The Enemy That Never Was

by Ken Adachi

Japanese Canadians were taken far away their home and business confiscated by the Canadian Government as part of a misguided effort in WWII.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

456 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Czarny Pies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered about the Internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II by reading Pierre Trudeau's Federalism and the French Canadians for a Grade Nine school project. Trudeau felt that the internment was a moral outrage and demonstrated the need for Canada to possess a constitution and a bill or rights to ensure that such an outrage would never occur again.

Given the fact that I grew up in town located close to one of the largest internment camps in Canada and that I personally knew at least two dozen internees, I came to learn about the internment in a very circuitous fashion. I personally feel all Canadians interested in this history of the internment should read this thoroughly researched book on the internment in order to understand how it happened and what it was like to undergo the internment. Given how similar the internment programs were in Canada and the US an American reader would also find this book to be highly valuable.

Ken Adachi's describes the Japanese as being highly assimilated. For the most part they spoke only English. They had no contacts with Japan. They existed as a community because the racist attitudes of white Canadians forced them to live and work apart. They were not allowed either to vote or to be members of professions. The internment then was a spiteful move by Canada's white population to further humiliate an already victimized group.

Starting in February 1942, the Japanese were rounded up and interned. Their property was seized and then auctioned off. Those acquiring the homes, vehicles and fishing boats of the Japanese typically did so at very attractive prices. It all seemed somewhat dishonest and may in fact have been as compensation was subsequently paid to the internees. My father who served overseas observed that the internment did not help him in any way in fighting the Germans and noted that those who chose to stay at home during the war got much richer than those who went to the front.

My father's view still sticks with me. The internment was just another one of the many filthy things that are done during war under the cover of patriotism. I think that the lesson to be learned from the internment is that it is necessary to ensure that one's country remain a just one even in time of war. The unjust things done during a war almost never do anything to help the military effort. They are simply immoral actions that do no good.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional for its time! Some of the words are dated but it tells an important part of Canada's past.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really comprehensive look at the history of Japanese Canadians from early immigration really to 1949.

[Trisha Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive summary of the racism perpetuated by white Canadians against Japanese Canadians and other people of Asian descent. An excellent reference.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed history of events with excellent pictures.

[Trevor Kew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, sweeping, nuanced look at the history of the Japanese in Canada from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Includes the internment camps of the Second World War but deals with so, so much more. Definitely a book for research purposes rather than general enjoyment or interest, but brilliantly compiled and written nonetheless.