Dr. Noriko Sugimori started an interview project to record memories of World War II in Japan. Students help conduct interviews that are filmed and translated for English audiences. The project expanded through a collaboration with Dr. Midori Yoshii, who added an international history element. Two interviewees discussed their experiences - Iba Haruko talked about her nursing training and life in a dorm during the war while starving, and Kasuyo Hideo spoke about Japan's colonies and the postwar consequences. The document emphasizes that recording these firsthand accounts is important as WWII fades into the past and gives a global perspective on a consequential period of history.

1. Memories of
World War II in Japan
Erika Worley, Lauren Steinke, & Noriko Sugimori

2. ➢ Dr. Sugimori’s language
interview project
➢ A trend amongst the Japanese-
speaking interviewees
➢ The new interview project
➢ Getting students involved
An Introduction
Dr. Noriko Sugimori

3. ➢ The interviews focus on the
war in Japan, although
participants are sometimes
from outside Japan
➢ Each interview is filmed, then
translated for English-speaking
audiences
The Interview Project
An interviewee posing with research assistant Erika
Worley in Kalamazoo, MI

4. ➢ Dr. Midori Yoshii,
professor of International
Studies at Albion College
➢ “An International History
of Modern Japan”
➢ Adding history to the
project
Outside Connections
Dr. Midori Yoshii with both classes, including research
assistants Erika Worley and Lauren Steinke

5. ➢ Online communication
➢ Sakura Sushi & Grill,
Battle Creek, MI
➢ What everyone learned about
the research process and
WWII
Student Discussion

6. Iba Haruko
➢ Training to be a nurse
➢ Dormitory life during the
war
➢ Starving and stealing food
Kasuyo Hideo
➢ Japan’s colonies, part of
Japan
➢ Japanese workers
➢ Postwar consequences
Interviewees

7. ➢ An increasingly globalized world
➢ A small remaining window of opportunity
➢ A necessary perspective as WWII fades into the past
➢ Precious human experiences
➢ The young history recorders of today will become the
history makers of tomorrow
Why is it important?

8. Thank you all for coming!