STORIES FROM HORROR| Being Japanese in the USA after WWII

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This is a raw and unfiltered look at the darkest chapters of history. In each episode we explore dictatorships, hate crimes and terror regimes that left indelible scars on humanity. Silenced voices, forgotten memories and uncomfortable truths that need to be told. 

It’s hard to imagine what life was like for Japanese-Americans who, after facing one of the darkest chapters in American history—internment camps during WWII—had to rebuild their lives in a country that viewed them with suspicion and hostility. The aftermath of war left them not just fighting to survive, but to reclaim their dignity and rights as citizens.

This episode will explore the challenges Japanese-Americans faced, the fight for justice and reparations, and the legacy of their resilience today.

Before we can understand what Japanese-Americans faced after WWII, it’s essential to know what happened during the war itself. In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. This order forced more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans—many of whom were born in the U.S.—into internment camps.

Imagine being taken from your home, your business, your life—without warning—just because of your ethnicity. Families were uprooted, forced to leave behind everything they owned. They were placed in cramped, poorly constructed camps in remote areas. Life was harsh. The U.S. government justified this as a “national security” measure, but it was rooted in racial prejudice, not evidence of any actual threat.

These camps were not like prisons—they were worse. They were isolated, overcrowded, and lacked privacy. Families had to live in barracks, with little more than a few cots and thin walls separating them. Some people even had to share bathrooms with dozens of others. And yet, despite these harsh conditions, many tried to maintain a sense of community, a sense of normalcy. They held cultural events, created schools, and even built gardens, all while being confined.

But the psychological toll was immense. The fear, humiliation, and anger were palpable. Children grew up with the haunting knowledge that their parents were viewed as “enemies” by the very country they called home.

Despite their loyalty to the U.S., many young Japanese-American men joined the military to prove their patriotism. One of the most famous units was the 442nd Infantry Regiment, made up entirely of Japanese-American soldiers. They went on to become one of the most decorated units in American history. But even as they fought and died for their country, they still faced discrimination and suspicion back home.

And that concludes  today's episode, see you in the next one!

If you have any comments or suggestions for future episodes, feel free to drop me a comment.

Patricia López Muñoz

Higher Technician in Sociocultural Dynamisation

Specialist Technician in Immigration

Higher Technician in Social Integration