Etsuji Morii

Introduction

After the attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941, the Canadian Government detained Japanese-Canadian citizens, claiming they were enemy aliens and forced them to relocate to internment camps in the interior of British Columbia. Japanese-Canadians were interned for the rest of the second world war during which their homes and businesses were sold by the government in order to pay for their detention. Etsuji Morii was a man who was very influential to the internment process. Morii was the chairman of the Japanese liaison committee which co-operated with the B.C security commission in arranging migration (Sunahara). Morii however, conducted some dishonorable movements and his actions led to fear amongst the Japanese-Canadian population. He was linked to the Black Dragon Society in Japan and had many business ventures across British Columbia including clubs, gambling and more. It is important to remember Etsuji Morii as he impacted many lives especially to the Japanese-Canadians. Morii was a key figure at the time however there is very little public knowledge on him. A book by Terry Watada, an essay called the Politics of Racism by Ann Gomer Sunahara, and a book titled The Redress by Roy Miki, are all sources of information on Morii; however, they were not easily accessible. Using archives from the Rare Books and Special Collections at The University of British Columbia we are able to deep further into the life of Etsuji Morii by looking at the Japanese-Canadian Research Collection archives.

Personal History

Etsuji Morii was born in 1883 in Hiroshima Japan, where he lived until his late teenaged years earning his black belt in judo (Watada 66). During this time, he actively participated in socialist movements until in 1900, he was caught by the Japanese police at one of the socialist protests he attended, to avoid jail he accepted being sent to the United States of America (Watada 63). Once he arrived in San Francisco he became associated with the Black Dragon Society which “controlled the criminal activity in Little Tokyo” through Rikimatsu Kintaro. Morii with the help of Rikimatu Kintaro, who was the “muscle” for the notorious black dragon society, began an initiative to take back the Japanese gambling business that the gang was losing to the Chinatown gambling dens (Watada 63). This initiative impressed the gang and caused them to promote the two young gangsters by sending them to British Columbia where they would take over operations. Upon arriving in Vancouver BC in the spring of 1906 Morii was named the Oyabun (leader) of the Vancouver Black Dragon Society (Watada 64). Morii proved his ability to lead the community when he planned a successful riot against the Asiatic Exclusion League protest in August 1907 (Watada 65). Prior to WWII Morii was an important business man in Vancouver’s Japanese community, owning many clubs and gambling halls. Additionally, he was an active member of the Buddhist community and gave often to charity (Watada 67). Contrary to his few generous actions, Morii was also known to be extremely violent. For example, Morii killed a boy in broad daylight who attempted to get his father’s debt paid off (Watada 72). However, he did not suffer the consequences of his actions or conviction of manslaughter since the main witness disappeared before the trial. Furthermore, he was also known to bestow favors in exchange for obligations to him. In 1910, Morii returned from a vacation to Japan with a wife named Morii-no okusan (Watada 68). During WWII Morii was a liaison between the RCMP and the Japanese community throughout the process of internment. For his efforts, Morii received an ideal situation for himself in the evacuation, a cabin with running water electricity and indoor plumbing in a camp near Lilloette (Watada 74). After the restrictions of Japanese on the west coast was lifted Morii returned to Vancouver where he stayed until 1960 when his wife died and he took her ashes to Japan (Watada 74). He stayed in Japan until his death around 1970 (Watada 74).

Black Dragon Society

Exerting considerable amounts of political influence on the Japanese government, the Kokuryūkai, translated as the Black Dragon Society, “identified as the center of an expansionist conspiracy to steer Japan towards war with the Western powers” (Saaler 125). Founded in 1901 by Uchida Ryōhei, who died a few years before entering war with the United States, this political association evoked mass hysteria regarding their political influence especially “during the later years of World War II” (Saaler 126). Initially started by fifty-nine men, within ten years this number would grow quickly into a thousand, and continue to grow as the group recruited members from all over Japan. With in the Kokuryūkai, there also consisted of a group called the “continental adventurers - men who in their youth had traveled to Korea and China to assist revolutionary movements in those countries or to spy for the Japanese military” (Saaler 131). In the case of Etsuji Morii, the Black Dragon Society played an extremely influential role in his actions when he immigrated to Canada.

Business Ventures

Before Morii was appointed as the head of the Liaison commission he had an important role in the Japanese Canadian business sector of Vancouver. Upon arriving in Vancouver in 1926 he established the Showa Club, a private gambling hall, on Powell Street with his business partner Rikimatsu (Watada 65). After opening the Showa Club, he opened another club called Raku Raku which later was renamed the Nippon Club (Watada 68). Around this time Morii began to bring many girls over from Japan, with sponsorships from wealthy businessmen, and the Nippon became the site for his prostitution business (Watada 68). Whenever the Paid off RCMP from inquiring about the clubs through boxes of chocolates filled with money (Watada 69). By 1928 Morii established the Nihon Jinkai, the Japanese Businessmen’s Association, which represented more than 20 percent of Japanese business; helping Morii assert his prestige within the community (Watada 70).

Influence on Internment

Etsuji Morii had a great influence on the early stages of Japanese Internment due to his role in the Japanese Liaison Committee. Morii’s prominence in the Japanese-Canadian community lead him to be appointed as “the chairman to the Japanese Liaison Committee” by the RCMP (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide). Created by the federal government in 1942, this committee was to “act as a liaison between the BC security Commission and the Japanese communities in BC” during the process of the evacuation of Japanese to Internment camps (Watada 73). The BC security Commission was in charge of “protecting the safety of Canadian citizens” which in 1942 including removing Japanese “enemy aliens” away from the Pacific coast. Both Nisei, second generation Japanese-Canadians, and Issei, first generation Japanese-Canadians were deemed “enemy aliens” by 1942 by the BC Security Commission (Sunahara). Morii’s role in as chairman of the liaison committee was to inform the BC Security Council of Japanese to deport while “co-operating with authorities” (Police Deny Morii Charge). This was a role that Morii and his men excelled at; however, to do keep their promise to round up as many national Japanese as possible they “often using brutality to gain cooperation”, including blackmail and violence (Watada 73). This claim that Morii used aggressive means to get results can be cooperated with the information found in the Japanese Canadian Research Collection archive. As presented in the following newspaper article clippings, Morii was subjected to numerous accusations of “fifth column” activity and corruption, all of which further indicate that Morii’s role in the internment of Japanese-Canadians was one that was feared by the community. Furthermore, public enquiries took place regarding “charges of alleged irregularities in evacuation of 21000 Japanese from B.C. protected areas”, many of which accused Morii of being “linked with the Black Dragon Society in Japan”, making him “feared by most members of the Japanese community” due to this involvement, and his “leadership of a jiu-jitsu gang” which took upon violent measures to intimidate and threaten the community (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide). The amount of power that Morii had frustrated many Japanese-Candadians leading to Shomaya and Shimizu, two prominent nesei, forming an anti-Morii group (Sunahara). They argued that more Nisei should be more involved in the liaison (Sunahara). The two men wrote an open letter saying that Morii did not represent the community well and asked for a new representative. In April 1942, Morii was downgraded in his rank (Sunahara).

Testimony #1: “Morii Wicked, Dangerous Man, City School Teacher Testifies”

“A report that some Vancouver Japanese after Japan’s entry into the war ‘expressed fear of ‘fifth column’ activity which would produce disaster for the whole community’ was made today to the commission enquiring into charges in connection with evacuation of Japanese from B.C. protected areas.” (Morii Wicked, Dangerous Man, City School Teacher Testifies)

The following enquiry accuses Etsuji Morii of engaging in “fifth column” activity, the act of sympathizing or working for the opposing group, in this case Japanese nationalists. In a report submitted to the commission, multiple “Vancouver Japanese after Japan’s entry into the war ‘expressed fear of ‘fifth column’’ activity which would produce disaster for the whole community” (Morii Wicked, Dangerous Man, City School Teacher Testifies). Testified by Dr.Norman Black, a retired Kitsolano high school teacher, additional information is provided to further identify Morii as a figure feared by the Japanese community. Black claims that “the Japanese with whom he was in contact ‘said it was a common procedure of Morii to collect money for some philanthropy and then give no accounting’” (Morii Wicked, Dangerous Man, City School Teacher Testifies)

Testimony #2: “Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed”

“Reference to ‘blackmail was made today by a Japanese witness in the public enquiry charges of alleged irregularities in the evacuation from B.C. protected areas.” (Witness in Japanese probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed)

S.Yasuura, a spokesman for the Naturalized Canadian-Japanese Society, made another claim of blackmail again Morii. The society itself questioned Morii’s intentions, and “On March 29 the society passed resolutions protesting that Etsuji Morii’s liaison committee, working with the Security Commission, was not representative of the Japanese Community” (Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed). Between May 11 and May 18, Yasuura met with Major Austin Taylor, chairman of the B.C. Security Commision on the “basis [of a] notice from the R.C.M.P ordering him to report for evacuation on May 11, after he had been granted an extension of permit to May 31” (Witness in Japanese probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed). Yasuura “asked Mayor Taylor why he was being ‘sent out’ immediately after a deferment had been granted.” (Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed), questioning even the Security Commission itself. Although “Morii was not an official of the B.C. Security Commission, [he] headed a Japanese liaison committee co-operating with authorities” (Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed). Judging from both the deferment and the notice to evacuate, Yasuura suspected that something suspicious was taking place prompting him to “[tell] Mayor Taylor he was under the impression he was being blackmailed. [When] pressed by Mr.Locke for an explanation of whom he suspected of blackmailing him, Yasuura said, ‘I figured it must be the Morii group’” (Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed). This was founded on a common belief by the community that due to Etsuji Morii’s “character, past record and principles make it impossible for us to accept Morii as the leader of [their] community and as the guardian of [their]families during the period of separation” (Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed)

Testimony #3: “Police Deny Morii Charge”

“A statement published in the News-Herald that the Japanese Government was seeking to repatriate Etsuji Morii and five other Vancouver Japanese - believed to be friendly to Japan was challenged before the “Black Dragon” federal commission today.” (Police Deny Morii Charge)

This repatriation by the Japanese Government highlights the power of Morii, showcasing that he withheld a similar level of power in Japan as well as British Columbia. Furthermore, Mujii was also “known to ‘brag’ that he was expected to be recalled to Japan for repatriation”(Police Deny Morii Charge). This article also depicts a case of money bribery and transfer that Morii was accused on various occasion of taking part in. The case involved “Hoshino, a Japanese national, who was not evacuated from the coast until October 13, [who] testified that he paid $300 to Morii indirectly last February” (Police Deny Morii Charge). Hoshino “insisted that the money was intended for the relief of families of Japanese working in road camps” and had nothing to do with a deferment issued to him extending his evacuation.

Testimony #4: “RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide”

“Difficulties face by the B.C. Security Commission in arranging gremoval of Japanese from protested areas on the west coast were explained at a public enquiry today by Col. F. J. Mead, a member of the security board and an R.C.M.P. assistant commissioner” (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide)

Col. Mead testified that due to “opposition of some of the Japanese to evacuation forced R.C.M.P to intern ‘hundreds of them’ and the ‘Morii group was the major Japanese instrument assisting the commission in arranging the evacuation’” (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide). This involvement by Morii, however, extended beyond simply aiding in the evacuation, but also in having personal profit, as evidently exemplified by “claims that Morii used his connection with the B.C. Security Commission to operate a ‘racket’ at the expense of certain Japanese evacuees” (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide). Yet these claims reported by the News-Herald remain uninvestigated by the R.C.M.P., although the police force “should have seen witnesses to build up facts as they exsisted, or repudiate the whole thing…[they did not] ask the News-Herald for a single witness or source of information” (RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide).

Testimony #5: “Morii Gang Says Students Fear-Stricken”

One teacher teaching in Vancouver had a group of former Japanese students approach her because they “very much worried, not about what any white person would do, but because a group of Japanese men not friendly to Britain or Canada had won the confidence of those in authority. This group has been powerful for a long time and was felt to be very dangerous’” (Morii Gang Says Students Fear-Stricken). The group that was causing these youths so much fear was the Morii group. The students continued to confide in their teacher saying that “he firmly believed that money had been given by Japanese families to Morii and his henchmen so their families would not be broken up or evacuated soon” (Morii Gang Says Students Fear-Stricken). This article was posted in the Vancouver Sun shows just how much fear Morii imposed on the Japanese community and how much influence he had on the process of internment.

Testimony #6: “Strongest Disgust”

Further evidence on Morii’s willingness to accept bribes can be seen in another newspaper article from 1942, which reports “the wife said she had placed $20 in a box of chocolates and delivered it to ‘Morii’s house…she attributed her husband’s release to the box of chocolates’” (Morii Gang Says Students Fear-Stricken). Bribery was an instance of easy transactions for Morii; however, when people did not cooperate Morii had a “group of jui jitsu experts who were prepared to smash anyone who didn’t cooperate" (Vancouver Sun Archive). Through all of the allegations of corruption that Morii received he was never charged by the police.

Works Cited

Morii Gang Says Students Fear-Stricken. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.

Morii Wicked, Dangerous Man, City School Teacher Testifies. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.

Police Deny Morii Charge. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.

RCMP Head Tells Why Morii Used As Jap Evacuation Aide. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.

Saaler, Sven. The Kokoyūkai (Black Dragon Society) and the Ride of Nationalism, Pan-Asianism, and Militarism in Japan, 1901-1925 International Journal of Asian Studies, vol. 11, no. 2, 2014, pp. 125–160. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S147959141400014X

Strongest Disgust. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.

Sunahara, Ann. "4: Expulsion." The Politics of Racism: Chapter 3: Expulsion. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

Watada, Terry, (2014). The Oyabun and the Yojimbo: Morii Etsuji, Rikimatsu Kintaro and the Black Dragon Society. Belshaw, John, Vancouver Confidential (59-77). Vancouver, Canada: Anvil Press.

Witness in Japanese Probe Says Evacuees Blackmailed. Newspaper exert. October 30 1942. Box 11, File 11. Japanese Canadian Research Collection. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver Canada.