Nitto Tire, All Nippon Airways Partner to Educate International Air Travelers on History of Governor Ralph Carr's Heroic Fight to Protect Japanese Americans Constitutional Rights, Prevent WWII Internment

CYPRESS, Calif., Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of its efforts to generate awareness about historic and social challenges faced by Japanese Americans, Nitto Tire is sponsoring The Untold Story of Ralph Carr and the Japanese: Fate of 3 Japanese Americans and the Internment produced by Fujisankei Communications International, Inc. (FCI). The documentary reveals how Colorado Governor Ralph Carr defended the Constitutional rights of Japanese Americans and opposed their internment in government camps during World War II.  Beginning September 1, the film will be shown on the majority of All Nippon Airlines (ANA) international flights.

The documentary marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese American internment and focuses on two important messages:  never forget and never again. Working closely with ANA's Los Angeles branch General Manager - Hirotaka Hattori, Nitto Tire's Corporate Social Responsibility program brings awareness to the social injustice Japanese Americans have experienced in a mission to prevent history repeating itself.

Following three Japanese Americans, the documentary provides perspective from each individual experience during the 1940s. In one of the stories shared, Robert Fuchigami tells of his family being uprooted and forced to live in Colorado's government-run camp Amache. He speaks of the deterioration of his family's unity and the sadness endured in hopes that others will never forget ensuring these social injustices will never be repeated.

The feature also includes two less common narratives which are in part attributed to the heroic actions of Colorado Governor, Ralph Carr. A passionate defender of Japanese American rights, Carr publicly opposed the internment, believing that denying any group its Constitutional rights would put the rights of all Americans in jeopardy. He granted Japanese Americans a safe haven in Colorado at a time when other states refused their entrance. Herbert Inouye recounts his family anxiously leaving their California home and making the move to Colorado. He remembers angry citizens on the streets yelling slurs at their car and soldiers with guns as they traveled east. Yet, after a harrowing journey, a state trooper at the Colorado state line warmly welcomed his family. Similarly, Colorado native, Mitchie Terasaki, avoided the government evictions and internment faced by many Japanese Americans. She instead led a successful life as a civil servant in the Colorado state government after being hired by Carr. The governor held firmly to his belief in equality and justice for all throughout his political career. Though his beliefs would ultimately cost him election to the Senate, he firmly stood by his moral code.

"As a company with both American and Japanese roots, we felt we were uniquely positioned to make people aware of Ralph Carr's story and how his life impacted so many Japanese Americans," said Tomo Mizutani, president, Nitto Tire USA.  "We are dedicated to telling this important cultural story and aim to prevent injustices like this from occurring in the future."

Nitto Tire has factories and offices in both the United States and Japan. The company provides annual support to companies like FCI and the Japanese American National Museum in East Los Angeles which are dedicated to bring awareness to Japanese American history and culture.

About ANA Group

All Nippon Airways (www.fly-ana.com) is the ninth largest airline in the world by revenues and the largest in Japan by passenger numbers. Founded in 1952, it flies today to 76 domestic and international cities in a fleet of 228 aircraft serving a network of 164 routes. ANA has 33,000 employees and operates more than 1,000 flights a day. In 2010, it carried 43 million passengers and generated revenues of $16 billion. ANA has been a core member of Star Alliance since 1999 and more than 20 million members belong to its frequent flyer program, ANA Mileage Club. ANA is the launch customer for the world's newest and most advanced passenger aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

About Nitto Tire

Nitto Tire (www.nittotire.com) develops performance tires for all uses, including racing, off-road and street. Using state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities in both Japan and the United States, Nitto provides innovative and high-quality performance tires for the most demanding automotive enthusiasts. For more information about Nitto or its products, visit the company's web site or contact the company directly.  Nitto is a registered trademark of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., located at 5665 Plaza Drive, Ste. 250, Cypress, CA 90630.

Contact:
Kourtney Schepman
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SOURCE Nitto Tire