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These 30 WWII Photos From Japanese Internment Camp Were Censored And Now Everyone Can See Them
In 1941 Pearl Harbour became the scene of a devasting surprise attack by Japanese forces. After decades of being on the edge of war with Japan, the attack pushed the US to join World War II. Not only did this attack took thousands of lives but also triggered racial prejudices towards Japanese-Americans which led to mass 'evacuation' of around 1200,000 people.
On February 19, 1942, just a couple months after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order to deport and incarcerate all Japanese-Americans. Thousands of people, many of whom were born in the US, were forced to abandon their houses, businesses, farms, and possessions. They were loaded into busses with only as many things as they can carry with no knowledge of where they're going and how long they're staying there.
A photographer Dorothea Lange who is probably best known for her photo titled Migrant Mother was hired by the US government to document the evacuation. The photographer perfectly captured the devastating moments of Japanese-Americans leaving their old lives behind and entering into the unknown. However, the military wasn't happy with Lange's opposing opinion of the internment camps. The photographs were seized from her and only made public in 2006. Today we finally have the opportunity to look back at this particular moment in history and see for our selves how the lives of Japanese-Americans were changed forever.
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#1
Original caption: Hayward, California. Members of the Mochida family awaiting evacuation bus. Identification tags are used to aid in keeping the family unit intact during all phases of evacuation. Mochida operated a nursery and five greenhouses on a two-acre site in Eden Township. He raised snapdragons and sweet peas. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.
Panda Baller 6 years ago
As someone who grew up all my life in the US this stuff was never mentioned in school about how poorly Japanese were treated and how much these "camps" were similar to the Jewish concentration camps minus some of the atrocities. It still breaks my heart. These families were robbed of their dignity and some of them still remember. Read up on your Asian American literature if you want to know more about these times.
Missie Gilreath 6 years ago
I live in California, very near Sonora and a town that is actually called Chinese Camp. It's disgusting how the Chinese were treated by my state.
Bing Taguines 6 years ago
At least these Japanese are safe.Most don’t know what the Japanese have done to the people in some Asian countries they occupied during the war. You are sad for them Max Harkins. I’m also so sad for the atrocities done by the Japanese in Asia during WW II
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#2
The full caption for this photograph reads: San Francisco, California. Many children of Japanese ancestry attended Raphael Weill public School, Geary and Buchanan Streets, prior to evacuation. This scene shows first- graders during flag pledge ceremony. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration. Provision will be effected for the continuance of education.
Jerry Mathers 6 years ago
Oh the irony here (especially the "with liberty and justice for all" part.
#3
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Third grade students working on their arithmetic lesson at this first volunteer elementary school. School equipment was not yet available at the time this photograph was taken.
Calypso poet 6 years ago
Wow, we were very cruel not that long ago and are still doing the same c r @ p.
#4
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Grandfather and grandson of Japanese ancestry at this War Relocation Authority center.
#5
The full caption for this photograph reads: Hayward, California. A farm girl helps unload family baggage in a final step before evacuation. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.
hashwadoobies 6 years ago
flipping images and videos is a way to get past copyright infringement.
Load More Replies... #6
The full caption for this photograph reads: Centerville, California. This youngster is awaiting evacuation bus. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.
Panda Baller 6 years ago
They lost everything they worked so hard for. Japanese people are proud of working hard and had to swallow false accusations of being traitors and spies. Some of these families were business owners and had long been since they where in their own homeland. They didn't have anyone left in Japan. Confused and scared.
Calypso poet 6 years ago
Kind of like a lot of Hispanic citizens are being held by ICE because they would rather deem them guilty than so a minor amount of legwork.
Load More Replies... #7
Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Little evacuee of Japanese ancestry gets a haircut.
#8
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Making camouflage nets for the War Department. This is one of several War and Navy Department projects carried on by persons of Japanese ancestry in relocation centers.
Megan Anderson 6 years ago
They were. Around $19/mo which was the highest one could get paid in the camp. The Sears catalog was very popular because you could order things like bedding and curtains to make make your ‘space’ more homey and live able. ‘Most incarcerees were employed at Manzanar to keep the camp running. Unskilled workers earned US$8 per month ($122.7 per month as of 2019), semi-skilled workers earned $12 per month ($184 per month as of 2019), skilled workers made $16 per month ($245 per month as of 2019), and professionals earned $19 per month ($291 per month as of 2019). In addition, all incarcerees received $3.60 per month ($55 per month as of 2019) as a clothing allowance.’
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Josurf 6 years ago
Oh... because they were not trustworthy to live in their own house, but trustworthy enough to help make war gear... ?
Frozengeckolover 6 years ago
I was thinking that too. That whole situation was just plain stupid.
Load More Replies... #9
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Evacuees enjoying the creek which flows along the outer border of this War Relocation Authority center.
Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
Dorothea Lange depicted these prisoners as mothers and children. By depicting their humanity, the viewer cannot escape the injustice of what is being done to human beings.
Load More Replies... #10
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. An elementary school with voluntary attendance has been established with volunteer teachers, most of whom are college graduates. These young evacuees are eager to learn and do not mind the lack of equipment.
Elena Popowitch 6 years ago
Do you suppose there's a reason they're all boys in these schoolroom photos?
Xoxo 6 years ago
Only boys got educations at that time. Girls didn't need one because they didn't go to work. They were only to stay and take care of the home. Crazy how the generational changes are between them and now. It was actually viewed as a waste of resources to educate a woman who would not use it.
Jennifer Crompton 6 years ago
This was the 1940s. Girls went to school then. Perhaps they separated the girls from the boys at school which wasn't uncommon then, but girls definitely went to school.
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Darlene Severn 6 years ago
I once knew a lady who was sent to Barstow with her family. They had NO books, their education was minimal at best. They used bound old newspapers for reading. Shameful.
#11
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. More land is being cleared of sage-brush at the southern end of the project at this War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry.
Marta Fleter 6 years ago
Yes actually. They where forced to build additional structures and camps. They where also forced to other chores as free man power for the third reich.
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#12
Scene of barrack homes at this War Relocation Authority Center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry. A hot windstorm brings dust from the surrounding desert.
#13
The full caption for this photograph reads: San Fransico, California. Street scene in Japanese quarter on day preceding evacuation to assembly center. Their household effects will be stored.
Gipsy Kings fan 6 years ago
The Japanese-Americans who were able to get their possessions back often had to face horribly unfair obstacles. From website of Fugetsu-Do mochi (sweet rice cake) shop in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, the oldest food establishment in L.A.: "Upon their return [from the internment camp], Roy and Kazuko [Kito] struggled to reestablish the family business. First, they had to retrieve their equipment, but the property owner demanded four years of back rent for storing it. When the Kitos couldn't pay, he kept their machinery. So, they slept at Koyasan Temple while Roy worked as a waiter making 20 cents an hour, but on Boy's Day, May 5, 1946, he re-opened Fugetsu-Do on East First Street..." http://www.fugetsu-do.com/history.htm
Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
Those that are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. Take note people.
Weim Central 6 years ago
Nope - the caption is only partially true. Yes, this is the "day preceding" but because they were only given 24 hours to liquidate their assets before being shipped off to the concentration camps. Sound familiar to anyone?
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THEPS 6 years ago
At least their belongings were stored and not stolen like the Nazis stole the Jew's possessions.
Darlene Severn 6 years ago
Mostly they had nothing to return to. Property was taken for "back taxes" stored items were either outright stolen or sold off to pay for "storage" - sentiment was not good towards anyone who was of Japanese decent.
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#14
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. A typical interior scene in one of the barrack apartments at this center. Note the cloth partition which lends a small amount of privacy.
Pamula Furness 6 years ago
I'm shocked at the treatment of these people, and at how dignified and organised they were. War really does bring out the worst, and the best, in people!
#15
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. The first grave at the Manzanar Center's cemetery. It is that of Matsunosuke Murakami, 62, who died of heart disease on May 16. He had been ill ever since he arrived here with the first contingent and had been confined to the hospital since March 23.
Max Harkins 6 years ago
RIP Matsunosuke Murakami may he lay forever in peace in the arms of the Almighty Father.
#16
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Evacuees watching a baseball game at this War Relocation Authority center. This is a very popular recreation with 80 teams having been formed throughout the Center. Most of the playing is done between the blocks of barracks in the firebreak space.
#17
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. View of the Manzanar Relocation Center showing the buildings (right) where camouflage nets are made.
Max Harkins 6 years ago
I know this is bad, but this is also strangely impressive. The organized manner is astounding. It is so efficient, and so effective. For a bad purpose, however. Brilliantly designed, tho.
Chris Miilu 6 years ago
Their assets were frozen; their homes were looted; they were located far from where they were born and raised. I worked with a man who was raised in So. Cal.; his family was relocated to Montana; they lost everything. He never got over his anger and bitterness about how his parents were treated. My grandfather whose ranch bordered a Japanese farm protected a Japanese home and farm from looters with a sign which said that looters would be shot. I don't know if he owned a shotgun, but it worked; he was a big man known in the community. The family returned after the war, but they didn't stay. This was a shameful time. FDR later offered reimbursement for the losses, not all families accepted the money.
#18
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Johnny Fukazawa, evcauee of Japanese ancestry at this War Relocation Authority center, weeding corn in the farm project.
Max Harkins 6 years ago
This is so horrifying. These people were paid, but not that much for the tedious work they do.
Agnes Jekyll 6 years ago
backbreaking work. Many Japanese from the BC coast were relocated in Manitoba and Quebec to work gruellingly long days
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#19
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Young sixth-grade students studying their lessons in the shade of the barracks at this first voluntary elementary school.
diane a 6 years ago (edited)
They didn't but at least they were safe for the duration. Who knows what revenge or large scale abuse of these innocent people could have happened in the wider community as the war progressed. Plus they look healthy and well cared for. I do like to think it was partly for their own safety - could see lynchings otherwise.
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Curry on... 5 years ago
So far, none of these pictures have shown the armed guard towers and barbed wire fences.
Bing Taguines 6 years ago
At least these Japanese are safe.Most don’t know what the Japanese have done to the people in some Asian countries they occupied during the war. You are sad for them Max Harkins. I’m also so sad for the atrocities done by the Japanese in Asia during WW II
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
Two wrongs don't make one right. These people also had no ties left to Japan in thr first place.
Load More Replies... #20
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Mary Uyesato, trained laboratory assistant at work in the medical center at this War Relocation Authority Center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry.
seriously tho 6 years ago
oh my goodness, look how skinny she is, they probably didn't have decent food and were overworked
#21
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Mealtime in one of the messhalls at this War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry.
#22
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Evacuees enjoying games under the shade of trees near the creek which flows through the desert on the border of this War Relocation Authrority center.
#23
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. The two youngest of the 65 evacuee orphans in the Childrens' Village at this War Relocation Authrority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry.
Katchen 6 years ago
If they’re orphans, why did they need to be relocated? Did anyone think these babies were spying for Japan?
Eniko Bata 6 years ago
I guess for the same reason as Jewish babies were killed during WWII in Nazi Germany. The said it’s in their genes. Plus who would have raised them?:(
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Rainbow_Gal05 6 years ago
Poor little babies :(( They are so adorable I really hope they found their forever home
#24
The full caption for this photograph reads: Sacramento, California. Typical homes of residents of Japanese ancestry. Evacuation to assembly centers is due in a few days and preparations are now under way.
#25
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Evacuees enjoying the creek which flows along the outer border of this War Relocation Authority center.
#26
The full caption for this photograph reads: San Francisco, California. Residents of Japanese ancestry appear for registration prior to evacuation. Evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.
#27
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. A complete record, by personal interview, is being made of every evacuee of Japanese ancestry at this War Relocation Authority center.
#28
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. These young evacuees are attending the first elementary school at this War Relocation Authority center. There are six grades with volunteer teachers and voluntary attendance.
Michele Ottone 6 years ago
Here are girls, too. Which proves icorrect the theory of girls not being educated.
#29
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Making camouflage nets for the War Department. This is one of several War and Navy Department projects carried on by persons of Japanese ancestry in relocation centers.
Swolfy TDP 6 years ago
It is bad, but they were also in legitimate danger of being attacked by the public.
Load More Replies... #30
The full caption for this photograph reads: Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. An elementary school with voluntary attendance has been established with volunteer evacuee teachers, most of whom are college graduates. No school equipment is as yet obtainable and available tables and benches are used.
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What do you think ?
M. Mole 6 years ago
My father and his family were sent to Minidoka in Idaho from Seattle, WA. Ironically his older brother (14 years apart) actually was serving in the US Army at the time as an infantry man. My grandmother had photos that I believe are now in the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, showing the before, during, and after. My father says he remembers that one morning, he woke up to the gates being wide open and the US soldiers that were guarding the camp, were gone. All those interred had to find their own way back to Washington and Oregon. It wasn't until 1988 that the US signed the Civil Liberties Act to compensate more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. The legislation offered a formal apology and paid out $20,000 in compensation to each surviving victim. Sadly, my grandfather never got to see this.
Weim Central 6 years ago
Cannot stand how they use the term "evacuee" - but alas it's typical war propaganda.
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Aunt Messy 6 years ago
The items that were “stored” were picked over and stolen or sold. The houses that these families had worked for years (or a couple of generations) to own were sold to Anglo families and the money taken by the state. ...///... There’s an excellent book written years ago by a Canadian author about his and his family’s experience in relocation camps. His name is David Suzuki.
PaulV 6 years ago
I am not of this era, but I wish I could have done something for them. I would have a Japanese-American neighbor sign their property to me. I'd take care of it until they got back. That would be my solemn promise.
Load More Replies...
Alexandru Bucur 6 years ago
Ah yes. Let's call them "evacuation" and "relocation" to pretend this wasn't what it was, which was "deportation", followed by "internment"... The utter irony is this was done out of sheer racism and xenophobia, disguised as a factual military necessity, because the vast majority of these people considered themselves US citizens and would have volunteered to fight in the US army. Even if, let's say, you didn't trust them to fight against the Japanese, they could have just sent them to Europe instead...
M. Mole 6 years ago
Many WERE/ARE US citizens, and many of the Japanese-American Males even volunteered to serve in the US militaries during WWII. My uncle served the US Army while his parents and little brother were interred for 4 years of their lives, and he was sent to Panama.
Load More Replies...
MoonBeam 6 years ago
The photos I want to see is how their own neighbors looted their houses and properties after they were "relocated". It shows how horrible Americans can be and sometimes still are.
Holly Hofmann 6 years ago
As a native Californian, it never ceases to amaze me how little we were taught about this in School. I can remember a very vague brush over the topic. It was only as an adult that I learned truly what happened.
Frozengeckolover 6 years ago
I didn't learn this at all in school. I found out, as an adult, when I heard George Takei talk about his experience in the camps.
Load More Replies... Jerry Mathers 6 years ago
I'm guessing this is the "Great" America that trump and his followers were hoping for (see Mexico border).
Agnes Pethes 6 years ago
I'm wondering why film makers of Hollywood never touched this story before. Or did they? To be honest, living far in Central-Europe I've never heard about this historical event before. Beside the fact that it reminds me to the deportation of Jewish people, also resembles to the Beneš decrees that associated with the 1945-47 deportation of about 3 million ethnic Germans and Hungarians from Czechoslovakia based on the term "collective guilt".
Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago
ah yes, the BLATANT racism of the US government, against it's own citizens, and *legal* immigrants, solely due to their ethnicity. The sickening hypocrisy of a nation / government that constantly puts themselves upon a high horse, declaring "All (men) are created equal".... unless they delcare otherwise.
Full Name 6 years ago
They didn't just pick a random ancestry, they chose the one (and only one) who ever directly attacked them. You're making it seem like they just decided to hate a group one day at random. Agree or disagree with the camps all you want, but it certainly wasn't random racism.
Load More Replies...
Alex K 6 years ago
We're all living in Amerika, Amerika ist wunderbar We're all living in Amerika, Amerika, Amerika
Purple light 6 years ago
For the people downvotimg this: It is a ironic Rammstein lyric
Load More Replies...
Doober 6 years ago
Because the photographer, Dorothea Lange, captured the strength and dignity of the Japanese American people. The US government's vile intent to capture the images of savages and terrorists backfired when the images they commissioned portrayed the complete opposite so, basically, the government decided to "censor" these photos to save face.
Load More Replies... M. Mole 6 years ago
My father and his family were sent to Minidoka in Idaho from Seattle, WA. Ironically his older brother (14 years apart) actually was serving in the US Army at the time as an infantry man. My grandmother had photos that I believe are now in the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, showing the before, during, and after. My father says he remembers that one morning, he woke up to the gates being wide open and the US soldiers that were guarding the camp, were gone. All those interred had to find their own way back to Washington and Oregon. It wasn't until 1988 that the US signed the Civil Liberties Act to compensate more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. The legislation offered a formal apology and paid out $20,000 in compensation to each surviving victim. Sadly, my grandfather never got to see this.
Weim Central 6 years ago
Cannot stand how they use the term "evacuee" - but alas it's typical war propaganda.
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 6 years ago
The items that were “stored” were picked over and stolen or sold. The houses that these families had worked for years (or a couple of generations) to own were sold to Anglo families and the money taken by the state. ...///... There’s an excellent book written years ago by a Canadian author about his and his family’s experience in relocation camps. His name is David Suzuki.
PaulV 6 years ago
I am not of this era, but I wish I could have done something for them. I would have a Japanese-American neighbor sign their property to me. I'd take care of it until they got back. That would be my solemn promise.
Load More Replies... Alexandru Bucur 6 years ago
Ah yes. Let's call them "evacuation" and "relocation" to pretend this wasn't what it was, which was "deportation", followed by "internment"... The utter irony is this was done out of sheer racism and xenophobia, disguised as a factual military necessity, because the vast majority of these people considered themselves US citizens and would have volunteered to fight in the US army. Even if, let's say, you didn't trust them to fight against the Japanese, they could have just sent them to Europe instead...
M. Mole 6 years ago
Many WERE/ARE US citizens, and many of the Japanese-American Males even volunteered to serve in the US militaries during WWII. My uncle served the US Army while his parents and little brother were interred for 4 years of their lives, and he was sent to Panama.
Load More Replies... MoonBeam 6 years ago
The photos I want to see is how their own neighbors looted their houses and properties after they were "relocated". It shows how horrible Americans can be and sometimes still are.
Holly Hofmann 6 years ago
As a native Californian, it never ceases to amaze me how little we were taught about this in School. I can remember a very vague brush over the topic. It was only as an adult that I learned truly what happened.
Frozengeckolover 6 years ago
I didn't learn this at all in school. I found out, as an adult, when I heard George Takei talk about his experience in the camps.
Load More Replies... Jerry Mathers 6 years ago
I'm guessing this is the "Great" America that trump and his followers were hoping for (see Mexico border).
Agnes Pethes 6 years ago
I'm wondering why film makers of Hollywood never touched this story before. Or did they? To be honest, living far in Central-Europe I've never heard about this historical event before. Beside the fact that it reminds me to the deportation of Jewish people, also resembles to the Beneš decrees that associated with the 1945-47 deportation of about 3 million ethnic Germans and Hungarians from Czechoslovakia based on the term "collective guilt".
Pseudo Puppy 6 years ago
ah yes, the BLATANT racism of the US government, against it's own citizens, and *legal* immigrants, solely due to their ethnicity. The sickening hypocrisy of a nation / government that constantly puts themselves upon a high horse, declaring "All (men) are created equal".... unless they delcare otherwise.
Full Name 6 years ago
They didn't just pick a random ancestry, they chose the one (and only one) who ever directly attacked them. You're making it seem like they just decided to hate a group one day at random. Agree or disagree with the camps all you want, but it certainly wasn't random racism.
Load More Replies... Alex K 6 years ago
We're all living in Amerika, Amerika ist wunderbar We're all living in Amerika, Amerika, Amerika
Purple light 6 years ago
For the people downvotimg this: It is a ironic Rammstein lyric
Load More Replies... Doober 6 years ago
Because the photographer, Dorothea Lange, captured the strength and dignity of the Japanese American people. The US government's vile intent to capture the images of savages and terrorists backfired when the images they commissioned portrayed the complete opposite so, basically, the government decided to "censor" these photos to save face.
Load More Replies...
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