Stanley Johnson: Served in the Navy and was stationed in Japan
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mattresses were in the barracks. Many would make furniture out of scrap wood to resolve the problem of having no furniture. Asayama worked for motor pool, which furnished trucks for people to drive through the camp. Recreational activities included singing and baseball.The family life was extremely important and culture was maintained through the meal they cooked. Nobaru tells of how the government provided rice, soy sauce, and other japanese foods. Mr. Asayama told us a story of how some american soldiers were afraid of a big, husky nisei and shot him for no reason. There was just a general fear of japanese and vice versa. Many Nisei volunteered to join and fight for the USA, however, many
issei,the original japanese immigrants, felt ashamed.
Life after camp:
After being released from the camp, Noboru found a job in a cannery. Because of his diligent and hardworking habits, he soon became the leader of a group of men at the cannery.
Noboru explained that the Japanese felt no resentment toward the Americans, in fact, they understood the reasons why they acted as they did. Mr. Asayama’s only desire was for the relationship between the Americans and the Japanese to have been different, one of trust in which the Americans could confidently say that the Japanese in America were loyal to America.