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.
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
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the lives and political trajectories of three Japanese individuals—Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda—who, driven by their opposition to Japanese militarism in the 1930s, emigrated to the United States. The central research objective is to analyze how these figures navigated their identities as political activists and immigrants while confronting both the suppression of dissent in Japan and the challenges of discrimination and racial tension within the United States.
- The rise of Japanese militarism and its impact on dissenters.
- The socio-political history of Japanese immigration to the United States.
- Biographical analysis of Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda based on their personal autobiographies.
- The intersection of labor activism, anti-fascism, and ethnic identity in the Japanese American experience.
- The role of the Communist Party and other labor organizations in the survival and integration of these activists.
Excerpt from the Book
C Militarism in Pre–World War II Japan
During the reign of Emperor Taishō (1912-1926) the political power had been transferred from the genrō, an oligarchic clique, to a parliament and democratic parties. However, by the 1930s, the military had gained power and almost completely controlled the government. A radical nationalism evolved, facilitated by the public educational system, introduced in 1890, which stressed Confucian values and obedience to the government under the Emperor, and further intensified by the media and state Shintoism. Navy and army officers soon occupied most important offices and expanded their nationalist-militaristic ideas. Political enemies were assassinated, communists persecuted.
Kita Ikki and others called for a Shōwa Restoration, state socialism, and a military coup d’état. The Emperor should remain head of state, a state which was to be anti-capitalist, hyper-nationalist and without a parliament.
Militarist expansion began with the Kwantung army invading Manchuria, in 1931, establishing the independent puppet state Manchukuo. Already after the Russo-Japanese war in 1904/05, Japan’s influence on Manchuria had begun to grow. Japan began to impose unequal economic and political treaties on China, just like Western nations. The response to growing anti-Japanese movements in China was the bombing of Shanghai by the Japanese air force. In 1933 Japan withdrew from the League of Nations due to criticism regarding her actions in China.
Chapter Summaries
I INTRODUCTION: Provides a historical overview of Japanese immigration to the US, the definition of the immigrant experience in this context, and a brief explanation of the rise of militarism in Japan.
A The US – a Nation of Immigrants: Discusses the history of American immigration, focusing on the various theories of settlement and the push-pull factors that influenced arrivals from Japan.
B Japanese in the US: Traces the waves of Japanese immigration, the socio-economic conditions faced by early laborers, and the eventual impact of the 1941 internment policies.
C Militarism in Pre–World War II Japan: Analyzes the political shift in Japan from democracy towards radical nationalism and military-controlled expansionism.
II MAIN PART: Serves as the core section providing detailed biographical accounts of three activists who opposed Japanese militarism.
A Ishigaki Ayako (1903 - 1996): Examines the life of a labor activist and writer who engaged in anti-militarist work in Japan and the US, utilizing her autobiography as a primary source.
B Yashima Tarō (1909 – 1994): Explores the struggle of an anti-fascist Japanese artist who faced imprisonment for his political views before emigrating to America.
C Karl Yoneda (1906-1999): Details the life of a Kibei communist and labor organizer who fought against racial discrimination and capitalist exploitation in the United States.
III CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the shared experiences of the three activists, highlighting their contribution to American society despite their diverse life paths.
Keywords
Japanese Militarism, Nikkeijin, Immigration, Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, Karl Yoneda, Communism, Labor Movement, Anti-Fascism, Internment Camps, Japanese American History, Kibei, Political Activism, Shōwa Restoration, Civil Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on individuals of Japanese origin, known as Nikkeijin, who left Japan due to their opposition to Japanese militarism in the 1930s to live in the United States.
Who are the three key individuals analyzed in the work?
The study highlights the lives of Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda, all of whom were activists who recorded their experiences in autobiographies.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to explore how these specific activists maintained their opposition to militarism and fought for social justice while adapting to life as immigrants in the United States.
Which scientific methodology does the paper employ?
The paper is based on a biographical approach, primarily utilizing the autobiographies of the three subjects as the core source material to reconstruct their political and personal lives.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main part is divided into three biographical sections that detail the childhood, political awakening, migration, and activism of Ishigaki Ayako, Yashima Tarō, and Karl Yoneda.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Japanese militarism, labor movement, communist activism, Japanese American immigration, and the historical context of the internment of Japanese origin people.
How did Ishigaki Ayako participate in anti-militarist efforts?
She was a labor activist in New York who gave public speeches against Japanese militarism and wrote in various publications to raise awareness among the American public.
Why was the "Kibei" status significant for Karl Yoneda?
As a Kibei (a US citizen educated in Japan), Yoneda possessed a unique cultural connection to both nations, which shaped his perspective as a labor organizer on the West Coast.
What were the major challenges faced by Yashima Tarō in Japan?
Yashima Tarō was persecuted by the secret police (Tokko-ka) for his artistic and political work, which ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment before his departure for the US.
How does the conclusion reflect on the legacy of these three figures?
The conclusion notes that while they did not necessarily work together, they shared a lifelong commitment to equality and left significant traces in American history through their writing and activism.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Stephanie Wössner (Author), 2002, Nikkeijin opposed to militarism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138145
