On September 10, 1939, Canada follows Britain by declaring war on Germany. Like World War I, Canadians were asked by the government to lend their money through victory bonds to help the war effort. Japanese Canadians join the war effort, buying more than $300 000 worth of bonds in support of Canadian troops. Akira's father, who was a part of a Japanese fishing association, sent two tons of canned fish to support the Allies. Although the military needed more men to fight, Prime Minister Mackenzie King excluded Japanese-Canadians from signing up. For many nisei, or second generation Japanese-Canadians, this rejected their chance of proving their loyalty to Canada.
"Victory Bonds: Free from confiscation, from suffering, from wanton imprisonment without cause."
The Day of Infamy
On December 7, 1941 8am local time in Hawaii, Japan attacks Pearl Harbour. 2403 men are killed and 1178 men are wounded. Prime Minister King declares that all Japanese nationals will in principle be treated in the same way as nationals of Germany and Italy. Canada invoked the War Measures Act: every Japanese-Canadian born in Canada or not, citizen of Canada or not, or served in the Canadian forces in World War I, was considered an enemy alien. Once again, Japanese-Canadians were the victims of a grave injustice as they were deprived of their comfort, possessions, and dignity. 1200 Japanese fishing boats were ordered to port immediately, 3 Japanese newspapers in Vancouver were shut down, 60 Japanese Schools in Vancouver were closed, and numerous cultural institutions were put to a halt.
Hours later, Hong Kong is attacked by the Japanese. Canadian troops are sent over to help defend the British colony. 500 Canadians were wounded, 290 killed, and 284 taken as prisoners of war (POWs). News of the murder, cruelty, and starvation of the POWs by the Japanese fuelled the hatred of the Japanese in Canada. When Canada declared war on Japan, the media began pushing out anti-Japanese war propaganda, associating the Japanese with brutal images. The public began to equate the enemy abroad with the Japanese-Canadians at home.
In accordance with the War Measures Act, all Japanese were labelled as enemy aliens. Curfews were imposed, and possessions such as firearms and radios were seized. Of the 23 000 nisei, more than 75% were Canadian citizens. They were stripped of their rights to freedom, trial by jury, and presumption of innocence. Everyone of Japanese descent had to register with the Registrar of Enemy Aliens. Akira's father, along with every other Japanese working in Canada, lost their jobs.
On December 7, 1941 8am local time in Hawaii, Japan attacks Pearl Harbour. 2403 men are killed and 1178 men are wounded. Prime Minister King declares that all Japanese nationals will in principle be treated in the same way as nationals of Germany and Italy. Canada invoked the War Measures Act: every Japanese-Canadian born in Canada or not, citizen of Canada or not, or served in the Canadian forces in World War I, was considered an enemy alien. Once again, Japanese-Canadians were the victims of a grave injustice as they were deprived of their comfort, possessions, and dignity. 1200 Japanese fishing boats were ordered to port immediately, 3 Japanese newspapers in Vancouver were shut down, 60 Japanese Schools in Vancouver were closed, and numerous cultural institutions were put to a halt.
Hours later, Hong Kong is attacked by the Japanese. Canadian troops are sent over to help defend the British colony. 500 Canadians were wounded, 290 killed, and 284 taken as prisoners of war (POWs). News of the murder, cruelty, and starvation of the POWs by the Japanese fuelled the hatred of the Japanese in Canada. When Canada declared war on Japan, the media began pushing out anti-Japanese war propaganda, associating the Japanese with brutal images. The public began to equate the enemy abroad with the Japanese-Canadians at home.
In accordance with the War Measures Act, all Japanese were labelled as enemy aliens. Curfews were imposed, and possessions such as firearms and radios were seized. Of the 23 000 nisei, more than 75% were Canadian citizens. They were stripped of their rights to freedom, trial by jury, and presumption of innocence. Everyone of Japanese descent had to register with the Registrar of Enemy Aliens. Akira's father, along with every other Japanese working in Canada, lost their jobs.
Photograph 8. A Japanese fishing boat is seized.
Japanese-Canadian porters who worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) were immediately fired after the Pearl Harbour attack as with many other industries. There was financial hardship within the Japanese-Canadian community.
For Akira, normal life came to an end.
Japanese-Canadian porters who worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) were immediately fired after the Pearl Harbour attack as with many other industries. There was financial hardship within the Japanese-Canadian community.
For Akira, normal life came to an end.
Photograph 9. Rising Sun flag.
The Rising Sun flag was the military flag of Japan. It was adopted as the national flag on January 27, 1870 under the Meiji Restoration, a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan by Emperor Meiji. As the flag was used in the conquest of East Asia and the war in the Pacific in World War II, it quickly became an offensive symbol of the enemy, especially with the anti-Japanese sentiment in Canada.
The Rising Sun flag was the military flag of Japan. It was adopted as the national flag on January 27, 1870 under the Meiji Restoration, a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan by Emperor Meiji. As the flag was used in the conquest of East Asia and the war in the Pacific in World War II, it quickly became an offensive symbol of the enemy, especially with the anti-Japanese sentiment in Canada.