Monterey County makes first official apology to Japanese American community

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors held a special ceremony remembering the 76th Anniversary of an executive order that required the internment of more than 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans, just two months after the attack of Pearl Harbor.

Many Central Coast families lost their homes, businesses, and farms.

“Starting in late March 1942, the Salinas Armory Building at 100 Howard Street became a Wartime Control Agency Assembly Center and on April 27, 1942, the Salinas Rodeo Grounds was converted to the “Salinas Assembly Center” where more than 3,500 Japanese and Japanese Americans of the Monterey Bay area were confined. Most of these detainees were later sent to Poston Relocation Center in the harsh Arizona desert in La Paz County. Nearly 18,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were imprisoned in Poston, but there were 9 other Relocations Centers throughout the country,” said Monterey County officials.

On April 12, 1943, when federal officials considered releasing Japanese Americans from the internment camps, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution protesting the release.

On Tuesday, Monterey County Officials gave a formal apology to the Japanese American community.

Mas Hashimoto was just six years old when he and his family were thrown into a Salinas Japanese Detention camp.

He was one of a handful of honored guests on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s apology is believed to be the first of its kind for any government body.

“In such a kind and thoughtful manner, so we are very thrilled,” Hashimoto said.

Hashimoto remembered his past. “We were imprisoned without charges, attorney, trial, or due process of law.’ He adds, “there is still injustice in the world, in this country. And we have to stand up for the truth.”