Japanese American Cultural Identity: the Role of WWII, Internment, and the 3/11 Disaster in Japan
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University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2014 Japanese American Cultural Identity: The Role of WWII, Internment, and the 3/11 Disaster in Japan Carrie L. Miller University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Asian American Studies Commons, and the Critical and Cultural Studies Commons Recommended Citation Miller, Carrie L., "Japanese American Cultural Identity: The Role of WWII, Internment, and the 3/11 Disaster in Japan" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 432. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/432 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL IDENTITY: THE ROLE OF WWII, INTERNMENT, AND THE 3/11 DISASTER IN JAPAN A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of Social Sciences University of Denver In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by Carrie L. Miller March 2014 Advisor: Dr. Margaret Thompson Author: Carrie L. Miller Title: Japanese American Cultural Identity: The Role of WWII, Internment, and the 3/11 Disaster in Japan Advisor: Dr. Margaret Thompson Degree Date: March 2014 ABSTRACT This research explores the nature of Japanese American cultural identity through an examination of the historical contexts of WWII, internment, and the 3/11 disasters in Japan. Interview data was analyzed using both interpretive and critical paradigms. I then utilized the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the corresponding concept of identity gaps, and critical-cultural hybridity. It was found that Japanese Americans construct, enact, and relate to their identities in markedly different ways despite belonging to the same cultural group. In turn, I am proposing further revision to CTI’s communal frame to exemplify the shared and contested elements of a collective. This research also suggests that the structural context of internment has impacted Japanese Americans even though they may not perceive much of an impact on their own identity conceptions. Moreover, this study argues that internment has profoundly shaped the lives of Japanese Americans, which future research can continue to explore. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis advisor, Dr. Margaret Thompson, who has supported me throughout the entire process of writing my thesis. I am extremely grateful for Dr. Thompson’s dedication, patience, and expertise as she tirelessly read through countless versions of my thesis and offered me plentiful suggestions, insights, and encouragements—even on her summer and winter breaks. Without her direction and commitment, I would not have been able to complete this thesis at the caliber that is required, or perhaps, not even at all. I would also like to thank Dr. Lynn Schofield Clark as she selflessly gave up her time in order to give me a lot of initial guidance while my thesis advisor was on sabbatical. Dr. Clark helped me refine my thesis topic, assisted me through the IRB process, and reviewed a final draft of my thesis proposal and a more recent copy of thesis. Her advice, suggestions, and encouragements along the way are greatly appreciated. Dr. Bonnie Clark has been a wonderful resource for me as she has great expertise about Japanese American culture and has helped me to establish connections with Japanese Americans in the local community. All three have served on my Thesis Proposal Committee as well as on my Oral Defense Committee. I would also like to thank Dr. Christine Sheikh and Dr. Devin Joshi for their willingness to serve on my Oral Defense Committee. I am beyond thankful for all of these individuals who have challenged and educated me in more ways than I can express. Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents and friends as they have been my continual and irreplaceable support throughout this process. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 Rationale for this Study ............................................................................................................... 3 March 11, 2011 ............................................................................................................................ 5 Media Coverage of 3/11 ............................................................................................................ 10 Trauma ....................................................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................ 14 Japanese American Identities and Internment ........................................................................... 14 Nikkei in the U.S. ...................................................................................................................... 17 Organizational Involvement ...................................................................................................... 24 The Internment of Japanese Americans ..................................................................................... 27 Governor Ralph Carr ................................................................................................................. 31 Daily Life in Camp .................................................................................................................... 32 Loyalty Oath Questionnaires ..................................................................................................... 33 Internment Ends ......................................................................................................................... 35 An Overview of Natural Disasters ............................................................................................. 39 The Role of Media in Covering Natural Disasters ..................................................................... 41 Cultural Responses to a few Natural Disasters throughout History ........................................... 43 CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................... 53 Culture ....................................................................................................................................... 61 Diaspora ..................................................................................................................................... 62 Identity(ies) ................................................................................................................................ 64 Communication Theory of Identity ........................................................................................... 67 Identity Gaps .............................................................................................................................. 68 Critical-Cultural Hybridity ........................................................................................................ 69 Summary .................................................................................................................................... 74 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODS .................................................................................................... 77 Coding of Interviews ................................................................................................................. 79 Positionalities ............................................................................................................................. 82 CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS ........................................................................................................ 85 Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) ................................................................................. 85 The Personal Frame ............................................................................................................... 85 Michelle Fujimoto .............................................................................................................. 86 Charles Nishimura ............................................................................................................. 90 Kathryn Fujimoto ............................................................................................................... 93 The Enactment Frame ............................................................................................................ 98 Jerry Matsuoka .................................................................................................................. 98 Kathryn Fujimoto ............................................................................................................. 102 The Relationship Frame ....................................................................................................... 106 Kent Hisakawa ................................................................................................................. 106 James Hashimoto ............................................................................................................. 109 Angela Fukui ...................................................................................................................