Quiet Americans is a digital storytelling project about Japanese American history — stories of injustice, resilience, and resistance. We explore the lessons we’ve learned and the ones we failed to, from the past.
This project is inspired by the life of one Nisei (a second-generation Japanese American) who went from incarceration camps to volunteering for the U.S. Army. He served in the Pacific, worked in post-war Japan as a Military Intelligence Service officer, and later fought in the Korean War. Yet, like so many in his generation, he rarely spoke about it. He carried his story quietly. We’re here to tell these stories, so we never forget.
Latest Stories
Miné Ōkubo
Artist Miné Ōkubo created more than 2,000 sketches while incarcerated during World War II. Her memoir, Citizen 13660, became one of the most important firsthand accounts of the Japanese American incarceration.
GI Bill
Signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, the GI Bill helped thousands of Japanese American veterans attend college, build careers, and rebuild their lives after incarceration and World War II.
Gannenmono
They were called the Gannenmono, the “people of the first year.” They came seeking a better life in Hawaiʻi. Instead, many encountered broken promises, brutal working conditions, and a labor system that punished workers for trying to leave.
MIS in the Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was fought with more than rifles and artillery. Japanese American MIS soldiers used their understanding of Japanese language and culture to save lives and gather vital intelligence.
Operation Wetback
In 1954, the INS launched Operation Wetback to deport undocumented immigrants. Legal residents and U.S. citizens were caught up in the operation as well. It remains one of the most controversial immigration operations in American history.
Takahashi v. California Fish and Game Commission
California blocked him from citizenship. Then it tried to take away his right to fish. When Torao Takahashi challenged the law, his case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and became a landmark victory for civil rights.
Trending Stories
Miyoshi Umeki
In 1958, Miyoshi Umeki became the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award. It was a historic moment, but not a turning point. Her career reflects the limits placed on Asian performers in Hollywood, even after the highest recognition.
Kanaye Nagasawa
Kanaye Nagasawa was the first Japanese national to live permanently in the United States and became the first Wine King of California. His legacy tells a story of ambition, success, and an American dream that could not be passed on because of discriminatory laws.
Japanese Canadian Incarceration
January 14, 1942 marked the beginning of a seven-year exile for Japanese Canadians. More than 27,000 people were removed, incarcerated, and barred from returning home until 1949.