In Robert Nakamura’s WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE, three issei (first generation Japanese Americans) describe a collective history through personal memories. The film stands as one of the quintessential documentary portraits celebrating the legacy of the issei. It had the distinction of being presented at The White House in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial festivities, and is still an unequalled study of early Asian American community-building. WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE was directed by Visual Communications co-founder Robert Nakamura (MANZANAR, HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER) and is one of four productions that are regarded as “Visual Communications Classics” for their incisive portraits of the Asian Pacific American Experience. This 4K restoration was funded by the National Film Preservation Foundation.

The film looks back at the life of a man named Oda and other Japanese Americans through the decades as they face great challenges and joys living in the United States.

HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER (4K RESTORATION) coming soon in Spring 2025

Created by Robert Nakamura as a graduate student in the UCLA Film School’s Ethnocommunications Program, MANZANAR was one of the first films distributed by Visual Communications. At turns lyrical and pensive, this documentary is centered around the central California Japanese American internment camp of the same name. In it, a nisei (second-generation Japanese American) recollects his childhood experiences in the camp as he comes to terms with how internment has affected his adult life.

In Robert Nakamura’s WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE, three issei (first generation Japanese Americans) describe a collective history through personal memories. The film stands as one of the quintessential documentary portraits celebrating the legacy of the issei. It had the distinction of being presented at The White House in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial festivities, and is still an unequalled study of early Asian American community-building. WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE was directed by Visual Communications co-founder Robert Nakamura (MANZANAR, HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER) and is one of four productions that are regarded as “Visual Communications Classics” for their incisive portraits of the Asian Pacific American Experience. This 4K restoration was funded by the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Kathy Masaoka, Co-Chair of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives, and Alex Kanegawa, member of Nikkei Progressives, provide an afterword to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981.

Co-Chair of NCRR/Los Angeles Kay Ochi provides an overview introduction of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981. Kay Ochi emphasizes the power of testimonies, grassroots organizations, and the importance of speaking out against injustice.

Elected Officials give their testimonies on the circumstances and facts surrounding the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Introduction by Co-Chair of NCRR/Los Angeles Kay Ochi.

Japanese Americans break their silence to speak out on the pain, suffering, and loss experienced as a result of the issuance of Executive Order 9066. The first-hand accounts detail the enormous loss of property and business among many Japanese Americans after World War II. Introduction by Jim Matsuoka, Co-Founder of Los Angeles Committee Coalition for Redress and Reparations, NCRR, and a member of the Manzanar Committee.

Testifiers speak out on the heartbreaking accounts of camp experiences, post-war trauma, and the racial prejudice endured by many Japanese Americans. Introduction by Harry Kawahara, Former Redress Committee Chairman.

Testifiers continue to speak out on the intergenerational impact of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese Americans. The demand for Community Redress and Reparations grows as the testimonies continue to speak out on the psychological trauma and feelings of shame felt by many interned Japanese Americans. Introduction by Duane Kubo, Co-Founder of Visual Communications.

On the evening of August 4, 1981, NCRR arranged a special evening session at the Little Tokyo Towers in Los Angeles, so that people who worked during the day could attend and participate in the CWRIC hearings. While the testimony footage for this session is incomplete and disjointed, the testifiers provide their heartbreaking experiences of personal loss, trauma, and discrimination. Introduction by Kennedy Kabasares of PULLproject Ensemble, "Tales of Clamor".

Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) veterans speak out about the injustice shown to Japanese Americans during World War II and in solidarity demand redress. A confrontation occurs between testifier Jim Kawaminami and author Lillian Baker, who denied that Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

Testifiers continue to show bravery in speaking out on the impact of Japanese internment during World War II. These stories show the economic loss, psychological trauma, and impact on education for many interned Japanese. Introduction by Jen Noji of Nikkei Progressives and Alan Nishio, Former Co-Chair of NCRR Los Angeles.

In a lunch-time rally planned by NCRR, organizations and communities come together in solidarity to speak out in support for Japanese American Redress. Introduction by Miya Iwataki, Co-Founder of NCRR.

As the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Los Angeles hearings resume, Issei testifiers speak out on the injustice shown towards people of Japanese ancestry during World War II. Testifiers from the San Diego Redress and Reparations Committee also speak out on behalf of their experiences and their families. Introduction by Jan Tokumaru, Co-Chair of Nikkei Progressives.

As the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Los Angeles hearings proceed, testimonies of financial losses and psychological trauma drive the movement for Redress and Reparations forward. The testifiers show solidarity in their support for interned people of Japanese ancestry. Introduction by Mark Masaoka and Miyako Noguchi of Nikkei Progressives.

As the final day of the CWRIC hearings conclude, testifiers continue to speak out on the impact of EO 9066 on Japanese American communities and unite in their demand for monetary redress. The testimonies recall business property loss, resettlement difficulties, and racial prejudice. Introduction by Richard Katsuda, educator and co-chair of NCRR.

Testifiers continue to speak out on economic and property loss as a result of forced relocation and internment. Japanese Americans share their experiences of search, seizure, and mistreatment during their time spent in internment camps. Introduction by Alison Kochiyama, Executive Director of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

Testimonies emerge from the issei (first generation Japanese) perspective as testifiers demand to speak out in Japanese. Japanese Americans from Terminal Island tell their stories of being forcibly removed from their homes and placed into internment camps. Introduction by Yasuko Sakamoto of NCRR, and Alina Nakano, granddaughter of Bert and Lillian Nakano.

Mental health professionals provide insight into the detrimental effects of camp trauma and the impact on psychological and physical health. Japanese Americans speak out on the extreme racial prejudice and discrimination experienced in post-camp life. Introduction by Karen Umemoto, Executive Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, and Michael Nishimura, member of Nikkei Progressives.

Testifiers continue to speak out on the economic loss and psychological impact of Japanese internment during World War II. Recollections of post-camp resettlement also demonstrate the discrimination and prejudice experienced by many Japanese Americans. Introduction by June Hibino of Nikkei Progressives and NCRR.

Members from various associations and organizations provide legal viewpoints on the constitutional issues and impact of camp experiences on Japanese American psyche. All of them demand for monetary reparations and constitutional remedy. Introduction by Steve Nagano of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives.

The three days of CWRIC LA hearings concludes with final comments from the three remaining Commissioners present. [Commissioners Arthur S. Flemming, Hugh B. Mitchell, and William M. Marutani] Introduction by Abraham Ferrer of Visual Communications.

Kathy Masaoka, Co-Chair of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives, and Alex Kanegawa, member of Nikkei Progressives, provide an afterword to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981.