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December 12, 1941

On Behalf of a Committee of Japanese Artists Resident In New York City, We Wish To Issue The Following Declaration:

The unprovoked and vicious attack on America by Japan during negotiations between the two countries shocked us beyond expression. That it came even while President Roosevelt was sending overtures to Hirohito, proves that the attack was deliberately staged to forestall his peace efforts. Obviously an irresponsible and militaristic clique is in the driving seat. They are part of the Fascist War machine driving toward World domination. They represent a dire threat to all mankind and its institutions evolved through thousands of years of cultural growth and development. For many years most of us have resided in America. We have participated as individuals and as a group in the cultural and artistic life of the community. We have been privileged to enjoy freedom of expression and action extended to all inhabitants of this great Democratic land, the U.S.A. Let us express here and now our tremendous anxiety for national defense of America; our determination to support it to our utmost power as artists and men, and further, to bear arms if necessary to insure the final victory for the Democratic forces of the world. Whether a Fascist calls himself German, Italian or Japanese, he is  part end parcel of the same plot against all mankind.

Signed

NAME                        ADDRESS
Yasuo Kuniyoshi
Chuzo Tamotzu
Thomas Nagai
Sakari Suzuki
Roy Kadowaki
Bunji Tagawa
Leo Amino