Introduction: Early Japanese Immigrants to Canada
Japanese people have had a very vivid history in Canada. Before 1868, it was illegal for Japanese citizens to leave the country, but with a change in government in the 1870s, they were encouraged to travel overseas to earn money and learn skills that they could bring home, as Japan in the early 20th century did not hold a lot of opportunity, especially in rural areas. In many cases, they were barely making a living, struggling with famine and disease.
Photograph 2. Japanese immigrants on a ship headed for Canada.
Who were the Japanese immigrants?
In the late 1870s, thousands of Japanese people came to Canada as fishermen, farmers, lumber mill workers, and businessmen. They were mainly young men in their teens. Some followed their fathers, had dreams of fortune and success in the new lands, or were desperate to escape the oppressive poverty in Japan. Many were known as draft dodgers, meaning that they were deliberately avoiding the two years of military service in Japan, made mandatory to all males once they reached the age of 20.
Akira's father was part of the issei, or the first generation Japanese immigrants. He immigrated to Stevenston, British Columbia, and began working hard for long hours as a fisherman. In fact, the Japanese immigrants' talent for fishing was quickly recognized, putting them in high demand. They were paid less than the average white Canadian. Akira's mother immigrated to Canada in 1911. Japanese women on the other hand, began immigrating starting from 1908 until 1928. As many of the first male immigrants were single, they would send a photo home to family members so that they could find a wife. Thus, many of these first Japanese female immigrants were considered picture brides.
At first, Japanese-Canadian immigrants struggled, both economically and politically. There was already widespread anti-Asian feelings in British Columbia to begin with, so the increased immigration was even less welcoming by the British majority in Canada. The Japanese faced legislated racism, unfair living and working conditions, and a population that wanted them gone. The formation of the Asiatic Exclusion League was a result of this racism, as Asians in general were seen as a threat to white Canadians' jobs and cultures.
Eventually, the Japanese immigrants gained their independence and economic strength. They saved enough money to buy their own fishing boats and farms, and had success with fish-packing, construction, retail, lumber, and boat building businesses. Some started their own fishing and farming cooperatives.
Japanese people have had a very vivid history in Canada. Before 1868, it was illegal for Japanese citizens to leave the country, but with a change in government in the 1870s, they were encouraged to travel overseas to earn money and learn skills that they could bring home, as Japan in the early 20th century did not hold a lot of opportunity, especially in rural areas. In many cases, they were barely making a living, struggling with famine and disease.
Photograph 2. Japanese immigrants on a ship headed for Canada.
Who were the Japanese immigrants?
In the late 1870s, thousands of Japanese people came to Canada as fishermen, farmers, lumber mill workers, and businessmen. They were mainly young men in their teens. Some followed their fathers, had dreams of fortune and success in the new lands, or were desperate to escape the oppressive poverty in Japan. Many were known as draft dodgers, meaning that they were deliberately avoiding the two years of military service in Japan, made mandatory to all males once they reached the age of 20.
Akira's father was part of the issei, or the first generation Japanese immigrants. He immigrated to Stevenston, British Columbia, and began working hard for long hours as a fisherman. In fact, the Japanese immigrants' talent for fishing was quickly recognized, putting them in high demand. They were paid less than the average white Canadian. Akira's mother immigrated to Canada in 1911. Japanese women on the other hand, began immigrating starting from 1908 until 1928. As many of the first male immigrants were single, they would send a photo home to family members so that they could find a wife. Thus, many of these first Japanese female immigrants were considered picture brides.
At first, Japanese-Canadian immigrants struggled, both economically and politically. There was already widespread anti-Asian feelings in British Columbia to begin with, so the increased immigration was even less welcoming by the British majority in Canada. The Japanese faced legislated racism, unfair living and working conditions, and a population that wanted them gone. The formation of the Asiatic Exclusion League was a result of this racism, as Asians in general were seen as a threat to white Canadians' jobs and cultures.
Eventually, the Japanese immigrants gained their independence and economic strength. They saved enough money to buy their own fishing boats and farms, and had success with fish-packing, construction, retail, lumber, and boat building businesses. Some started their own fishing and farming cooperatives.
Photograph 3. A Japanese-Canadian soldier smiling during World War I.
World War I broke out on July 28, 2914, dragging Canada in with her British mother land. Although Japanese-Canadians were not allowed to enlist in British Columbia, they were accepted in every other part of Canada. In 1917, Akira's father travelled to Alberta and enlisted, joining the 196 Japanese men who did the same. By the end of the war, 54 Japanese-Canadians died fighting for Canada.
World War I played a significant role for many Japanese-Canadians to winning the vote. After more than two decades after the war, surviving World War I veterans finally won this right in 1931. The Japanese Canadian Citizens League was formed in 1936 to fight for Canadian citizenship and get the vote for all Japanese-Canadians. The delegation was denied in Ottawa.
World War I broke out on July 28, 2914, dragging Canada in with her British mother land. Although Japanese-Canadians were not allowed to enlist in British Columbia, they were accepted in every other part of Canada. In 1917, Akira's father travelled to Alberta and enlisted, joining the 196 Japanese men who did the same. By the end of the war, 54 Japanese-Canadians died fighting for Canada.
World War I played a significant role for many Japanese-Canadians to winning the vote. After more than two decades after the war, surviving World War I veterans finally won this right in 1931. The Japanese Canadian Citizens League was formed in 1936 to fight for Canadian citizenship and get the vote for all Japanese-Canadians. The delegation was denied in Ottawa.