Japanese American internment refers to the forced relocation of numerous Japanese Americans to detention camps by the United States Government during World War II. The occurrence marked the culmination of discriminatory actions against Asian immigrants by the federal government initiated during the late 1800s. Despite a lack of adequate evidence, the US War department brought about allegations of espionage against Japanese Americans following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor (Komisarchik et al., 2020). Some political leaders motioned for the incarceration of Japanese Americans, especially those living in proximity to the West Coast. However, the US Department of Justice was against the detention of innocent civilians by the War Department. This paper examines the experiences of Japanese Americans in the Camps and argues against the internment actions.
The Experiences of Japanese Americans in Camps
Komisarchik et al. (2020) suggested that conditions in the camps were spare, with internees residing in uninsulated barracks solely furnished with coal-burning stoves and cots. Access to hot water was commonly restricted, with residents being forced to share laundry amenities and a common bathroom. Barbed-wire fences surrounded the camps, along with armed guards with orders to shoot anyone leaving the camp. Although there were isolated incidents of inhuman treatment and killing in the camps, the camps were mainly operated humanely. Internees were allowed to set up churches, schools, and media facilities. Children were also allowed to engage in sports and other activities while living with their families.
However, internment had detrimental psychological implications for Japanese America, who were forced to reside in hostile conditions for as long as three years. The internment also led to a few peaceful protests and legal actions, including Korematsu v. the United States. In this case, the Supreme court rule that the interment was constitutional (Komisarchik et al., 2020). Meanwhile, the government had headed numerous investigations whose findings suggested Japanese Americans’ loyalty. Some internees deemed loyal were allowed to leave the camps to be employed in the East and Midwest. Others were allowed to enlist in the military, while some worked as migrant laborers. In the Korematsu decision, the supreme courts opposed the detainment of US citizens whose loyalty was evident to the government. Subsequently, the closing of all relocation centers was initiated, with the last camp being closed in March 1946.
Arguments against the Internment
Japanese American internment involved the incarceration of numerous individuals of Japanese ancestry. The action was without merit other than suspicion of loyalty to their ancestral land (Komisarchik et al., 2020). Anti-Japanese sentiments were largely fuelled by the increasing Japanese population along the West Coast. They were also considered risk factors in the event of a Japanese invasion. Arguably, President Roosevelt demonstrated poor judgment in following the advice that led to the February 1942 executive order.
Besides the poor judgment demonstrated by political figures, internment had detrimental effects on the Japanese American community. Facing imminent evacuation, Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and livelihoods for internment camps. Some evacuees were also forced to reside in temporary centers (such as stables) while awaiting the completion of the camps. Some internees were accused of being loyal to Japan despite having never been to Japan. The anti-Japanese sentiments extended even to those who had served in the US military during World War I. Although Congress attempted to make reparations for Japanese American Incarceration, it does not make up for the pain and suffering endured through imprisonment without merit.
Reference
Komisarchik, M., Sen, M., & Velez, Y. (2020). The political consequences of ethnically targeted incarceration: Evidence from Japanese-American internment during WWII. SSRN Electronic Journal. Web.