Bunro Sakaino Concentration Camp Diary

Transcript

February

February 1 (Monday)

Radio broadcast this morning reported that there was a huge ocean battle in the Solomon Islands, and the U.S. navy has lost two battleships and three ocean vessels, a total of five boats. There has been a huge celebration among the fellow citizens since early morning. News reported by the U.S. side has been about the total destruction of the Japanese military force in the Solomon Islands and huge damage suffered by the Japanese navy that forced them to completely withdraw. We internees do not trust such news, but it has been depressing to encounter such unilateral fake news to fool innocent people.

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It is totally understandable that we feel rather refreshed with news such as this. It is reported that the Japanese military has lost 10 airplanes. More detailed news was broadcasted in the evening. The U. S. deployed 20 cruisers on top of the five boats according to the news. It must have been a large-scale battle if that is true.

Mr. Azuma asked for my opinion about rehearing as his son sent a telegram to let him know that he would like to move forward to submit a request for it and would like to find out how his father feels about it. I immediately advised him to move forward with the request, and he agreed and decided to send a telegram back to his son. I am having a hard time why Mr. Azuma ended up being arrested and detained with us in this discriminatory matter to start with. I would imagine his son sent him a telegram as he has a solid plan, and I also think there is a good chance that he will receive a favorable sentence for his rehearing.

News was delivered that Chiang Kai-shek has a plan to travel to Washington D.C. to seek asylum. It was reported the Japanese government is expected to cease the war immediately. If it is true, it should be a result of the internal turmoil due to the coup d’etat by the Chiang Kai-shek followers against the military. There is no doubt that collapse of the Nationalist Government in China would make a significant difference to how this war pans out. It will trigger the Japanese military to launch a full attack against India under large-scale operations.

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The Soviet Union will be in a more difficult position. Therefore, some level of treaty between Japan and Germany and the Soviet Union could be expected taking advantage of this opportunity. The biggest impact caused by the ceasefire between Japan and China will be on the nations in South America where diplomatic relationship to the axis powers were severed. Mrs. Chiang Kai-shek might be staying in Washington D.C. to prepare the receiving ground for the exile of him and his comrades.