As a Japanese, how his grandfather didn't share the family history reminds me of my grandfather, who also did not share much and even literally burned the family tree document with hundreds of history...for my grandfather, I assume it because of the mess happened during the war tho. By the way, I would suggest him to go search for his family using the Koseki system in Japan. Though viewing the pre-war Koseki might be hard, seeing his great-grandfather was a successful merchant, I assume he can find some trace of his great-grandfather. Furthermore, seeing his great-grandfather's name, Ryuji, and the way he named his children, I guess he must have an older sibling with "一"(ichi or kazu if female...like Kazuko or Kazumi) in the name (that's how it normally goes back in the time) so chances are he can even find his cousins living in Japan or somewhere else in this world! :D
Your comments reminded me in my secondary school days, 1 of my classmate is also Japanese roots but born in Singapore. He mentioned something similar, his grandfather burn his old documents and photos. And claim himself as not related Japanese. But his father was curious to find out more about their Japanese roots n even name him Taka something. Sorry whole class only call him by taka so i also dont remember his exact full name. It's taka something but not takashimaya.
Hello there, thank you for sharing of your family and I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your heritage. You are right by saying going to look at the Koseki might help. Unfortunately, there is a very high chance of not finding the record as it is pre-war as you said. Our biggest issue is narrowing down where my great-grandfather came from. We believe he brought his family down from Kyushu. Which island is beyond what I know.
@@ctfan Hello! Hmmm, I see...quick research but I found out the article the Japanese Foreign Ministry issued last March about how to search the record of overseas travel back in the pre-war era, due to the increasing volume of the inquiry from the Japanese migrants in the world in search of their family history, just like yours. If the reason you believe your family is from Kyusyu is that his ship departed from Nagasaki, I recommend you to take a look at this! You might be able to find the information about your great-grandparents and great-great-grandmother's passports there:) Ofc, even if you know nothing about the ship, you still can take a look at ALL the records there, one by one. Good news is, they are still working on the record and currently preparing to make it digital archive which you probably be able to search even you are in Singapore:)! I sincerely wish you good luck!! ( I am sorry if you already knew this, then please ignore 😅😅🙇🏻♀️) www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100086823.pdf
Dear Kawaguchi. As what I know, there are indeed good Japanese in Singapore helping the local here during the occupation. And these good Japanese people here also included the Japanese soldiers who were stationed here. I knew about a Japanese official who did help and concern about the welfare of the local here. There was another Japanese Shinozaki Mamoru who worked as a spy in Singapore before the Japanese soldiers came in. During the terrible Sook Ching event in Chinatown, Shinozaki issued many passes for the local Chinese, Eurasian and European so that they would be free from harassment from the Japanese soldiers. I am a Christian (Catholic), knowing that most of the Japanese Catholic community started in Nagasaki during the early days in Japan, when you can find many old Japanese churches in Nagasaki now adays. I strongly believe that there were indeed many Japanese Catholic in Nagasaki during the war thought badly on the war but were forced to join the military... just like certain scene I saw in the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima". And sadly is these Japanese Catholic sacrificed as part of the reason to end the World War Two after the second atomic bomb was dropped there in Nagasaki during 1945 (when it was intended to dropped elsewhere initially according to the Japanese plan). You can find out more about the interesting history about Nagasaki and the Christian (Catholic) community there from history resources. Domo arigato. 平和... Have a nice day.
My granduncle, Masaji was working for Mamoru Shinozaki , who became chief Welfare Officer of the Syonan municipal office during the occupation. As he spoke, English, Japanese and Malay, he became Mr Shinozaki's translator and assistant, helping him run errands to help the local populace behind the back of the Japanese government at that time. He was also very active in organising sport meets during the period. Unfortunately he died of tuberculosis before the war ended. He is mentioned in Mr. Shinozaki's autobiography: Syonan: My Story : the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.
@@ctfan Dear Kawaguchi... Thank you for the interesting information. Sorry about your granduncle who died of tuberculosis at a young age. He would be always remembered for the good deed that he had done for others. Feeling proud for you for having a granduncle who was one of those great Japanese during the occupation period. I am already 48 this year, a born Singaporean too... Although I have no Japanese blood in me, but I am very fascinating about the common Japanese lifestyle since young in the early 80s. Japan, is being one of my favorite countries other than China. I will always pray for peace between these two natons.
@@ctfan If there's anything history has taught us, is that, no matter where you're born at, there will always be those who are good and bad around us. I humbly believe Japan went through a very unfortunate time in their lives where they were being misguided by certain people of power/influence to want to unite the world by raising wars on other lands into thinking this particular transgression is morally acceptable. And especially in a time where social media hadn't exist yet, it's much easier to spread lies and propaganda to your people to attain those goals. With this absence of technology, people don't really know what is going on outside their lands much less in theirs. And when this happens, people can become easily influenced to believing the actions and sayings of their leaders as heroes. But as there are lies, there are truths as well. I'm sure there are those who believe what their leaders are doing, is wrong. Maybe it's because of fear or lack of voice, that they weren't able to stop those transgression from taking place. And I feel these people. To know that the world world will see your people in a bad light, due to the misguidance of some people, is a terrible feeling that no one would want to go through. But where there lies darkness, there is always a glimpse of hope and light to those who are still hopeful for a better future. And that time is our time today. People in the past might hate what Japan did to their families back then, but not the future generation. As much as anyone would hate to know about their ancestors being tortured, we despise revenge and hatred as well, regardless of the past. The only reason why we're able to overlook the past, is thanks to us being born as human beings who are able to have compassion and mercy towards others. Without all these gifts, humanity will never survive. So no matter what time we're living in, bad people will always exist to corrupt society but be glad to know that there's good people lying around within the corners waiting to fight back such evil as well. And that begins with us, the younger generation in ensuring that we don't allow our friends and families to become bad. Because if they do, and no one stops it, history will repeat itself, again. But I honestly believe, light will ALWAYS prevail over darkness as day rises over the night. From a fellow Singaporean youth, I hope this message encourages others alike to think positively and not give up on hope. 💪
@@yellowbeez93 Yes I agree... well written. And I also know of a group of high ranking German military officer were actually setting up campaign during the World War Two in stopping the aggression of their own force. But of course, all these are not greatly highlighted by the world, as many are overwhelming by the negatives.
Japanese living in Singapore may have hard time expressing their Japanese roots due to Japanese involvement in world war 2. That is probably why his ancestors were hesitating share the story but to start a new life in a new country with new history. I am surprised with Singapore diversity with several generations Japanese living there. It is very unique and preserving the family line. The 4th generation descendant started to research in a good timing to help to learn about family roots.
It's funny how this popped up on my sister's youtube feed. It's worth mentioning that our surname's are Hirayama too - and we both grew up in Malaysia. Makes me realise how much I don't know about my Japanese family heritage. Definitely serves as a reminder for me to learn more as my father (who's of Japanese lineage) is still around - growing up, we've never really gotten to know him as he was quite secretive himself. Thanks for this video - definitely serves as a reminder to bridge that distance from our father; whilst we still have the opportunity to do it.
@@araisannanoda3688 Hi Arai, yes my sister and I were both raised in Malaysia. Our mother is Malaysian Chinese and father is Japanese - definitely glad to be living in this 21st century where it's common to come from a mixed background!
There r Chinese Singaporeans, Malay Singaporeans, Indian Singaporeans, Eurasian Singaporeans. Of course, there are Japanese Singaporeans who r also very much of Singapore identity. It must be very conflicting for the locally-borned Hirayama during the Japanese occupation. Great story!
Most of the present Chinese Singaporean actually came to Singapore around that time period as well, up to perhaps 1930s~1940s? Those that came before 1910s are usually here to work as coolies.
Thank you for sharing this different side of history, I think it adds to the richness of what it means to be Singaporean. Also, kudos to the animators who did those wonderful sequences, especially the transition from cricket ball to Japanese flag. Great work!
Love it when his eyes light up when good things were mentioned about his ancestors. I grew up with 3 japanese families in the 80's when we were building our first MRT lines. The family we were closest to are still here. Their only daughter is married now with 3 kids. Stay on, keep well.
Very interesting story, I hope more ppl tell us their stories like yours , how many local Japanese had helped the locals during the war , I hope more war victims had known your granduncle masagi too so that he could save them
Thank you for sharing your family's past. No matter what had happened, we needs to know our family's history. This 4th generation Japanese descendants should not stopped from knowing their family backgrounds.
Your grand uncle Masaji was a student in ACS, an athlete, and did what he could to protect his fellow schoolmates as well as made life easier during the was. There could be many people among us today who owe their existence to him. His death was a great loss.
I’m so envious :( My grandma was born in China but was subsequently “given” to a malay family during the war. When she passed away, her kids found her chinese passport/identity card(?). But just as it had suddenly appeared, it suddenly disappeared too. I wish I had some form of way to find out about my family heritage too 😭
Nothing to do with him. Its a fact his great grandfather n his 2 son are really good looking. I am NOT judging the guy man on his looks nor want to comment about him. I am only attracted by his great grandfather.
I am fourth generation Japanese-American. The difference between us is not only location and age (I am almost 70). Until the 1960s, ethnic Japanese were the majority in Hawaii and Japan never invaded or conquered Hawaii. My father and uncles served in the United States Army during the Second World War as so many other Japanese-Americans did. Consequently, we don't suffer the stigma you do. My family maintains relations with relatives in Japan but we are unquestionably American as you are Singaporean.
Because Japan kept their documentation as well as heritage and lineage too. Similar when most British common wealth countries documented births and deaths. Many still don't today.
He live throughout his childhood life until now. Really, if come talk to me, i would consider him just a normal Chinese Singaporean guy.. He has pure Singapore style of accents when he speaks but trully he is a Japanese. For me that is awesome!
Ya lah he is Singaporean and I bet he and his cousin can’t speak Japanese well. It is just that they got the Japanese blood inherited from their passed down ancestors.
The following is merely background for the main point. The ancient Japanese imperial chronicle, Nihongi, along with history and legends, extends my ancestry back to 23 B.C. My paternal line was noble and my family provided three empress-consorts over the course of a millennium. However, in the final analysis, this is nothing but good cocktail party conversation, assuming people are interested (most aren't). Being the best, most honest and honorable person you can be and giving your descendants an example is better than having a lineage like mine.
A beautiful story indeed, so rich in memories of the Japanese who lived here prior to WW2. I had vaguely known of the Japanese people who settled here prior to the war and this video gave me a greater perspective of how the early Japanese live here then . It surely adds a deeper understanding of the of many races and cultures that Singapore made up of. I am enriched for watching this video and thank Mr Minoru and his cousin for sharing their Singaporean heritage with us .
This is very insightful. It opened my mind a little wider. Sad to say the only thing that my grandmother shared that happened during the war was how she was hiding in the drains with other people as the Japanese soldiers walk/ patrol above. The was a baby crying and everyone was so nervous and kept asking the baby's mother to keep the child quiet otherwise they would have been found by the soldiers. She has also shared that she heard some people lied they were from Mainland China instead of Malaysia so that they could get Singapore Citizenship.
This is so interesting! My grandmother is half japanese. Nothing have been know about my Great Grandmother as she is a full japanese. All i know is that my Grandmother was adopted into a malay family. It would be interesting to find out more if i have cousins in singapore or japan. But considering she's adopted it will be difficult 😩😩
Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been hard for you and your family to live your lives in Singapore being mistaken by others as the perpetrators of war.. I hope people now have a better understanding of you and your family’s circumstances and your identities as Japanese Singaporeans 🙆🏻♀️
Thank you very much for making this video. I am so grateful that we have local citizens of Japanese descent who are so so Singaporean.🤩 Singapore is truly a multi - racial society 😀
Wow, I heard a similar story from across the world where my friend's grandpa survived the concentration camp he was sent to because his baseball teammates were some of the soldiers stationed there. They told him where not to go and kept him alive
This was very interesting and shows how Japanese attitudes change depending on the country they live in. My grandpa in Japan used to keep hundreds of pictures in albums issued by the military and for many decades had reunions with his former comrades, and loved talking about the places he visited, the different climates, customs and the local landmarks he had seen during the war. Despite being a very kind and pacifist person he treasured the few good memories he had of that terrible era. My great grandparents were very upset when the local temple burned down and the family records were lost in the 1930s, as they were very proud of their ancestry. I admire Kawaguchi's Grandpa and great grandpa for their resilience, most Japanese I know who move to Singapore stay there for a few years and go back to Japan when their company no longer needs them in the City-State, despite being a very good place to live nowadays.
I cant believe i found this more interesting then my other videos that i usually watch on YT. Becoz this vid is in my watchlist for a few weeks. I got curious dig it out and watch it. This is the most interesting history story I have ever seen or watch. kinda cool man...... Make me kinda stuck inside to watch till the end.
龍二 (Ryu Ji, dragon second), so your great grandfather was the second son of the Hirayama Family. Because he was not the first son, he couldn’t succeed its family business or property if any. So he needed to find a life outside of the family. As other mentioned, Japan has Koseki system and you might be able to trace the Hirayama Family in Japan. Very interesting stories. i didnt know there were Japanese immigrants to Singapore before the WWII.
Japanese immigrants are very common in the West. Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines have many Japanese as well. However it's indeed less common to see Japanese people in Singapore and Malaysia.
I think you should do a DNA test to find out about your ancestry. I'm from Bhutan and thought of myself as a Bhutanese my whole life but turns out I'm 75% Chinese, 20% Mongolian and 2.5% central Asian Indian.
@@jackjackyphantom8854 : Because six nation, Eight nation happened then. Those nations have royal families. And the British diaspora intermarried with Indians too. So it became British. His ancestor looks like mixed race between Japanese and Indian... A lot of Japanese are actually Chinese.... Some families exited out of china.
Honestly I wish I could trace my family origins from India. I'm born and raised a Malaysian, and family history beyond my great grandparents is almost non existent
My great grandparents immigrated from South India to West Sumatra. Until now I can’t trace my family origins and all I know is my family name they carried
A few years ago and even last year, my children encountered teachers who tell them not to wear the kimono or the hanbok on Racial Harmony day. They can only wear them on International Friendship Day. I hope this video will educate us that there were Japanese, Jewish, maybe Koreans and other races who were born here even before independence and are 100 percent Singaporeans. And even if they migrated here, as long as they are citizens, we should recognize their culture as integral to the ever changing Singapore culture as well.
Penang has pretty much the same history like Singapore. In the late 1800’s, there was a community of Japanese migrants staying in the island. There is a street in George Town 日本横街 dedicated to them. A Japanese cemetery at Jln P. Ramlee that dates back to 1893. Unfortunately, never come across any Japanese descendant in the Island. Appreciate your sharing with us, very interesting and reminiscent of all our past. Without ‘them’, there is no ‘us’.
I enjoying this video about Mr Kawaguchi's journey of discovery about his grandfather. There are Singaporeans of numerous ethnicities, not just Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. They come from all corners of the world - from within ASEAN To the far reaches of Africa and South America. Each one of us, sons and daughters of our tiny red dot. CNA should have a series featuring Singaporeans with ethnic and cultural backgrounds that the average Singaporean, is less likely to 'know' of. E.g. Cuban-Singaporean, Tunisian-Sinaporeans, Paraguayan-Singaporean; if there are any such Singaporean citizens around. e know there are Jewish, European, American, Australian and Armenian Singaporeans. IIt's the ones with an unexpected' background thatt would be fascinating to learn about. Especially if they are second, third or fourth generation Singaporeans.
Really interesting story... I'm really glad though that Minoru found a great story about his Granduncle. Also I'm pretty sure the great grandfather's name is Ryuji. On a side note, my grandma used to tell me that there were quite a few Japanese people in her hometown of Ipoh and that they were on good terms... well until the war came that is. Shines a light on the people who were most affected, the common man. War sucks. Hope we never have another World War again...
I just discovered I am part Japanese, part Mongolian, and part Siberian recently from my DNA testing. I am from Taiwan originally and had always thought I am Han Chinese nothing more. Even my parents are pretty clueless about the fact. The only possible person that could have known is my grandfather, but he passed from old age a few years ago. My grandfather was pressed into the Imperial army during their occupation of Taiwan during WWII so anything could have happened in between.
According to my knowledge, Chinese (Han in particular) are pretty uniformed in terms of paternal lineage, anything else mostly came from their maternal lineage.
@@limitlesssky3050 We don't know. Maybe his Japanese blood present in the family lineage even before WW2? Who knows! Or maybe his Japanese blood came from his mother lineage? There were Japanese women in Taiwan too and in order to lay low after WW2, some of them choose to hide their Japanese identity and married to Chinese men.
Just curious, assuming his japanese side parent married a majority chinese singaporean, how did they decide to use japanese/english/chinese name? Was it by paternal side?
Kinda reminds me the past history of Davao City in The Philippines as well which till now still host the largest Japanese Filipino community in the country, Very good documentary!
Idk how it call , but in my country some people who have "special gift" from god can see the past (like idk they have their own time machine, lol). and yeah they know somethin that we can't see . And What if u got this special gift, would u like to go back to someone else past, or maybe u want to met your ancestor like VR (cool huh) or somethin like that? (sorry for my gramatical mistakes, im still learnin :).
I'm surprised you have no idea that sg has at least up to 5 generations of British since Raffles-Farquhar times. How do you wake up everyday not knowing that Benjamin Sheares our former president is one of such descendants?
I’d love to know more about the Japanese and Chinese side of my fam. All we know is that my grandma was adopted by a wealthy Malay couple (we know she was born in the early 1910’s). All we know was that she’s half Japanese and Chinese and was adopted when she was a baby and that’s it.
What more do other Singaporeans uncover from our past? Continue down Into The Vault 2: ua-cam.com/play/PLkMf14VQEvTYZazzJlhKr0BbOvIh17roh.html
As a Japanese, how his grandfather didn't share the family history reminds me of my grandfather, who also did not share much and even literally burned the family tree document with hundreds of history...for my grandfather, I assume it because of the mess happened during the war tho.
By the way, I would suggest him to go search for his family using the Koseki system in Japan. Though viewing the pre-war Koseki might be hard, seeing his great-grandfather was a successful merchant, I assume he can find some trace of his great-grandfather. Furthermore, seeing his great-grandfather's name, Ryuji, and the way he named his children, I guess he must have an older sibling with "一"(ichi or kazu if female...like Kazuko or Kazumi) in the name (that's how it normally goes back in the time) so chances are he can even find his cousins living in Japan or somewhere else in this world! :D
Your comments reminded me in my secondary school days, 1 of my classmate is also Japanese roots but born in Singapore. He mentioned something similar, his grandfather burn his old documents and photos. And claim himself as not related Japanese. But his father was curious to find out more about their Japanese roots n even name him Taka something. Sorry whole class only call him by taka so i also dont remember his exact full name. It's taka something but not takashimaya.
Hello there, thank you for sharing of your family and I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your heritage. You are right by saying going to look at the Koseki might help. Unfortunately, there is a very high chance of not finding the record as it is pre-war as you said. Our biggest issue is narrowing down where my great-grandfather came from. We believe he brought his family down from Kyushu. Which island is beyond what I know.
@@celestialstar124 I see...I hope your friend and his family find something related to their family history by now though :)!
@@ctfan Hello! Hmmm, I see...quick research but I found out the article the Japanese Foreign Ministry issued last March about how to search the record of overseas travel back in the pre-war era, due to the increasing volume of the inquiry from the Japanese migrants in the world in search of their family history, just like yours. If the reason you believe your family is from Kyusyu is that his ship departed from Nagasaki, I recommend you to take a look at this! You might be able to find the information about your great-grandparents and great-great-grandmother's passports there:) Ofc, even if you know nothing about the ship, you still can take a look at ALL the records there, one by one. Good news is, they are still working on the record and currently preparing to make it digital archive which you probably be able to search even you are in Singapore:)! I sincerely wish you good luck!! ( I am sorry if you already knew this, then please ignore 😅😅🙇🏻♀️)
www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100086823.pdf
@@shiho4427 oh wow! I actually didn't know about this. I'll have a look at it thank you :)
Thanks for watching! It was a great experience working on this show.
Dear Kawaguchi. As what I know, there are indeed good Japanese in Singapore helping the local here during the occupation. And these good Japanese people here also included the Japanese soldiers who were stationed here. I knew about a Japanese official who did help and concern about the welfare of the local here. There was another Japanese Shinozaki Mamoru who worked as a spy in Singapore before the Japanese soldiers came in. During the terrible Sook Ching event in Chinatown, Shinozaki issued many passes for the local Chinese, Eurasian and European so that they would be free from harassment from the Japanese soldiers.
I am a Christian (Catholic), knowing that most of the Japanese Catholic community started in Nagasaki during the early days in Japan, when you can find many old Japanese churches in Nagasaki now adays. I strongly believe that there were indeed many Japanese Catholic in Nagasaki during the war thought badly on the war but were forced to join the military... just like certain scene I saw in the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima".
And sadly is these Japanese Catholic sacrificed as part of the reason to end the World War Two after the second atomic bomb was dropped there in Nagasaki during 1945 (when it was intended to dropped elsewhere initially according to the Japanese plan).
You can find out more about the interesting history about Nagasaki and the Christian (Catholic) community there from history resources. Domo arigato. 平和...
Have a nice day.
My granduncle, Masaji was working for Mamoru Shinozaki , who became chief Welfare Officer of the Syonan municipal office during the occupation. As he spoke, English, Japanese and Malay, he became Mr Shinozaki's translator and assistant, helping him run errands to help the local populace behind the back of the Japanese government at that time. He was also very active in organising sport meets during the period. Unfortunately he died of tuberculosis before the war ended. He is mentioned in Mr. Shinozaki's autobiography: Syonan: My Story : the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.
@@ctfan Dear Kawaguchi... Thank you for the interesting information. Sorry about your granduncle who died of tuberculosis at a young age. He would be always remembered for the good deed that he had done for others. Feeling proud for you for having a granduncle who was one of those great Japanese during the occupation period.
I am already 48 this year, a born Singaporean too... Although I have no Japanese blood in me, but I am very fascinating about the common Japanese lifestyle since young in the early 80s. Japan, is being one of my favorite countries other than China. I will always pray for peace between these two natons.
@@ctfan
If there's anything history has taught us, is that, no matter where you're born at, there will always be those who are good and bad around us. I humbly believe Japan went through a very unfortunate time in their lives where they were being misguided by certain people of power/influence to want to unite the world by raising wars on other lands into thinking this particular transgression is morally acceptable. And especially in a time where social media hadn't exist yet, it's much easier to spread lies and propaganda to your people to attain those goals. With this absence of technology, people don't really know what is going on outside their lands much less in theirs. And when this happens, people can become easily influenced to believing the actions and sayings of their leaders as heroes. But as there are lies, there are truths as well. I'm sure there are those who believe what their leaders are doing, is wrong. Maybe it's because of fear or lack of voice, that they weren't able to stop those transgression from taking place. And I feel these people. To know that the world world will see your people in a bad light, due to the misguidance of some people, is a terrible feeling that no one would want to go through. But where there lies darkness, there is always a glimpse of hope and light to those who are still hopeful for a better future. And that time is our time today. People in the past might hate what Japan did to their families back then, but not the future generation. As much as anyone would hate to know about their ancestors being tortured, we despise revenge and hatred as well, regardless of the past. The only reason why we're able to overlook the past, is thanks to us being born as human beings who are able to have compassion and mercy towards others. Without all these gifts, humanity will never survive. So no matter what time we're living in, bad people will always exist to corrupt society but be glad to know that there's good people lying around within the corners waiting to fight back such evil as well. And that begins with us, the younger generation in ensuring that we don't allow our friends and families to become bad. Because if they do, and no one stops it, history will repeat itself, again. But I honestly believe, light will ALWAYS prevail over darkness as day rises over the night.
From a fellow Singaporean youth, I hope this message encourages others alike to think positively and not give up on hope. 💪
@@yellowbeez93 Yes I agree... well written.
And I also know of a group of high ranking German military officer were actually setting up campaign during the World War Two in stopping the aggression of their own force.
But of course, all these are not greatly highlighted by the world, as many are overwhelming by the negatives.
the director sure likes cats a lot.
The cat shots were so random 😂😂
More cats= cute= more ppl like
It looks like the cats know everything but could not tell
Best part
i believe cats are important part of japanese culture but it could very much be because the director likes cats too
Japanese living in Singapore may have hard time expressing their Japanese roots due to Japanese involvement in world war 2. That is probably why his ancestors were hesitating share the story but to start a new life in a new country with new history. I am surprised with Singapore diversity with several generations Japanese living there. It is very unique and preserving the family line. The 4th generation descendant started to research in a good timing to help to learn about family roots.
The Japanese should be respected. They helped Asia in WW2. All those lies coined by Chinese Communists and The West doesn’t work here.
@@stoggafllik I don't hate the current modern Japanese. But people like you denying the atrocities done here in Singapore is ridiculous
@@macrick Graze more of that grass, sheep
@@stoggafllik how did they help ?
@@applelah Political liberation.
As a 2nd generation Japanese-Singaporean,I find this documentary so fascinating. Thank you for sharing such wonderful story!
I wanna ask to u. Does Japanese there was called as Chinese??
It's funny how this popped up on my sister's youtube feed. It's worth mentioning that our surname's are Hirayama too - and we both grew up in Malaysia. Makes me realise how much I don't know about my Japanese family heritage. Definitely serves as a reminder for me to learn more as my father (who's of Japanese lineage) is still around - growing up, we've never really gotten to know him as he was quite secretive himself. Thanks for this video - definitely serves as a reminder to bridge that distance from our father; whilst we still have the opportunity to do it.
Oh you raised in Malaysia? Fellow Chinese Malaysian here
@@araisannanoda3688 Hi Arai, yes my sister and I were both raised in Malaysia. Our mother is Malaysian Chinese and father is Japanese - definitely glad to be living in this 21st century where it's common to come from a mixed background!
Could you be related?
Thank you CNA! You guys have been putting out awesome content lately !
Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it.
Not lately. They always put out awesome stuff
@@kingleoleoleoleoleol Agreed! :)
@@CNAInsider hello....
There r Chinese Singaporeans, Malay Singaporeans, Indian Singaporeans, Eurasian Singaporeans. Of course, there are Japanese Singaporeans who r also very much of Singapore identity. It must be very conflicting for the locally-borned Hirayama during the Japanese occupation. Great story!
And the thing is Singaporean thinks there's only chinese Singaporean, when you looked east asian and can't speak chinese, they ostracize you 😂
@@vanillasoftworks6876 pls many Chinese singaporeans can’t speak Chinese either.
Malaya Japanese
Most of the present Chinese Singaporean actually came to Singapore around that time period as well, up to perhaps 1930s~1940s? Those that came before 1910s are usually here to work as coolies.
@@AimlessSky you should say malaya since Singapore was part of Malaysia
Thank you for sharing this different side of history, I think it adds to the richness of what it means to be Singaporean. Also, kudos to the animators who did those wonderful sequences, especially the transition from cricket ball to Japanese flag. Great work!
Incredible how beautiful those old photos were taken.
Really shows how diverse Singaporeans are, lovely bits of history. 👍
Love it when his eyes light up when good things were mentioned about his ancestors. I grew up with 3 japanese families in the 80's when we were building our first MRT lines. The family we were closest to are still here. Their only daughter is married now with 3 kids. Stay on, keep well.
Great documentary. It reminds me of the Little Nyonya where some Japanese relocated to Singapore as their home 🏡 before World War. Love it.
Very interesting story, I hope more ppl tell us their stories like yours , how many local Japanese had helped the locals during the war , I hope more war victims had known your granduncle masagi too so that he could save them
Thank you for sharing your family's past. No matter what had happened, we needs to know our family's history. This 4th generation Japanese descendants should not stopped from knowing their family backgrounds.
Your grand uncle Masaji was a student in ACS, an athlete, and did what he could to protect his fellow schoolmates as well as made life easier during the was. There could be many people among us today who owe their existence to him. His death was a great loss.
I’m so envious :( My grandma was born in China but was subsequently “given” to a malay family during the war. When she passed away, her kids found her chinese passport/identity card(?). But just as it had suddenly appeared, it suddenly disappeared too. I wish I had some form of way to find out about my family heritage too 😭
His great grandfather is handsome. His 2 sons are very good looking.
Himself.... Not so lol
sounds like there's gonna be a "but" in this sentence lol
I can guess where you're going with this😜
Nothing to do with him. Its a fact his great grandfather n his 2 son are really good looking.
I am NOT judging the guy man on his looks nor want to comment about him. I am only attracted by his great grandfather.
bcuz hot weather
effects make himself
an islander style
I am fourth generation Japanese-American. The difference between us is not only location and age (I am almost 70). Until the 1960s, ethnic Japanese were the majority in Hawaii and Japan never invaded or conquered Hawaii. My father and uncles served in the United States Army during the Second World War as so many other Japanese-Americans did. Consequently, we don't suffer the stigma you do. My family maintains relations with relatives in Japan but we are unquestionably American as you are Singaporean.
Because Japan kept their documentation as well as heritage and lineage too. Similar when most British common wealth countries documented births and deaths. Many still don't today.
He live throughout his childhood life until now. Really, if come talk to me, i would consider him just a normal Chinese Singaporean guy.. He has pure Singapore style of accents when he speaks but trully he is a Japanese. For me that is awesome!
The english language spoken is so pure Singaporean.
Cos he’s pure Singaporean ;)
Hahahaha
Ya lah he is Singaporean and I bet he and his cousin can’t speak Japanese well. It is just that they got the Japanese blood inherited from their passed down ancestors.
@@roycetan2186 Just as many Singaporean Chinese can’t speak Mandarin well, I suppose :)
🤣🤣🤣 Confirmed local lah. We're proud of our accent. 😁😁
Very interesting. At first I don't wish to finish watching this documentary but it get me stuck till the end.
My full admiration for his persistence to trace his roots, makes me tear up coz I can't trace mine, makes me wanna cry, really.
The following is merely background for the main point. The ancient Japanese imperial chronicle, Nihongi, along with history and legends, extends my ancestry back to 23 B.C. My paternal line was noble and my family provided three empress-consorts over the course of a millennium. However, in the final analysis, this is nothing but good cocktail party conversation, assuming people are interested (most aren't). Being the best, most honest and honorable person you can be and giving your descendants an example is better than having a lineage like mine.
Love this content, need more of it as to how Japanese Singaporean no matter which generation they are in to share their roots
A beautiful story indeed, so rich in memories of the Japanese who lived here prior to WW2. I had vaguely known of the Japanese people who settled here prior to the war and this video gave me a greater perspective of how the early Japanese live here then . It surely adds a deeper understanding of the of many races and cultures that Singapore made up of. I am enriched for watching this video and thank Mr Minoru and his cousin for sharing their Singaporean heritage with us .
would love to see more content like this. great one CNA ! ❤
Very interesting episode. CNA Insider never fail to amaze me with their content!
These programs are very important for us as a nation. Thank you for the great work.
This is very insightful. It opened my mind a little wider.
Sad to say the only thing that my grandmother shared that happened during the war was how she was hiding in the drains with other people as the Japanese soldiers walk/ patrol above. The was a baby crying and everyone was so nervous and kept asking the baby's mother to keep the child quiet otherwise they would have been found by the soldiers.
She has also shared that she heard some people lied they were from Mainland China instead of Malaysia so that they could get Singapore Citizenship.
This is so interesting! My grandmother is half japanese. Nothing have been know about my Great Grandmother as she is a full japanese. All i know is that my Grandmother was adopted into a malay family. It would be interesting to find out more if i have cousins in singapore or japan. But considering she's adopted it will be difficult 😩😩
Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been hard for you and your family to live your lives in Singapore being mistaken by others as the perpetrators of war.. I hope people now have a better understanding of you and your family’s circumstances and your identities as Japanese Singaporeans 🙆🏻♀️
Finally some good content thank you CNA
Thank you so much for bringing this video.
This is a great documentary, I love learning more about history, keep up the great work 😊
Thank you very much for making this video. I am so grateful that we have local citizens of Japanese descent who are so so Singaporean.🤩 Singapore is truly a multi - racial society 😀
Wow, I heard a similar story from across the world where my friend's grandpa survived the concentration camp he was sent to because his baseball teammates were some of the soldiers stationed there. They told him where not to go and kept him alive
This was very interesting and shows how Japanese attitudes change depending on the country they live in. My grandpa in Japan used to keep hundreds of pictures in albums issued by the military and for many decades had reunions with his former comrades, and loved talking about the places he visited, the different climates, customs and the local landmarks he had seen during the war. Despite being a very kind and pacifist person he treasured the few good memories he had of that terrible era.
My great grandparents were very upset when the local temple burned down and the family records were lost in the 1930s, as they were very proud of their ancestry.
I admire Kawaguchi's Grandpa and great grandpa for their resilience, most Japanese I know who move to Singapore stay there for a few years and go back to Japan when their company no longer needs them in the City-State, despite being a very good place to live nowadays.
Thank you for sharing the story of your family. You put in a lot of effort in tracing your roots... not an easy task.
Very interesting story. Love this episode!
Some of those japanese who set up business in SG before the war were doing espionage work for the army.
I cant believe i found this more interesting then my other videos that i usually watch on YT. Becoz this vid is in my watchlist for a few weeks. I got curious dig it out and watch it. This is the most interesting history story I have ever seen or watch. kinda cool man...... Make me kinda stuck inside to watch till the end.
At 5:08 she is like “Give me a break lah now we need to fight this Covid you know.”
龍二 (Ryu Ji, dragon second), so your great grandfather was the second son of the Hirayama Family. Because he was not the first son, he couldn’t succeed its family business or property if any. So he needed to find a life outside of the family. As other mentioned, Japan has Koseki system and you might be able to trace the Hirayama Family in Japan.
Very interesting stories. i didnt know there were Japanese immigrants to Singapore before the WWII.
Wow that suitcase and the contents are priceless... should restore and preserve better
Probably worth more than 100k lol
I just want to say that his grandfather and granduncle looks 😍😍
Haiyo y u simp for a man who ded already one? :)
@@fanta6285 lmfaooo
A very interesting documentary. I never thought that a 4th generation Japanese do exist in Singapore. You are a very rare example of human migration .
Japanese immigrants are very common in the West. Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines have many Japanese as well. However it's indeed less common to see Japanese people in Singapore and Malaysia.
All the Best and hopefully he will find more info about his family background and even family in Japan
I think you should do a DNA test to find out about your ancestry. I'm from Bhutan and thought of myself as a Bhutanese my whole life but turns out I'm 75% Chinese, 20% Mongolian and 2.5% central Asian Indian.
They don't really look Japanese to me. Well, just saying.
Yes ur pfp looks somewhat chinese to me
@@jackjackyphantom8854 i think they are half japanese
@@jackjackyphantom8854 : Because six nation, Eight nation happened then. Those nations have royal families. And the British diaspora intermarried with Indians too. So it became British. His ancestor looks like mixed race between Japanese and Indian... A lot of Japanese are actually Chinese.... Some families exited out of china.
@@MeiinUK History is complicated.
Honestly I wish I could trace my family origins from India. I'm born and raised a Malaysian, and family history beyond my great grandparents is almost non existent
My great grandparents immigrated from South India to West Sumatra. Until now I can’t trace my family origins and all I know is my family name they carried
@@calista5811 well you definitely look a little Indian and sing well haha. I wish u luck in finding them
So good of you to share. Not all Japanese are bad. They are just human.
A few years ago and even last year, my children encountered teachers who tell them not to wear the kimono or the hanbok on Racial Harmony day. They can only wear them on International Friendship Day.
I hope this video will educate us that there were Japanese, Jewish, maybe Koreans and other races who were born here even before independence and are 100 percent Singaporeans. And even if they migrated here, as long as they are citizens, we should recognize their culture as integral to the ever changing Singapore culture as well.
Singapore version of Schindler’s List. Could be a movie.
Thanks..wat a wonderful documentary..Pls also share abt the Japanese Garden and Happy Garden history in Singapore..motto..motto..motto
Beautiful story told in such a good manner. Wonder why the parents didn't appear and give more insight
Interesting vid! Hope there will be more of such vids showcasing other SG- (foreign) race as well !
E g. Arab SGrean, Korean Sgrean etc
More of such content please!
good documentary.
Same as Jp American. Many were racially judged and punished in US during the war.
CNA never disappoints
Penang has pretty much the same history like Singapore. In the late 1800’s, there was a community of Japanese migrants staying in the island. There is a street in George Town 日本横街 dedicated to them. A Japanese cemetery at Jln P. Ramlee that dates back to 1893. Unfortunately, never come across any Japanese descendant in the Island. Appreciate your sharing with us, very interesting and reminiscent of all our past. Without ‘them’, there is no ‘us’.
Your great grand mother looked like a movie star in that picture.
I enjoying this video about Mr Kawaguchi's journey of discovery about his grandfather. There are Singaporeans of numerous ethnicities, not just Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. They come from all corners of the world - from within ASEAN To the far reaches of Africa and South America. Each one of us, sons and daughters of our tiny red dot. CNA should have a series featuring Singaporeans with ethnic and cultural backgrounds that the average Singaporean, is less likely to 'know' of. E.g. Cuban-Singaporean, Tunisian-Sinaporeans, Paraguayan-Singaporean; if there are any such Singaporean citizens around. e know there are Jewish, European, American, Australian and Armenian Singaporeans. IIt's the ones with an unexpected' background thatt would be fascinating to learn about. Especially if they are second, third or fourth generation Singaporeans.
They spoke Singlish like any other Singaporean. Singaporean actor Gurmit Singh also has a Japanese grandfather.
I'd love more content like this ☺️
so wonderful.
Really interesting story... I'm really glad though that Minoru found a great story about his Granduncle. Also I'm pretty sure the great grandfather's name is Ryuji.
On a side note, my grandma used to tell me that there were quite a few Japanese people in her hometown of Ipoh and that they were on good terms... well until the war came that is.
Shines a light on the people who were most affected, the common man. War sucks. Hope we never have another World War again...
I just discovered I am part Japanese, part Mongolian, and part Siberian recently from my DNA testing. I am from Taiwan originally and had always thought I am Han Chinese nothing more. Even my parents are pretty clueless about the fact. The only possible person that could have known is my grandfather, but he passed from old age a few years ago. My grandfather was pressed into the Imperial army during their occupation of Taiwan during WWII so anything could have happened in between.
Forced conscription by the Japanese Imperial army.
@@limitlesssky3050 prob
What's the percentage of ur Japanese, Mongolian and Siberian DNA respectively?
According to my knowledge, Chinese (Han in particular) are pretty uniformed in terms of paternal lineage, anything else mostly came from their maternal lineage.
@@limitlesssky3050 We don't know. Maybe his Japanese blood present in the family lineage even before WW2? Who knows! Or maybe his Japanese blood came from his mother lineage? There were Japanese women in Taiwan too and in order to lay low after WW2, some of them choose to hide their Japanese identity and married to Chinese men.
this is very insightful!
Very interesting.
Both great choice; stay in Japan or move to Singapore.
Would be an interesting story to know to be able to trace your roots back to your present day cousins in Japan.
Just curious, assuming his japanese side parent married a majority chinese singaporean, how did they decide to use japanese/english/chinese name? Was it by paternal side?
You follow the father's surname for Eastern cultures.
This documentary is about his Maternal grandfather- Hiroyama. His surname is Kawaguchi, not Hiroyama, so that means his mother married a Japanese
Fantastic
Was wondering why Minoru' last name is Kawaguchi instead of Hirayama? Did his mother marry a japanese as well? Thank you!
Yes he mentioned above in the comment section!
interesting that he share the history , must have been tough growing up as a japanese in sg
Kinda reminds me the past history of Davao City in The Philippines as well which till now still host the largest Japanese Filipino community in the country, Very good documentary!
This is so interesting
Where can I see the newspaper archives
His surname is Kawaguchi, means his Dad is also a Japanese ?
Yes.
Yes. Can tell by name. Really japanese.
wished i knew about my family history too
im currently trying to research haha, didn't know my parents kept so many photo albums :0
I thought you my spend more time to go back to Japan to find more about the background. That will be more interesting
20:04 Lol he said all the name but forgot his great-grandfather name 🤣🤣🤣
Interesting story
Guess not all Japanese really worship Hirohito.⛩
How i wish, if it's possible to access memories casted inside a pensieve just like in Harry Potter. Then I don't have to trace bk my lineage
Ikr my family don’t keep any ancestry records too
Idk how it call , but in my country some people who have "special gift" from god can see the past (like idk they have their own time machine, lol). and yeah they know somethin that we can't see . And What if u got this special gift, would u like to go back to someone else past, or maybe u want to met your ancestor like VR (cool huh) or somethin like that? (sorry for my gramatical mistakes, im still learnin :).
@@ok2713 I would love to be able to read people's minds and see past their memories and revisit them.
Interesting, maybe you should pursue and trace your roots back in Japan as well.
Honestly there’s some in Singapore who are like him. Maybe a 3rd British generation? Might not know🤣
Yes Joseph Schooling's Gandfather and father are the pioneer batches British Singaporeans.
I'm surprised you have no idea that sg has at least up to 5 generations of British since Raffles-Farquhar times. How do you wake up everyday not knowing that Benjamin Sheares our former president is one of such descendants?
The kitties stole the show
Lovely story
I’d love to know more about the Japanese and Chinese side of my fam. All we know is that my grandma was adopted by a wealthy Malay couple (we know she was born in the early 1910’s).
All we know was that she’s half Japanese and Chinese and was adopted when she was a baby and that’s it.
Jun san is super cute!
Wish he was more proud to be Singaporean rather than saying im a Japanese living in n sg as if this isn't ur home
If our uni grads were as articulate as him, I would be so glad.
The cat though😍😍
reupload?
the grandfather & grand uncle look so dead inside in the photo
You are a Singaporean for sure
I was where was the little japan at KL and Penang? 🤔
Minoru looks like the lady in the picture @ 3:11 I'm guessing that she's either his mother or grandmother