by Ruth Sasaki
“…resettlers were cautioned to ‘maintain a low profile, speak only in English, and stay away from other Japanese Americans.’”
In the fall of 1942, the War Relocation Authority (WRA), the federal agency in charge of the Japanese American internment program, began planning what Densho Encyclopedia calls an “ethnic dispersal program”1—more commonly referred to as “resettlement.” Japanese Americans deemed “loyal” (by a somewhat arbitrary and extremely questionable process) could apply for leave from camp in order to work or study, as long as it was outside the declared military zone of the West Coast. The application process was arduous. “In order to relocate, Japanese Americans had to secure an outside sponsor, furnish proof of employment or education, and submit themselves to FBI background checks.”
As the process was gradually streamlined, a growing number of educated young Nisei (second generation) internees left camp. Many relocated to Chicago.
As part of the WRA’s resettlement program’s objective, the assimilation of Japanese Americans into mainstream white society, resettlers were cautioned to “maintain a low profile, speak only in English, and stay away from other Japanese Americans.” In some cases, these guidelines would have chilling and long-term consequences. In others, as indicated in the following letter excerpts, the guidelines would prove to be completely unrealistic and summarily ignored:
September 25, 1943
To Tomiko Sasaki, in Topaz
From a Nisei friend en route to Chicago
What a jerky train—hope you could make this out. It’s a local train from Omaha to Chicago… Had Toshiko Tekawa with me as far as Omaha, she transferred to a train for Huron, S. Dakota, going to Huron College to take up educating the blind. I certainly admire her courage…
We stood around to SLC (Salt Lake City) in one of the newer coaches to make sure we’d get a comfortable seat to sleep on. Couldn’t get much sleep.
Also, not much food in the train so tell people leaving to bring something to eat—things that won’t spoil in the heat like fruits & hard-boiled eggs are O.K. Stations usually sell box lunches. Last nite we walked thru 15 cars to the diner but no food left…
My brother met me at SLC…
At Ogden, Mickey & Kimi met me & had a swell reunion with them for ½ hr….
At Cheyenne, I got in touch with Noboru. It sure was exciting to see him after over a year. He wanted to know all about his friends in camp. We had about ½ hr. together. I didn’t know how to get in touch with him. I only knew he worked in a jewelry store so I looked in the directory & found out there was about 10 stores. Well, I decided to try a few & got him on the third trial. Was just about giving up as I didn’t think I had much time. The place he works started with an F and was quite near the station so he got off & came down to meet me…
Will let you know more later. Hope you are all well & be sure to write…
1 Megan Asaka. “Resettlement,” Densho Encyclopedia https://encyclopedia.densho.org/Resettlement/ (accessed Mar 8 2018).
About the contributor: Ruth Sasaki was born and raised in San Francisco after the War. The Takahashis, her mother’s family, were incarcerated in Tanforan and Topaz. A graduate of UC Berkeley (BA) and SF State (MA), she has lived in England and Japan. Her short story “The Loom” won the American Japanese National Literary Award, and her collection, The Loom and Other Stories, was published in 1991 by Graywolf Press. She shares her more recent writing via her website: www.rasasaki.com.
Copyright 2018, R. A. Sasaki. All rights reserved.
I would like to read more stories of early resettlement after the war, especially those who went to the east coast and mid U.S.
Thanks for your input, Henry. To date we have focused mainly on experiences in Topaz, with a few stories (such as Michiko Mukai’s “A Topaz Childhood” following incarcerees home to the West Coast). One story that touches on a Topaz family that permanently resettled in New England is “Letter to a Nisei Son.” Yosh (the “Nisei son” of the letter) and his wife Nobu were among the founders of the Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund, established by Nisei who benefited from the program during the War. The fund provides support to students from underserved communities.
In the future, we would be happy to include stories that track Topaz families to new lives in the Midwest or East Coast. If you have any referrals, please let us know.
Ruth