Download Audio After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Juneau’s Japanese population was forced from their homes and sent to internment camps in the Lower 48. Teenager John Tanaka was among those shipped out. He was the valedictorian of Juneau High School in 1942, but didn’t get to graduate with everyone else. An empty wooden chair was put on stage in his place. Now, a bronze replica of that chair will remain at the Capitol School Park permanently. The sculpture was dedicated at a memorial to the interned on Saturday.
Jeremy Hsieh is the training editor of the Alaska Desk.
Reach Jeremy at jhsieh@alaskapublic.org or 907-550-8428.
Reach Jeremy at jhsieh@alaskapublic.org or 907-550-8428.