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Densho

Densho’s mission is to preserve the testimonies of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II before their memories are extinguished. We offer these irreplaceable firsthand accounts, coupled with historical images and teacher resources, to explore principles of democracy, and promote equal justice for all.

Newspaper clippings in scrapbook about the attack on Pearl Harbor

At Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were victims of the attack — and their own government

Global Politics

Nearly half of the 68 civilians killed on Pearl Harbor day were Japanese American and the Hawaii Territorial Guard, which mobilized the morning of December 7 was largely made up of Nisei, the children of Japanese immigrants. That was before they were incarcerated for being Japanese.

People line up in front of a bulding

Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II could still vote, kind of

Justice
A group of workers pose in a farm, wearing their work clothes. Top row standing, bottom row sitting. Black and white photo.

How Japanese and Mexican American farm workers formed an alliance that made history

Justice
Two kimonos in the wind on a laundry line

These images of Japanese American incarceration were embargoed for almost 30 years

Justice
Protesters show solidarity with Black Lives Matter by holding a sign on the street

Despite history, Japanese Americans and African Americans are working together to claim their rights

Justice