Ethnic Status and American Image: A Re-examination into the Case of Korematsu versus the United States

Abstract

Since the late 19th century, Japanese immigrants have been ostracized and legally restricted by American society, and have not been trusted by the U.S. government which was on guard against Japan. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Japanese residents on the west coast of the United States were forcibly relocated to inland camps. Fred Korematsu, a Japanese-American, was sued for his refusal to comply with the orders. But he insisted on defending himself and lost his case in a 6-3 decision by the Supreme Court in 1944. It not only involved wartime military necessity and minority civil rights, but also concerned American international image and citizenship identity linked to liberal values.