Japanese American History Documentary Trilogy

Nationwide Free Streaming

September 7, 2024 (Sat) – September 29, 2024 (Sun)

In commemoration of the 100th birthday of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a trilogy of documentary films depicting the history of Japanese Americans during World War II—’Toyo’s Camera – Japanese American History during WWII,’ ‘442 – Live with Honor, Die with Dignity,’ and ‘MIS – Human Secret Weapon’—will be available for free streaming across the United States. The streaming period will be from September 7th, the late Senator Inouye’s birthday, to September 29th.

Toyo’s Camera -Japanese American History during WWII-
(Japanese Title: 東洋宮武が覗いた時代)

Produced in 2008

Directed by Junichi Suzuki

The outbreak of the Pacific War led to the internment of Japanese Americans, who lost everything and were sent to internment camps. Among them was Toyo Miyatake, a photographer. He secretly smuggled a forbidden lens into the Manzanar internment camp and built a handmade camera to document the camp’s reality. What do Toyo’s photographs reveal? Through his work, the film depicts the life in the camps and the history of Japanese Americans.

442 -Live with Honor, Die with Dignity-
(Japanese Title: 442日系部隊アメリカ史上最強の陸軍)

Produced in 2010

Directed by Junichi Suzuki

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Japanese Americans, fought for America during World War II, even while their families were interned. They suffered numerous casualties as they liberated towns in Europe under Nazi occupation, including France. Known as the strongest regiment in history, they are still celebrated as heroes. However, their story also conceals the struggles of being Japanese American and the enduring scars of war.

MIS -Human Secret Weapon-

(Japanese Title: 二つの祖国で日系陸軍情報部)

Produced in 2012

Directed by Junichi Suzuki

The Military Intelligence Service (MIS) was a U.S. secret intelligence agency composed of Japanese American Nisei. Unlike the 442nd Regiment, they were deployed as intelligence officers in the Pacific War, directly confronting the Japanese military. The film reveals the long-hidden reality of the MIS and portrays the pride and sorrow of the Nisei who accepted their fate to fight against their parents’ homeland.

About Daniel K. Inouye

Daniel Ken Inouye was born on September 7, 1924, in Honolulu, Hawaii. During World War II, he served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was composed of Japanese Americans, and lost his right arm in combat in Italy. Inouye was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with Cluster for his valor in battle. After the war, he entered politics and became the first Japanese American to serve as a U.S. Congressman. He played a key role in the passage of the wartime compensation laws and gained national prominence in the 1970s as a member of the Senate Watergate Committee and as Chairman of the Senate Iran-Contra Committee in 1987. Serving nearly 50 years as a senior member of the Senate, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2013, becoming the first and only senator to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.