Justice in Our Time: The Japanese Canadian Redress Settlement

Justice in Our Time chronicles the campaign by Japanese Canadians to obtain redress from the Canadian government for their internment and property losses during World War II. The book documents events from 1977 to 1988, following the key organizations and individuals who drove the redress movement. Through extensive research and interviews, author Ann Gomer Sunahara reconstructs the complex negotiations between Japanese Canadian leaders and the Canadian government. She examines the roles of various community groups, politicians, and civil servants in both advancing and opposing compensation efforts. The narrative traces how Japanese Canadians built coalitions, gathered evidence, and developed legal and political strategies to achieve their goals. It details the internal debates within the community about tactics and objectives, while also exploring the broader social context of multicultural policy in 1980s Canada. This historical account speaks to themes of justice, citizenship rights, and the power of organized grassroots movements to effect change in democratic societies. The book stands as both a record of a pivotal moment in Canadian civil rights history and an examination of how marginalized groups can successfully advocate for recognition and restitution.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Ann Gomer Sunahara's overall work: Readers value Sunahara's thorough research and use of primary sources in "The Politics of Racism." Many cite its detailed documentation of government decisions leading to Japanese Canadian internment. Multiple reviewers note the book presents complex historical events in clear, accessible language. Readers appreciate: - Extensive use of declassified documents and archival materials - Clear timeline of policy decisions and their impacts - Personal accounts that humanize the history - Neutral, factual tone in discussing controversial policies Main criticisms: - Limited coverage of post-war resettlement period - Some academic language can be dense for general readers - Print editions can be difficult to obtain Limited review data is available online, as the book was published in 1981 before widespread digital reviews. The digital edition (released 2000) has a 4.5/5 rating on Google Books based on 12 reviews. Academic citations and classroom usage suggest ongoing relevance as a historical reference. [Note: Limited public review data exists for this academic work, so this summary relies on available scholarly citations and educational use feedback]

Obasan by Joy Kogawa A novel drawing from historical records and personal experience tells the internment of Japanese Canadians through the story of a teacher who uncovers her family's buried memories of displacement.

The Enemy That Never Was by Ken Adachi This historical account documents Japanese Canadian experiences from immigration through internment to resettlement, incorporating personal testimonies and government documents.

Years of Sorrow, Years of Shame by Barry Broadfoot Oral histories from Japanese Canadians, their neighbors, and government officials provide first-hand perspectives of the internment period and its aftermath.

Righting Canada's Wrongs: Japanese Canadian Internment in the Second World War by Pamela Hickman and Masako Fukawa Photographs, documents, and personal narratives present the history of Japanese Canadian internment and the path to government redress.

Cartographies of Violence by Mona Oikawa Interviews with Japanese Canadian women reveal the gendered experiences of displacement and internment during World War II.

🍁 Author Ann Gomer Sunahara is married to David Sunahara, whose family was among the 22,000 Japanese Canadians forcibly relocated during WWII. 📚 The book was published in 1996 after extensive research using previously classified government documents that became available in the 1970s. ⚖️ The redress settlement discussed in the book resulted in a formal apology from the Canadian government and $21,000 in compensation to each surviving internee in 1988. 🏠 The Japanese Canadians lost approximately $443 million (in 1986 dollars) worth of property through forced sales during the internment period. 🗣️ The book reveals how key organizations like the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) strategically used media coverage and political pressure to achieve the historic settlement.