Humanity and the WWII Japanese American Experience

Speaker: Constance Hays Matsumoto

Suitable for Schools · Grades 9–12

This program examines militaristic Japan and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima alongside the often-overlooked history of the WWII incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry—most of them American citizens. Through the lens of one family’s story, this program explores war, displacement, injustice, and resilience in the face of profound hardship. Told through the true stories of author Constance Hays Matsumoto’s family members — her Japanese American mother-in-law and father-in-law—this presentation is grounded in historical accuracy and lived experiences. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of this history and its impact that continues today.