Quiet Americans
@quietamericans.com
Uncovering Japanese American stories: History. Injustice. Resistance. Achievements. Remembering those who built, fought, and endured.
https://quietamericans.com
https://quietamericans.com
In 1853, Japan was forced to open its doors.
By 1906, California wanted Japanese immigrants gone.
On Feb 15, 1907, the U.S. pressured Japan to stop sending laborers.
They called it the “Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
quietamericans.com/gentlemens-agreement
By 1906, California wanted Japanese immigrants gone.
On Feb 15, 1907, the U.S. pressured Japan to stop sending laborers.
They called it the “Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
quietamericans.com/gentlemens-agreement
February 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
In 1853, Japan was forced to open its doors.
By 1906, California wanted Japanese immigrants gone.
On Feb 15, 1907, the U.S. pressured Japan to stop sending laborers.
They called it the “Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
quietamericans.com/gentlemens-agreement
By 1906, California wanted Japanese immigrants gone.
On Feb 15, 1907, the U.S. pressured Japan to stop sending laborers.
They called it the “Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
quietamericans.com/gentlemens-agreement
George Shima built a potato empire that controlled 85% of the state’s production.
California later tried to push him out with Alien Land Laws.
Success didn’t protect him from prejudice.
quietamericans.com/george-shima
California later tried to push him out with Alien Land Laws.
Success didn’t protect him from prejudice.
quietamericans.com/george-shima
February 13, 2026 at 5:03 PM
George Shima built a potato empire that controlled 85% of the state’s production.
California later tried to push him out with Alien Land Laws.
Success didn’t protect him from prejudice.
quietamericans.com/george-shima
California later tried to push him out with Alien Land Laws.
Success didn’t protect him from prejudice.
quietamericans.com/george-shima
In 1903, Japanese and Mexican laborers in Oxnard formed the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association.
Sugar beet magnates tried to divide them by race.
The workers chose solidarity instead.
Their strike succeeded. It was an early victory for multiracial labor in America.
Sugar beet magnates tried to divide them by race.
The workers chose solidarity instead.
Their strike succeeded. It was an early victory for multiracial labor in America.
February 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM
In 1903, Japanese and Mexican laborers in Oxnard formed the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association.
Sugar beet magnates tried to divide them by race.
The workers chose solidarity instead.
Their strike succeeded. It was an early victory for multiracial labor in America.
Sugar beet magnates tried to divide them by race.
The workers chose solidarity instead.
Their strike succeeded. It was an early victory for multiracial labor in America.
Born in Seattle in 1925, Aki Kurose believed she was an American.
WWII incarceration changed that.
She later helped desegregate Seattle’s public schools and establish Washington’s first Head Start program.
Segregation shaped her. She fought to end it.
quietamericans.com/aki-kurose
WWII incarceration changed that.
She later helped desegregate Seattle’s public schools and establish Washington’s first Head Start program.
Segregation shaped her. She fought to end it.
quietamericans.com/aki-kurose
February 11, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Born in Seattle in 1925, Aki Kurose believed she was an American.
WWII incarceration changed that.
She later helped desegregate Seattle’s public schools and establish Washington’s first Head Start program.
Segregation shaped her. She fought to end it.
quietamericans.com/aki-kurose
WWII incarceration changed that.
She later helped desegregate Seattle’s public schools and establish Washington’s first Head Start program.
Segregation shaped her. She fought to end it.
quietamericans.com/aki-kurose
Before it was even a U.S. territory, they were already there.
Feb 8, 1885: About 900 Japanese laborers arrived in Honolulu.
Hawaiʻi wasn’t American soil yet.
Yet decades later, Japanese in Hawaii were labeled “enemy aliens.”
The logic never fully made sense.
Feb 8, 1885: About 900 Japanese laborers arrived in Honolulu.
Hawaiʻi wasn’t American soil yet.
Yet decades later, Japanese in Hawaii were labeled “enemy aliens.”
The logic never fully made sense.
February 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Before it was even a U.S. territory, they were already there.
Feb 8, 1885: About 900 Japanese laborers arrived in Honolulu.
Hawaiʻi wasn’t American soil yet.
Yet decades later, Japanese in Hawaii were labeled “enemy aliens.”
The logic never fully made sense.
Feb 8, 1885: About 900 Japanese laborers arrived in Honolulu.
Hawaiʻi wasn’t American soil yet.
Yet decades later, Japanese in Hawaii were labeled “enemy aliens.”
The logic never fully made sense.
Born Feb 7, 1896, Bonner Fellers advised Douglas MacArthur after WWII.
His understanding of Japan came from books by Lafcadio Hearn.
Fellers warned executing Emperor Hirohito would spark endless resistance.
MacArthur listened. History turned.
quietamericans.com/bonner-fellers
His understanding of Japan came from books by Lafcadio Hearn.
Fellers warned executing Emperor Hirohito would spark endless resistance.
MacArthur listened. History turned.
quietamericans.com/bonner-fellers
February 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Born Feb 7, 1896, Bonner Fellers advised Douglas MacArthur after WWII.
His understanding of Japan came from books by Lafcadio Hearn.
Fellers warned executing Emperor Hirohito would spark endless resistance.
MacArthur listened. History turned.
quietamericans.com/bonner-fellers
His understanding of Japan came from books by Lafcadio Hearn.
Fellers warned executing Emperor Hirohito would spark endless resistance.
MacArthur listened. History turned.
quietamericans.com/bonner-fellers
February 6, 1864.
Japan sent a team of samurai to Europe to try to shut down foreign trade.
The mission failed.
For its leader, Ikeda Nagaoki, it revealed a world Japan could no longer ignore.
quietamericans.com/ikeda-mission
Japan sent a team of samurai to Europe to try to shut down foreign trade.
The mission failed.
For its leader, Ikeda Nagaoki, it revealed a world Japan could no longer ignore.
quietamericans.com/ikeda-mission
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
February 6, 1864.
Japan sent a team of samurai to Europe to try to shut down foreign trade.
The mission failed.
For its leader, Ikeda Nagaoki, it revealed a world Japan could no longer ignore.
quietamericans.com/ikeda-mission
Japan sent a team of samurai to Europe to try to shut down foreign trade.
The mission failed.
For its leader, Ikeda Nagaoki, it revealed a world Japan could no longer ignore.
quietamericans.com/ikeda-mission
On Feb 5, 1917, Congress overrode a presidential veto to pass the Immigration Act of 1917, creating the Asiatic Barred Zone — a racial ban spanning from the Middle East to the Pacific.
Blocking East Asians wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/immigration-act-of-1917
#OnThisDay #ImmigrationAct1917
Blocking East Asians wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/immigration-act-of-1917
#OnThisDay #ImmigrationAct1917
February 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
On Feb 5, 1917, Congress overrode a presidential veto to pass the Immigration Act of 1917, creating the Asiatic Barred Zone — a racial ban spanning from the Middle East to the Pacific.
Blocking East Asians wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/immigration-act-of-1917
#OnThisDay #ImmigrationAct1917
Blocking East Asians wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/immigration-act-of-1917
#OnThisDay #ImmigrationAct1917
In February 1943, Japanese Americans already imprisoned were forced to answer a so-called “loyalty questionnaire.”
There were no right answers — only consequences.
quietamericans.com/loyalty-questionnaire
#QuietAmericans #JapaneseAmericanHistory #WWIIHistory #CivilLiberties
There were no right answers — only consequences.
quietamericans.com/loyalty-questionnaire
#QuietAmericans #JapaneseAmericanHistory #WWIIHistory #CivilLiberties
February 4, 2026 at 3:30 AM
In February 1943, Japanese Americans already imprisoned were forced to answer a so-called “loyalty questionnaire.”
There were no right answers — only consequences.
quietamericans.com/loyalty-questionnaire
#QuietAmericans #JapaneseAmericanHistory #WWIIHistory #CivilLiberties
There were no right answers — only consequences.
quietamericans.com/loyalty-questionnaire
#QuietAmericans #JapaneseAmericanHistory #WWIIHistory #CivilLiberties
His wine brought international recognition to California.
Then Anti-Asian land laws erased his legacy.
The first Wine King of California who was educated in Scotland couldn’t pass on his Sonoma estate — because he was Japanese.
quietamericans.com/kanaye-nagasawa
#KanayeNagasawa #CaliforniaWine
Then Anti-Asian land laws erased his legacy.
The first Wine King of California who was educated in Scotland couldn’t pass on his Sonoma estate — because he was Japanese.
quietamericans.com/kanaye-nagasawa
#KanayeNagasawa #CaliforniaWine
February 2, 2026 at 5:05 PM
His wine brought international recognition to California.
Then Anti-Asian land laws erased his legacy.
The first Wine King of California who was educated in Scotland couldn’t pass on his Sonoma estate — because he was Japanese.
quietamericans.com/kanaye-nagasawa
#KanayeNagasawa #CaliforniaWine
Then Anti-Asian land laws erased his legacy.
The first Wine King of California who was educated in Scotland couldn’t pass on his Sonoma estate — because he was Japanese.
quietamericans.com/kanaye-nagasawa
#KanayeNagasawa #CaliforniaWine
When 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII, one man chose to stand with them.
Herbert Nicholson, a.k.a. Friend Herbert, safeguarded their belongings, drove over 50,000 miles between camps and helped send 150,000 letters protesting incarceration.
quietamericans.com/friend-herbert
Herbert Nicholson, a.k.a. Friend Herbert, safeguarded their belongings, drove over 50,000 miles between camps and helped send 150,000 letters protesting incarceration.
quietamericans.com/friend-herbert
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
When 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII, one man chose to stand with them.
Herbert Nicholson, a.k.a. Friend Herbert, safeguarded their belongings, drove over 50,000 miles between camps and helped send 150,000 letters protesting incarceration.
quietamericans.com/friend-herbert
Herbert Nicholson, a.k.a. Friend Herbert, safeguarded their belongings, drove over 50,000 miles between camps and helped send 150,000 letters protesting incarceration.
quietamericans.com/friend-herbert
Born OTD in Los Angeles, Young-Oak Kim was assigned to the all–Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion during WWII.
He was the only Korean American in the unit, and proud to fight beside his fellow Americans.
Country over background.
quietamericans.com/young-oak-kim
He was the only Korean American in the unit, and proud to fight beside his fellow Americans.
Country over background.
quietamericans.com/young-oak-kim
January 29, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Born OTD in Los Angeles, Young-Oak Kim was assigned to the all–Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion during WWII.
He was the only Korean American in the unit, and proud to fight beside his fellow Americans.
Country over background.
quietamericans.com/young-oak-kim
He was the only Korean American in the unit, and proud to fight beside his fellow Americans.
Country over background.
quietamericans.com/young-oak-kim
A 14-year-old bonito fisherman helped shape U.S.–Japan relations.
Jan 27, 1827 — John Manjirō was born. Shipwrecked as a teenager, he was rescued and educated in America, then later became a key cultural bridge between two nations.
quietamericans.com/john-manjiro-nakahama
Jan 27, 1827 — John Manjirō was born. Shipwrecked as a teenager, he was rescued and educated in America, then later became a key cultural bridge between two nations.
quietamericans.com/john-manjiro-nakahama
January 27, 2026 at 5:01 PM
A 14-year-old bonito fisherman helped shape U.S.–Japan relations.
Jan 27, 1827 — John Manjirō was born. Shipwrecked as a teenager, he was rescued and educated in America, then later became a key cultural bridge between two nations.
quietamericans.com/john-manjiro-nakahama
Jan 27, 1827 — John Manjirō was born. Shipwrecked as a teenager, he was rescued and educated in America, then later became a key cultural bridge between two nations.
quietamericans.com/john-manjiro-nakahama
During WWII, 98% of Japanese residents in Australia, including those born there, spent Australia Day behind barbed wire.
After years in camps, most were deported.
Australia never apologized.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-australian
#AustraliaDay #incarceration #WWII
After years in camps, most were deported.
Australia never apologized.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-australian
#AustraliaDay #incarceration #WWII
January 26, 2026 at 5:02 PM
During WWII, 98% of Japanese residents in Australia, including those born there, spent Australia Day behind barbed wire.
After years in camps, most were deported.
Australia never apologized.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-australian
#AustraliaDay #incarceration #WWII
After years in camps, most were deported.
Australia never apologized.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-australian
#AustraliaDay #incarceration #WWII
He was a 5-foot dynamo who played alongside legends, bridged segregated leagues, and built baseball behind barbed wire.
January 25, 1900 — Kenichi Zenimura was born in Hiroshima, Japan.
quietamericans.com/zenimura-day
January 25, 1900 — Kenichi Zenimura was born in Hiroshima, Japan.
quietamericans.com/zenimura-day
January 26, 2026 at 1:00 AM
He was a 5-foot dynamo who played alongside legends, bridged segregated leagues, and built baseball behind barbed wire.
January 25, 1900 — Kenichi Zenimura was born in Hiroshima, Japan.
quietamericans.com/zenimura-day
January 25, 1900 — Kenichi Zenimura was born in Hiroshima, Japan.
quietamericans.com/zenimura-day
He had red hair and freckles.
But the Nisei soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion considered him one of their own.
Major Jack Johnson trained them, fought beside them, and led by example.
On Jan 25, 1945, he died doing just that — on the front lines.
quietamericans.com/jack-johnson
But the Nisei soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion considered him one of their own.
Major Jack Johnson trained them, fought beside them, and led by example.
On Jan 25, 1945, he died doing just that — on the front lines.
quietamericans.com/jack-johnson
January 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM
He had red hair and freckles.
But the Nisei soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion considered him one of their own.
Major Jack Johnson trained them, fought beside them, and led by example.
On Jan 25, 1945, he died doing just that — on the front lines.
quietamericans.com/jack-johnson
But the Nisei soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion considered him one of their own.
Major Jack Johnson trained them, fought beside them, and led by example.
On Jan 25, 1945, he died doing just that — on the front lines.
quietamericans.com/jack-johnson
On January 24, 1985, Ellison Onizuka became the first Asian American — and the first person of Asian descent — to fly in space.
Born in Kona, Hawai‘i, this Sansei broke barriers with quiet resolve and technical brilliance.
#EllisonOnizuka #OnThisDay #QuietAmericans #AANHPI #NASA #SpaceHistory
Born in Kona, Hawai‘i, this Sansei broke barriers with quiet resolve and technical brilliance.
#EllisonOnizuka #OnThisDay #QuietAmericans #AANHPI #NASA #SpaceHistory
January 24, 2026 at 5:01 PM
On January 24, 1985, Ellison Onizuka became the first Asian American — and the first person of Asian descent — to fly in space.
Born in Kona, Hawai‘i, this Sansei broke barriers with quiet resolve and technical brilliance.
#EllisonOnizuka #OnThisDay #QuietAmericans #AANHPI #NASA #SpaceHistory
Born in Kona, Hawai‘i, this Sansei broke barriers with quiet resolve and technical brilliance.
#EllisonOnizuka #OnThisDay #QuietAmericans #AANHPI #NASA #SpaceHistory
They wanted to keep illegal immigrants out.
They also wanted to make all Asians illegal.
January 21, 1910: the Angel Island Immigration Station opened in San Francisco Bay to enforce laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
quietamericans.com/angel-island
They also wanted to make all Asians illegal.
January 21, 1910: the Angel Island Immigration Station opened in San Francisco Bay to enforce laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
quietamericans.com/angel-island
January 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM
They wanted to keep illegal immigrants out.
They also wanted to make all Asians illegal.
January 21, 1910: the Angel Island Immigration Station opened in San Francisco Bay to enforce laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
quietamericans.com/angel-island
They also wanted to make all Asians illegal.
January 21, 1910: the Angel Island Immigration Station opened in San Francisco Bay to enforce laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
quietamericans.com/angel-island
California’s racist land laws were dismantled by a man named Abraham Lincoln — civil attorney A. L. (Abraham Lincoln) Wirin.
On January 19, 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Ōyama v. California, dealing a major blow to the Alien Land Laws.
quietamericans.com/oyama-v-california
On January 19, 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Ōyama v. California, dealing a major blow to the Alien Land Laws.
quietamericans.com/oyama-v-california
January 19, 2026 at 5:01 PM
California’s racist land laws were dismantled by a man named Abraham Lincoln — civil attorney A. L. (Abraham Lincoln) Wirin.
On January 19, 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Ōyama v. California, dealing a major blow to the Alien Land Laws.
quietamericans.com/oyama-v-california
On January 19, 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Ōyama v. California, dealing a major blow to the Alien Land Laws.
quietamericans.com/oyama-v-california
Mary Tsukamoto overcame all kinds of pain:
Arthritis. Poverty. Incarceration.
Born Jan 17, 1915, she was imprisoned during WWII with 120,000 Japanese Americans.
She turned that pain into purpose — as a teacher, historian, and civil rights activist.
quietamericans.com/mary-tsukamoto
Arthritis. Poverty. Incarceration.
Born Jan 17, 1915, she was imprisoned during WWII with 120,000 Japanese Americans.
She turned that pain into purpose — as a teacher, historian, and civil rights activist.
quietamericans.com/mary-tsukamoto
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Mary Tsukamoto overcame all kinds of pain:
Arthritis. Poverty. Incarceration.
Born Jan 17, 1915, she was imprisoned during WWII with 120,000 Japanese Americans.
She turned that pain into purpose — as a teacher, historian, and civil rights activist.
quietamericans.com/mary-tsukamoto
Arthritis. Poverty. Incarceration.
Born Jan 17, 1915, she was imprisoned during WWII with 120,000 Japanese Americans.
She turned that pain into purpose — as a teacher, historian, and civil rights activist.
quietamericans.com/mary-tsukamoto
He asked for equality.
He was given a medal.
January 15, 1998: Fred Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During WWII, he only wanted the rights promised to every American.
Decades later, the nation honored him for refusing to accept injustice.
quietamericans.com/fred-koremat...
He was given a medal.
January 15, 1998: Fred Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During WWII, he only wanted the rights promised to every American.
Decades later, the nation honored him for refusing to accept injustice.
quietamericans.com/fred-koremat...
January 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
He asked for equality.
He was given a medal.
January 15, 1998: Fred Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During WWII, he only wanted the rights promised to every American.
Decades later, the nation honored him for refusing to accept injustice.
quietamericans.com/fred-koremat...
He was given a medal.
January 15, 1998: Fred Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During WWII, he only wanted the rights promised to every American.
Decades later, the nation honored him for refusing to accept injustice.
quietamericans.com/fred-koremat...
Jan 14, 1942: Canada began removing Japanese Canadian men from the BC coast.
It escalated into mass incarceration, family separation, and property seizure — affecting mostly citizens — lasting until 1949.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-can...
It escalated into mass incarceration, family separation, and property seizure — affecting mostly citizens — lasting until 1949.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-can...
January 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Jan 14, 1942: Canada began removing Japanese Canadian men from the BC coast.
It escalated into mass incarceration, family separation, and property seizure — affecting mostly citizens — lasting until 1949.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-can...
It escalated into mass incarceration, family separation, and property seizure — affecting mostly citizens — lasting until 1949.
🔗 quietamericans.com/japanese-can...
All they were asked to do was stay quiet while they were unjustly incarcerated.
January 11, 1943:
The U.S. government opened the Moab Isolation Center in Utah — for men labeled “troublemakers.”
They were already imprisoned.
Moab existed to keep their mouths shut.
🔗 quietamericans.com/moab/
January 11, 1943:
The U.S. government opened the Moab Isolation Center in Utah — for men labeled “troublemakers.”
They were already imprisoned.
Moab existed to keep their mouths shut.
🔗 quietamericans.com/moab/
January 11, 2026 at 6:01 PM
All they were asked to do was stay quiet while they were unjustly incarcerated.
January 11, 1943:
The U.S. government opened the Moab Isolation Center in Utah — for men labeled “troublemakers.”
They were already imprisoned.
Moab existed to keep their mouths shut.
🔗 quietamericans.com/moab/
January 11, 1943:
The U.S. government opened the Moab Isolation Center in Utah — for men labeled “troublemakers.”
They were already imprisoned.
Moab existed to keep their mouths shut.
🔗 quietamericans.com/moab/
In 1885, the California Supreme Court ruled that denying Mamie Tape access to public school because she was Chinese violated the Fourteenth Amendment.
The law was clear.
California responded with segregation.
🔗 quietamericans.com/mamie-tape
The law was clear.
California responded with segregation.
🔗 quietamericans.com/mamie-tape
January 9, 2026 at 5:02 PM
In 1885, the California Supreme Court ruled that denying Mamie Tape access to public school because she was Chinese violated the Fourteenth Amendment.
The law was clear.
California responded with segregation.
🔗 quietamericans.com/mamie-tape
The law was clear.
California responded with segregation.
🔗 quietamericans.com/mamie-tape
They arrested the wrong brother — then kept him anyway.
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
They arrested the wrong brother — then kept him anyway.
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga