05 – Imprisoned Without Trial: Japanese Incarceration in WWII

At a Glance

Course Description

Anti-Asian violence isn’t new—it dates back to the mid-1800s and peaked during WWII with the incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese Americans, most of them U.S. citizens. From a third-generation Japanese-American (Sansei) perspective, we’ll explore the roots of racism in America, its lasting impact, and how current immigration policies echo past injustices that we must not repeat.

Instructor

Denny Kato, a third-generation Japanese American and U.S. Army veteran, has spent over a decade researching WWII incarceration camps. He has shared his family’s story and historical insights through nationwide OLLI Zoom lectures and live presentations, including for the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the Art Institute of Cincinnati, and the Japan America Society.