Nearly 100 people attended a moving and often emotional ceremony in Mitchell’s Bay last week as Chatham-Kent and the National Association of Japanese Canadians, dedicated Sakura cherry trees and heritage markers to commemorate the forced migration of Japanese Canadians, to this community during World War Two.
Ms. Takako Ito, Consul General of Japan in Toronto, spoke of how the two nations, once enemies in war, have become among the world’s strongest democracies, sharing common values and trade, while retaining their identities.
Mayor Randy Hope said “the lesson of the past must be remembered” and thanked municipal staff, including Jeff Bray, manager of parks and open spaces, and Ken Noma, Past President of the National Association of Japanese Canadians & Co-chair, Japanese Canadian Heritage Marker Project Past president, for more than two years of effort in bringing the project to completion.
He spoke of the contributions made locally by Japanese-Canadians who stayed here after the Second World War.
More than 150 men of Japanese ancestry (among thousands nationally), were brought to this community under the War Measures Act, during the 1940s.
Plaques and cherry trees will be placed in locations across the municipality.
Japanese-Canadian heritage groups have raised $18,000 for the project.
A number of individuals whose families were involved in the relocation spoke fondly of their bonds to the community, that became and remains their home.
Among the other speakers were Patricia Simpson, President, Hamilton NAJC; Jim Moore, Past President, Rotary Club of Toronto Bay-Bloor; MPP Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and MPP Mr. Rick Nicholls, Deputy Speaker Ontario Legislature, Chatham-Kent-Essex
The event concluded with a performance by Japanese musical group Ten Ten.
