John Minamoto and Steve Terusaki

Access interview transcript here.

Summary:

This oral history interview features two members of the Buddhist Church of Oakland, Steve Terusaki and John Minamoto, who share personal accounts of Oakland’s Japanese American community. John explores the impact of Executive Order 9066 during WWII, which forced Japanese Americans, including John’s family, into internment camps. He recounts his family’s experience in Topaz, Utah, where both he and his sister were born, and how his father, despite being interned, was drafted into the Army. After the war, John’s family returned to Oakland, where his grandfather had retained their house. John also shares personal stories about his family dynamics, growing up in his grandfather’s house, and his responsibilities as the eldest son in an Asian family. Ultimately, the interview highlights broader themes of community resilience, displacement, and adaptation in the face of challenges.

Keywords:

Japanese Internment, Nimitz Freeway, Executive order 9066, Wanto grocery, Westlake Junior High School, Lincoln High School, Buddhist Church of Oakland