settlement

has been reached with the national

association of japanese canadians

[Laughter]

uh

[Music]

do

[Music]

that's

[Music]

[Laughter]

uh

you