Held annually in various places such as Steveston, New Westminster, and Vancouver between 1923-1942, the Japanese Language School Educational Society created continuity between the schools spread across British Columbia, which by 1933 equaled 32, with a total of 2,813 pupils.[1] Mission representatives at these meetings included Mrs. Hatsune Kudo, Mr. Toroshichi Endo, Mr. Minoru Kudo, and Mr. Tashiro Hashizume.[2]
In 1918 the Kanada Nihonjinkai (Canada Japanese Association) adopted a policy that the children of immigrants should be taught foremost in English, the language of their country, which meant that Japanese Language School, while deemed important, were required to come secondary to public school.[3] The goal was for the Nisei to “become good citizens of their country.”[4] The Japanese Language School Educational Society shared this perspective and rounded it out for their vision of education, for along with recording the number of teachers, students, grades, and costs of each Japanese school in BC, they created a policy which included the following five goals:
Maintaining Harmony with Parents: Many of the Issei…who came to this country from Japan lack the ability to speak, write and understand English. What would it be like if their children did not know Japanese? There are already gaps in communications between them, and without Japanese language education, it is natural that this gap will widen more. For this reason, in the interest of maintaining harmony in the family, teaching of the Japanese language is important.
To Provide Advantage in Future Employment: It is not necessarily true to say that the Nisei will obtain the same employment opportunities as other Canadians. There will be cases where they will be handicapped because of Japanese descent. On the other hand, there will be cases where they will be able to get better employment because of Japanese descent. Examples of such employment are activities relating to Japan and its people in various fields. . . For this reason, by studying the Japanese language, the Nisei will be at an advantage in any future employment.
From Viewpoint of Japan-Canada Friendship: Conflicts between nations occur mostly from mutual misunderstanding. . . by learning the language of Japan, he or she will be able through their acquired languages learn more about the conditions, traditions, sensitivities, etc. of both countries. This would prevent conflicts from occurring and eventually lead to promotion of friendship. . .
Understanding of the Special Features of Japanese People: …Ethnic ideals and spirit can only be appreciated by learning and studying its language and also by understanding their philosophy. . . Although the Japanese language is seen as foreign in the eyes of Canadians, it is nevertheless the ethnic language of our forefathers.
From Viewpoint of Cultural Contribution: By knowing 2 or more languages, one can experience firsthand the distinct features of the culture originating from that country and its people. One can also possess the ability to better understand the cultures of both countries and also be able to develop on the cultures.[5]
These goals reveal the society’s respect for the complexity of language as not only a form of communication, but as a way of understanding the world, and staying connected to the past. How families and children on an individual level responded to and embodied these goals is unclear, but it is safe to say that it was not simple or straightforward. However, there is an intentionality to the goals that exhudes a deep desire to give their children a wellrounded education and to prepare them well for whatever opportunities crossed their paths.
[1] Charles H. Young, Helen R. Reid, and W. A. Carrothers. The Japanese Canadians (Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1938), 137. Mission Community Archives, Mission, BC.
[2] William T. Hashizume. History of the Japanese Language School Educational Society, 1923-1942, trans. (Mission Community Archives, Mission. BC).
[3] William T. Hashizume. Japanese Community in Mission: A Brief History 1904-1942 (North York: Musson Copy Centre, 2002), 19. Mission Community Archives, Mission, BC.
[4] The Japanese Community in Mission, 19.
[5] William T. Hashizume. History of the Japanese Language School Educational Society, 1923-1942, trans. (Mission Community Archives, Mission. BC).