Shigeki Oka

Shigeki Oka (岡 繁樹, Oka Shigeki, 1878–1959[1]) was an issei socialist, printer, and newspaper publisher.[2]

Shigeki Oka
岡 繁樹
Born1878 (1878)
Kōchi Prefecture
Died1959 (aged 80–81)
OccupationJournalist
MovementSocialist

Biography

Oka was born in Kōchi Prefecture, the former feudal domain of Tosa. He was employed at the Yorozu choho (Complete Morning Report), where he became friends with anarchist Kotoku Shusui, Sakai Toshihiko, and Kinoshita Naoe.

In 1902, Oka Shigeki immigrated to America,[3] where he became head of the San Francisco branch of the Heimin-sha (Society of Commoners). He helped Kotoku Shusui make contact with American socialists, and anarchists during his stay in America.[4] Before Kotoku returned to Japan, Oka gave advice to Kotoku on how to start a revolution in Japan.[5]

During World War II, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, Oka was interned at Heart Mountain Internment Camp.[2]

In 1943, he was recruited by the British Armed Forces to print propaganda materials, such as the Gunjin Shimbun [Soldier News], in Kolkata, India.[6]

Naoki Oka is Shigeki Oka's brother.

See also

References
  1. "Oka Shigeki". Nihon jinmei daijiten+Plus (in Japanese). Kōdansha. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. Before Internment: Essays in Prewar Japanese American History By Yuji Ichioka Page 300
  3. Japan and the High Treason Incident edited by Masako Gavin, Ben Middleton Page 20-21
  4. The Japanese Conspiracy: The Oahu Sugar Strike of 1920 Page 23
  5. Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912 By Donald Keene Page 689
  6. Nisei linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service During World War II By James C. McNaughton page 289
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