This term paper is going to be about people of Japanese origin, or Nikkeijin, who were opposed to
Japanese militarism of the 1930s and left Japan to live in the United States as a consequence of
their political beliefs. I will talk about Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda. The former
two were Japanese citizens, whereas Karl Yoneda was a Kibei, i.e. a US citizen of Japanese origin
who was educated in Japan. This paper is based on autobiographies of the three persons in
question. Since their autobiographies deal only with a certain time period in their lives extensively,
and because it was almost impossible to find supplementary material to cover the time not included,
my accounts of the life of each individual may not be equally detailed for specific years and may
vary in length.
I will begin with a brief introduction of the United States as a nation of immigrants, followed by a
short history of the Japanese in the United States. I will end the introduction with a description of
militarist Japan of the 1930s. The main part will deal with the three persons mentioned above and
will be followed by a conclusion. The appendix includes the translation of ten pages of Ishigaki
Ayako’s diary, further documentation, photos, etc.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I INTRODUCTION
- A The US - a Nation of Immigrants
- B Japanese in the US
- C Militarism in Pre-World War II Japan
- II MAIN PART
- A Ishigaki Ayako (1903 - 1996)
- B Yashima Tarō (1909 – 1994)
- C Karl Yoneda (1906-1999)
- III CONCLUSION
- IV WORKS CITED
- V APPENDIX
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper explores the experiences of Japanese individuals who opposed Japanese militarism in the 1930s and subsequently emigrated to the United States. The paper focuses on the lives of Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda, examining their experiences through their autobiographies. It aims to shed light on their motivations for leaving Japan, their struggles in adapting to life in the United States, and the impact of their political beliefs on their lives.
- Japanese Immigration to the United States
- Anti-Militarism in Pre-World War II Japan
- The Impact of Japanese Internment during World War II
- The Experiences of Nikkeijin (Japanese Americans) in the United States
- The Role of Autobiographies in Understanding History
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides a brief overview of the United States as a nation of immigrants, highlighting the historical context of Japanese immigration to the United States. It also discusses the rise of militarism in pre-World War II Japan, setting the stage for the main focus of the paper.
The main part of the paper delves into the lives of three individuals who opposed Japanese militarism and emigrated to the United States: Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda. It explores their individual experiences, motivations for leaving Japan, and their lives in America. The paper draws heavily on their autobiographical accounts, providing a personal perspective on their journeys.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key topics and concepts explored in this paper include Japanese immigration, anti-militarism, Nikkeijin, Japanese internment, autobiographies, and the United States as a nation of immigrants. These keywords encapsulate the central themes and research foci of the paper, offering a glimpse into the experiences and struggles of Japanese individuals who chose to leave their homeland for political and personal reasons.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Stephanie Wössner (Author), 2002, Nikkeijin opposed to militarism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138145
