The Kawasaki Reading Room and the Nebraska State Historical Society will have a photo exhibit and presentation on the history of the Japanese immigrants in Nebraska on Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 16.
Monday through Thursday, Kawasaki Reading Room in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center:
- photo exhibit: 10:00am to 6:00pm
- photo exhibit: 10:00am to 3:00pm
- presentation: 3:00pm to 4:30pm
The Japanese are a part of Nebraska's rich history of immigrant populations.
They came to the United States during the turn of the twentieth century, originally working as railroad laborers and strike breakers in Omaha's stockyards. They were eventually forced to find employment elsewhere. Unfortunately, a stigma grew against hiring Japanese laborers and many were unable to find employment.
Many of the immigrants traveled west toward North Platte and Scottsbluff and established a Japanese community. They set up farms, opened cafes, and became ministers, among other roles.
The population was not large, but they were vital members of the community, active in the Episcopalian Church and local events.
In the 1950s, the U.S. government allowed the Japanese to take the citizenship exam - despite having been there most of their lives.
Today, only a few of the children of the original immigrants remain, but the population is still strong.
