Akira Otani oral history interview, part 1 of 2, January 16, 2009

0:00 - Introduction; family background

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Keywords: Hawaiian soldiers; Honolulu; island; Oshima; Yamaguchi

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1:15 - Describing his father's life in Japan

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Keywords: education; island; Issei; Oshima; rural communities

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3:00 - Discussing father's decision to leave Japan

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Keywords: Hawaii; immigration; Korea; recruitment

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6:22 - Discussing his mother

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Keywords: Hawaiian Nisei; Oshima; Yamaguchi

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7:12 - Describes childhood neighborhood and experiences

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Keywords: employment; fish industry; Issei; Japanese language school; living conditions; primary school

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10:18 - Describes Japanese language school

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Keywords: childhood; education

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11:38 - Discussing home life

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Keywords: employment; Issei; mother; Nisei; siblings

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12:51 - Discussing life right before the war started

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Keywords: construction; higher education; Honolulu; University of Hawaii

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15:04 - Discussing recollections of Pearl Harbor attack

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Keywords: aircraft; business; celebration; food; reception; shells

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17:10 - Discussing aftermath of Pearl Harbor attack

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Keywords: arrest; brother; FBI

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19:41 - Describing FBI taking away his father

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Keywords: arrest; community leaders; Issei; Japanese identity and values

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22:00 - Discussing Territorial Guard service

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Keywords: patriotism; ROTC; University of Hawaii; vounteer

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24:28 - Describes Territory Guard

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Keywords: civic organization; Hawaii; Pearl Harbor aftermath; volunteer

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28:05 - Discussing his duration in Territorial Guards

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Keywords: 4C; enemy alien; Japanese identity and values; patriotism; race discrimination

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30:09 - Discussing aftermath of Territorial Guard dismissal

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Keywords: higher education; Japanese Americans; military service; ROTC; YMCA

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32:37 - Describes the Victory Varsity Volunteers duties

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Partial Transcript: audio disturbance 34:06

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Keywords: 1399 Engineer Construction Battalion; Japanese American soldiers; Schofield Barracks

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36:20 - Discussing shipping out for basic training

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Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; military supplies; military training; ship; train; travel

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39:05 - Discussing basic training

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Keywords: Camp Shelby; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; military training

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41:08 - Discussing his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) training

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Keywords: Fort Snelling; Japanese language school; Military Intelligence Service Language School; MISLS

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43:18 - Discussing visiting his father in incarceration camp

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Keywords: Amache; Japan; Presidio Monterey; Seattle; train

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45:25 - Discussing getting his father settled

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Keywords: Issei; missionary; Presidio Monterey; reunion; spouse

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47:46 - Discussing journey to Japan

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Keywords: family; Hawaii; Japanese American soldiers; mail carrier; Philippines; plane

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50:34 - Discussing experience in Philippines en route to Tokyo

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Keywords: Filipino; Haole; Japanese identity and values; protection; race discrimination

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51:39 - Describes initial impressions of Japan

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Keywords: civilians; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese identity and values; living conditions; military occupation

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54:08 - Discussing visiting Japanese citizens

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Keywords: businessman; fishing industry; food; Issei parents; Japanese identity and values

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