Partial Transcript: San Bernardino did not have good farming soil. Previously yams and sweet potatoes are grown by the Japanese farmers. However, the Japanese farmers moved to Coachella Valley because they can make more profit there. Riverside is a better farming area too. Another job source in San Bernardino is labor workers. James recalls attending Japanese School for two to three years.

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Keywords: childhood activities; employment; Issei; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James recalls Japanese School. He only speaks half Japanese and English to his Issei parents. His parents did not speak English, but his father knows a little bit for business purposes. Before Pearl Harbor, James is aware of the war in Europe.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At the Kobayashi's restaurant, it is business as usual. However, in the days following Pearl Harbor, there are fewer customers. James says there is a curfew in place. In San Bernardino, there is not a lot of Japanese Americans; therefore, there are not too many effects.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: curfew; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James says there is no support nor people against the Japanese Americans in San Bernardino after the Pearl Harbor attack. He recalls the notification for evacuation. To prepare to go to camp, the Kobayashi family has to sell their restaurant. After the restaurant is sold, they move temporarily to a Japanese Church. One of the regulations for camp is you can only bring "what you can carry." For all the non-essentials, the Kobayashi family placed them into storage. James remembers only packing clothes for himself. On the day of the evacuation, they assemble at the Japanese Church and are taken by bus to Poston, Arizona (four-hour ride). Unlike other Japanese Americans who live in Los Angeles, those residences are taken to an Assembly Center - Santa Anita before going to camp.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; camp; Executive Order 9066; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Poston; prejudices; Santa Anita; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James recalls arriving at Poston in the springtime. The camp has barb wires and guards stationed outside. He says the barracks are empty. Everyone has to get their bed and mattress. The camp area is divided into blocks. Each block has a restroom and shower (one for men and one for women). James describes his family's living conditions. He says the space is small with bunk beds, no sink, and no bathroom. The water source is a facet outside, and there is a mess hall for eating.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: barracks; Executive Order 9066; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James recalls being able to sneak out of camp and going to the Colorado River. At camp, James works in the kitchen and then construction. James helps with building the buildings. James says it is not hard work, and the pay is eight dollars a month. After a year, James left camp to work on a farm in Utah, a canary, and a sugar beet factory. At Poston, he recalls there are social dances.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Executive Order 9066; farming; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Poston; prejudices; racism; social activities; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James recalls the dances at Poston are fun. At camp, there is an opportunity to leave and go to Utah to work on a farm. James decides to go with six other Nisei. James says Utah is nice, and there is no prejudice. In Utah, James and the other six Nisei lives in a small cabin. After Utah, James goes to Chicago for a different work opportunity.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Executive Order 9066; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Poston; social activities

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Partial Transcript: After finishing work in Utah, James returns to Poston. He has another opportunity to leave camp and he goes to Chicago. James shares his sentiments about city life. To save money he lives in a small apartment with six other people. James is labeled as 1A (a draftee). This limits him finding a good job because of the possibility of being drafted into service. However, he does find work at a few places one being at Life Magazine. While living in Chicago, James is drafted into the Army and takes his physical. He returns to Poston and before going to basic training.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: camp; employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei; prejudices; racism; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James describes his family's reaction to his draft notice to the Army. He takes his basic training in Florida. The basic training is shortened to eight weeks (basic training is 16 weeks) because the German soldiers break the French Line. James is shipped overseas to go to the European Theater. In basic training, his specialty is riflemen.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; 442nd Regimental Combat Team; European Theater; France; German soldiers; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Poston; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: James discusses basic training. Overseas, the hardest part is walking for James. He is not used to that much walking, but he eventually adapted to it. Before going overseas, he goes to New Jersey to board a ship (fourth-largest ship) to go to England. The trip takes about four to five days. James lands in Northern Europe and takes a train south to France.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; France; front line; Japanese Americans; travel; World War Two

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