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Finding Aid for the Karl G. Yoneda Papers, 1928-1989
1592
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Description
Yoneda was born in Glendale, California, in 1906. He studied in Japan from 1913-26 and returned to the United States in 1927.
He joined the American Communist Party and which launched his career as a labor activist. A longshoreman by trade, he was
affiliated with the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU), and also served as a Congress of Industrial
Organizations (CIO) labor organizer. He edited the
Rodo Shimbun (
Japanese Labor News), the publication of the Japanese Bureau of the American Communist Party and wrote 5 books, 4 in Japanese. He and his wife,
Elaine, were interned at the Manzanar Relocation Center. After his release from Manzanar, Yoneda served in the United States
Military Intelligence Service as a Japanese language specialist in the China-Burma-India theater. The collection consists
of materials related to the history of Japanese involvement in the American left and labor movements. Of note are leaflets
and newspapers published and distributed by the Japanese Bureau of the American Communist Party and the files of the Rodo
Shimbun Co. (Japanese Labor News). There is also material related to Yoneda's and Elaine's internment at the Manzanar Relocation
Center. Most of the collection is in English and Japanese with portions in Chinese, Korean, Kachin, Shan, Burmese and Vietnamese.
Background
Yoneda was born in Glendale, California, in 1906; studied in Japan, 1913-26; returned to the United States, 1927; joined American
Communist Party and launched career as a labor activist; a longshoreman by trade, he was affiliated with the International
Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU), and also served as a Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) labor organizer;
edited
Rodo Shimbun (Japanese Labor News), the publication of the Japanese Bureau of the American Communist Party; wrote 5 books, 4 in Japanese;
interned at the Manzanar Relocation Center with his wife, Elaine; after his release from Manzanar, Yoneda served in the United
States Military Intelligence Service as a Japanese language specialist in the China-Burma-India theater.
Extent
31 boxes (15.5 linear ft.)
1 oversize box
Restrictions
Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. The library
can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or quote
must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian, Department of Special Collections.] Credit shall be given as follows:
[c in circle] The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.