Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California

Contents

Introduction
Immigration
Settlement
Organizations/Religion
Discrimination
World War II Incarceration

Historic Sites
Selected References

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Oyama Property, Oyama et al. v. State of California
Chula Vista, San Diego County

Between 1944 and 1948, the State of California filed almost 80 escheat cases against issei farmers, collecting land and money worth a quarter of a million dollars from a score of Japanese American families. The Oyama Case tested the validity of property gifts by aliens ineligible for citizenship to their own minor children, who possessed U.S. citizenship.

Kajiro and Kohide Oyama were immigrants from Japan, and according to the Alien Land Law, ineligible to own property in the state. A son, Fred, was born in California in 1928. When Fred was six years old, his parents purchased six acres of agricultural land in Southern California for $4,000. The property was recorded in Fred's name.

Some six months later, Kajiro Oyama petitioned to become his son's guardian, stating that Fred owned the six acres of land. This was approved by the Superior Court of San Diego County. When Fred was nine years old, in 1937, June Kushino, guardian of another minor, sold an adjoining two acres to Fred Oyama for $1,500. Funds for the purchase were provided by Fred's father, Kajiro Oyama.

Oyama Property, Chula Vista, San Diego County

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