In Memory of: Sharon Nobue Harris

A Tribute to Sharon Harris Sharon Nobue Harris passed away December 30, 2022. She leaves behind her husband Dave, son Cory (Karen), daughter Shannon (Tal Goettling), granddaughter Hailey, sister Joyce Hamamura (Susan Davis), aunt May Terayama, many cousins, friends and her lap-warming kitty, Missy. She was born on September 30,

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BIJAEMA Hails Passage of Japanese American Confinement Education Act

December 24, 2022 Bainbridge Island, WA – The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association commends Congress for passing a 2023 spending bill that includes the Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Act and the Japanese American World War II History Network Act. Named after the late Norman Mineta

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‘We Are Minidoka’ matching challenge from the Masto Foundation!

Dear Bainbridge Island, We need your help. The Masto Foundation has generously offered to donate an additional $10,000 in addition to their already pledged $50,000 over 3 years – if we raise an additional $10,000 from all of you by December 31st. Photos left to right:  Sparks and her mother

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Project Names Every Japanese American Incarcerated During WWII

For as much as we casually quote the figure 120,000 Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWI,  government rosters at the time were notoriously incomplete and riddled with errors. In order to ensure that there is a complete record and that those who were incarcerated are honored and remembered, Duncan Ryuken Williams,

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Online Exhibition: Wakaji Matsumoto–An Artist in Two Worlds

Now featured on the Japanese American National Museum website, Wakaji Matsumoto, An Artist in Two Worlds: Los Angeles and Hiroshima, 1917-1944, is an online photographic exhibition providing a glimpse of life both in the artist’s native Hiroshima and in Los Angeles, pre-WWII. Wakaji Matsumoto was born to Wakamatsu and Haru

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San Diego Apologizes Rescinds Support for WWII

September 20, 2022 The San Diego City Council rescinded Tuesday a resolution it had passed 80 years ago in support of the incarceration of Japanese Americans in prison camps during World War II. “This isn’t simply a matter of looking backwards, but also hopefully recognizing how quickly political ploys can

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In Memoriam: Teruko “Terry” Marlatt

Teruko “Terry” Marlatt passed away peacefully on May 10, 2022, age 95, in Reno, NV. Terry was born on Bainbridge Island, Washington, on February 21, 1927 to parents Zenhichi and Shiki Harui. She was 15 years old when her family left Bainbridge Island for Moses Lake in advance of the

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Satoru Sakuma: October 28, 1925 – May 17, 2022

March 30th, 2022 was a very special day. As a volunteer helping to organize the extensive media coverage at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, the day was exciting and frenzied. How many would show up? Where could all the cameras fit? Would they block the view? Then, the

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Watch the 80th Anniversary Video

View the Ceremony hosted at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on March 30, 2022 Watch the 80th Anniversary presentation in its entirety, featuring Frances Ikegami, survivor of the forced removal, four student leaders from Woodward Middle School, the declaration from the City of Bainbridge Island, speakers from BIJAC,

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“80 Years of Healing”

Hayashidas were joined by Sakumas, Nakatas, Nagatanis, Kitamotos, and so many of the names we recognize from the carvings in the Exclusion Memorial Wall. Bainbridge Island was honored with the presence of a large turnout of survivors and their families on March 30th, the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of

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