Mike Masaoka Oral History - Tape 1

Mike Masaoka, born October 15, 1950, in Fresno, California, shared his family's history and experiences. His father, from Hiroshima Prefecture, was named Masaoka after aiding in a Chinese invasion. His mother, from Kumamoto, faced exile during the Meiji Restoration. Masaoka's father moved the family to Utah due to California's alien land laws. Masaoka's father was killed in 1924, and the family struggled. Masaoka became active in public speaking and joined the Boy Scouts. He later became the national secretary of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and played a crucial role during World War II, advocating for Japanese American rights and organizing relief efforts.