Partial Transcript: After the occupation of Japan, Hitoshi stays for several more years. He sees the reconstruction of Japan and describes the progress. Hitoshi says General MacArthur and the US military plays a big part in the rebuilding after the war.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi's memorable experience in Japan is climbing Mount Fuji with Sam, a Hawaiian soldier, and Takahashi (works in war crimes). He describes his journey climbing up the mountain and seeing the sunrise. Hitoshi says he made a mistake by carrying a backpack. All they needed is a canteen of water. At Mount Fuji, he sees an elderly couple, and they say take step by step. He also sees an Army Major resting.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: After years of being in Japan, Hitoshi and his wife travel on an Army transport ship to the United States. The war brides are in the cabin area, and the rest of the passengers are at the bottom. The journey takes thirteen days to arrive in Seattle, WA. Dave Yokozeki's wife, Aiko, is a war bride. She is Chinese but was born and raised in Japan. On the trip, Hitoshi's wife and Aiko befriend another war bride who is a Japanese actress. She is married to a US Army Lieutenant and traveling alone to the United States. The war brides then go to the immigration center for three days.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; travel; wedding

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi and his wife go to Altadena, CA, where his sister lives. Hitoshi receives 5220, twenty dollars a month for fifty-two weeks. Then he decides to take a civil service exam for a store helper and passes the exam. Hitoshi earns one hundred sixty-six dollars a month. Hitoshi feels it will be hard to make a living with this job. Therefore, he decides to return to school at USC in the evenings. At work, Hitoshi takes promotional exams and passes. Hitoshi ends up staying with the County of Los Angeles for 38 years and receives many promotions. He retires in 1983 from the standardization department as Supervisor Deputy.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; siblings

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Partial Transcript: (Interview pauses at 12 minutes, 56 seconds. Resumes at 13 minutes, 15 seconds) Hitoshi helps his wife, Utako, get a domestic job to help immerse her in the English language. Hitoshi would drop off Utako at the McDonald Home in Altadena. Mr. McDonald owns a franchise of the Ford dealerships in Pasadena. Hitoshi is worried Mrs. McDonald would not like Utako because her son is killed in the South Pacific. However, everyone is fond of Utako. Hitoshi gives an example of Utako learning about ice cubes. When Mr. McDonald retires, he asks if they can take Utako with them to Minnesota. However, Hitoshi says no because he is married to her. Hitoshi enrolls Utako in English classes at his old grammar school to further her English skills. Hitoshi himself continues night school until he gets a higher promotion at work.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi and Utako have one daughter, Linda, and their second daughter passed away at birth. Linda has a happy childhood. She attends junior college before going to the University of Southern California. While attending school, Linda also works a part-time job at Keiro Nursing Home. She graduates with a degree in occupational therapy and become a Registered Occupational Therapist. After graduation, Linda is a contractor with Keiro until a big corporation takes over. Later she becomes an Independent Occupational Therapist, CATS. Linda is happily married to an Investigator with the FDIC.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: children; family; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: After Lomita, Hitoshi's brother-in-law moves to Altadena. His brother-in-law works for Scripps Kellogg, and a house is provided for them. Hitoshi's sister starts growing flowers mainly, Mums. When Hitoshi and his wife arrive in the United States, they live with his older sister for a few months. Later, Hitoshi buys a home and has his Issei parent live with him. Later, Hitoshi moves to Altadena and has been there since 1968.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi does not recall facing discrimination. He knows he has been overlooked on several civil service exams. However, Hitoshi cannot argue with the decision management can choose from the top three. Post-war, Hitoshi notices Pasadena has become an exclusively Caucasian neighborhood. When the Wada family and Hitoshi's family moved to the Pasadena area, he says many for-sale signs appeared. Later more Japanese families moved into the neighborhood. Hitoshi reflects on camp time and wonders what if camp did not occur. Growing up, Hitoshi learns a lot about Japan from his Issei parents. He has dreams of going to Japan and working in International Foreign Trade. Hitoshi says he does not want to think of the what-ifs. The accomplishments he has already done in his life are what he should be doing anyway.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; draft; Executive Order 9066; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; prejudices; race discrimination; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi's message to future generations is to live a good life. Be kind to others and show compassion. Be honest with yourself. Be worthy of what you are doing and take responsibility as you should. Hitoshi reflects on his friend, Joe Hayashi. They grow up together and shared everything. When Joe is fifteen years old, he goes to work with his father, a gardener, and Hitoshi (fourteen years old) comes along. After that day, Hitoshi said he would not be a gardener. The work is laboring. Joe and Hitoshi do many other activities together like raising pigeons, newspaper routes, kendo, and boys scout.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; friendship; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; Sansei; sports; Yonsei; youth organizations

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Partial Transcript: In 1949, Joe's remains is returned to the United States. Joe's funeral service is at the Historic Building (Nishi Hongwanji Temple) in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA. Hitoshi recalls the Hayashi family asking Hitoshi to give the eulogy. Hitoshi remains in contact with Joe's siblings and learns Joe receives the Medal of Honor. Hitoshi is so happy and proud of the Hayashi family. Hitoshi recalls the news of his friend Henry Kondo's passing from his mother. Before Hitoshi retires, he told himself he has to do something to give back to the community and his friends. Therefore he becomes very active post-war with community organizations. Hitoshi joins the Optimist Clubs to work with the youths. One of the programs he is involved in is the "just say no" program for drugs. Hitoshi has been with the program for 25 years. Hitoshi feels he should also do something for his Army buddies, and he joins the MIS. Hitoshi also feels he wants to give back to his community and becomes part of the board of the Pasadena Cultural Center. Hitoshi has been with the Pasadena Cultural Center for 25 years and has been in many roles from Secretary to President.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: community leaders; community organizations; correspondence; friendship; Japanese Americans; Killed in Action; Medal of Honor; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; World War Two

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