‘Can’t Believe It’s True — Japanese Students
‘We Will Not Shirk Our Duty,’ Nipponese Agree

By DICK TAKEUCHI

“We hoped at first that it was German raiders. It’s still unbelievable.”
Such was the first reaction of American-born Japanese University students who sat huddled around the radio in their clubhouse last night, and utterly bewildered, tried to imagine that the country of their ancestors had actually attacked the United States.
Representative of more than 400 Japanese students enrolled here at the University, the students at the Japanese clubhouse reaffirmed their loyalty to the United States as American citizens.
“It’s taken me by surprise — knocked me off my feet. But as citizens of this country, our duty is clear and none of use will shirk it,” Tom Kanno, vice-president of the club, declared, speaking for other members of the organization.
The Japanese students could see no logical reason for the unprecedented attack on Hawaii by Nippon planes and warships.
One student, Dick Okada, whose home and family are in Honolulu, was visibly shocked and bewildered. He seemed unable to comprehend that warships of his parents’ country were shelling their nations.
“Early radio reports have said that Japanese aliens in Hawaii may have aided the offshore forces. That may be true, but of my friends who are American citizens, I do not believe it possible,” Okada, who registered at the University last winter, declared.
Among students questioned was Yutaka Semba, senior in economics and business, who is scheduled to be drafted in January.
Speechless
“I’m speechless,” was all he had to say.
His friends pointed out that he may be fighting against people of his own race.
Most of the students were afraid that the excitement and suspense of the events might lead to racial outbreaks against Japanese in general.
Harold Inatomi, student from Los Angeles, was one of the students who had hoped that first reports were false, that the warships and planes were German and not Japanese.
As reports filtered through the loudspeaker that Japanese in the area were being rounded up or closely watched he declared that there was “absolutely no danger” from Japanese in his home town from saboteurs.
Not Held Possible
The outbreak of war between the United States and Japan was not held possible because of the great distances involved, students explained.
As war, or undeclared war became a reality, the shock to these students was reflected and magnified in their parents, most of whom are Japanese citizens.
That their parents may be confined in a concentration camp while they faced discrimination and suspicion was held not impossible by many of the students.
Confused by Reports
An American-born teaching fellow in the far eastern department, Nobutaka Ike, was also confused by the radio reports of the bombing and shelling of the United States’ Pacific outpost.
“I though it was a recurrence of Orson Welles imaginative invasion from Mars and couldn’t believe it was true,” Ike said.
After the initial shock had worn off, the Japanese students generally agreed that they could face whatever the future would hold for them as American citizens with an “Oriental mask.”
Our immediate concern, however, is about the final exams,” one student wryly asserted.