Mutual Hostages: Canadians and Japanese during the Second World War

Mutual Hostages examines the parallel internment experiences of Canadians in Japan and Japanese citizens in Canada during World War II. The book draws from archival records, personal letters, and government documents to reconstruct this complex period of Canadian-Japanese relations. Patricia Roy traces the lives of civilians caught between two nations at war, documenting the conditions in internment camps, the bureaucratic processes, and the diplomatic negotiations between governments. The narrative follows both sides of the Pacific, providing context for the decisions made by Canadian and Japanese authorities regarding the treatment of enemy aliens. Through detailed research, Roy explores how racial prejudice, wartime paranoia, and political pressures shaped the fates of thousands of civilians. The book reveals how these internment experiences continued to impact Canadian-Japanese relations and domestic policies in the post-war period. This dual perspective on wartime civilian internment raises questions about national security, human rights, and the long-term consequences of government actions during times of international conflict.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Patricia E. Roy's overall work: Roy's academic works receive attention primarily from scholars and students of Canadian history. Readers note her thorough research and detailed documentation of anti-Asian discrimination in British Columbia. What readers liked: - Comprehensive archival research and primary source citations - Clear chronological organization - Balanced presentation of historical events - Detailed footnotes and bibliographies What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging for general readers - Some sections focus heavily on policy minutiae - Limited personal narratives and first-hand accounts from Asian Canadians Ratings/Reviews: Goodreads: - "A White Man's Province" - 3.8/5 (12 ratings) - "The Oriental Question" - 4.0/5 (8 ratings) Amazon reviews are limited, with most books having 1-2 reviews. Academic journal reviews consistently praise Roy's research methodology while noting the specialized nature of her work. One history student reviewer noted: "Essential for research but requires patience - not a casual read."

Three Faces of Internment by Andrew B. Wertheimer Examines the parallel experiences of Japanese Americans, German Americans, and Italian Americans in US internment camps during World War II.

Exiled to Motown by Mika Kennedy Chronicles the Japanese American community in Detroit during WWII as they navigated relocation, discrimination, and identity formation.

The Politics of Racism by Ann Gomer Sunahara Documents the Canadian government's decisions and policies that led to Japanese Canadian internment through archival records and testimonies.

Cartographies of Violence by Mona Oikawa Explores the spatial dimensions of Japanese Canadian internment through mapping displacement patterns and examining geographic power structures.

Obasan by Joy Kogawa Tells the story of Japanese Canadians during WWII through a narrative that weaves together historical documentation and personal memory.

🍁 More than 90% of Japanese Canadians lived in British Columbia prior to WWII, with most concentrated in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. 🗃️ Patricia E. Roy spent over three decades researching Japanese-Canadian history and is Professor Emerita at the University of Victoria. ⚖️ The Canadian government seized and sold Japanese-Canadian property without consent during WWII, with total losses estimated at $443 million in today's dollars. 🏭 While Japanese Canadians faced internment, many of their confiscated fishing boats were used by the Canadian navy for coastal patrol duties. 🗞️ The book's title "Mutual Hostages" refers to how both Japanese nationals in Canada and Canadians in Japan were effectively held hostage by their respective host countries during the war.