Partial Transcript: Ken discusses his business and wanting to have his store located in a diverse community. Ken also wants to contribute to the Japanese American Community, and for the community to know him. Ken takes on a student, Dick Brady to repair watches. Eventually, Dick opens a watch store of his own.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses moving his watch store to a different location and interacting with customers. Ken says he shares his war experiences with some of his customers if they are willing to listen. Ken says there is one customer that will not acknowledge the contribution of the Nisei during World War Two.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Executive Order 9066; incarceration camps; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Nisei veterans; post-war; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses the transition from living in Okmulgee, OK, to Chicago, IL. His mother gives him words of comfort in adjusting to a new environment. Ken says his mother is smart. His mother immigrated from Japan to Oklahoma and she has to learn how to adjust herself. Ken reflects on the war experience. Although his life has been through changes, Ken maintains to be himself. He is not social but likes to make friends. He is not interested in sports yet watches a golf game on occasions.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; friendship; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Mainland; rural communities; sports; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses a philosophy he follows since junior high school. Ken learns about Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance", and Henry David Thoreau. Ken says simplify your life. The more possessions you have, the more you have to worry about. Ken suggests not to listen to too many people, be honest, and have integrity. With honestly, and integrity people cannot hurt you.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; Sansei; World War Two; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: Growing up, Ken thinks everyone feels the same. However, it is not true. Ken recalls how he is raised by his Issei parents and raises his children the same way. Ken's first child is born in 1938. Ken feels he will have a new outlook on life. Ken educates himself on children's psychology and child growth. Ken says when a child turns five years old, their mind has developed decisions and thoughts of their own on the world around them. After having his first child, Ken decides to shorten his workdays at the store.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; child rearing; children; family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Ken says everyone is different if they want to share their wartime experiences. After opening a watch store, Ken changes his career to electronics. The transistor is developed in 1937, and Ken is interested in the transistor. Ken does not have schooling to work with transistors and calls a customer with who he befriends for help. Aki introduces Ken to Western Electric Company for a job.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; post-war; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses Western Electronic Company and takes a test. Ken passes the test and starts his new career working with transistors for six years. Ken then works at a Sewage Treatment Facility in Cook County, Chicago. He works as a janitor for five years. Ken learns there is a course offered in instrument mechanics and goes to school for three years. Ken's next job is as an instrument mechanic.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; education; employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: When Ken joins the Sanitary District, Ken's goal is to become an instrument mechanic. Ken works as an instrument mechanic for five years. If you want a permanent position, you have to take an exam and pass to be certified. For three months, Ken locks up boats until he can retire. In October, a new law passes for service retirement, and Ken retires at 65 years old.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Kens describes the photos from his service. The first photo is Ken in his uniform. The second photo is of Ken with his younger brother. The third photo is from an annual picnic in Oklahoma. The fourth photo is of Ken's father (1915). The fifth photo is Ken with longtime friend Woody Wilson in Canada (1992). The sixth photo is from Ken's school years in 1935 (sixth grade).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; family; farm; farming; friendship; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; primary school; World War Two

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