Film: My Japanese Great Grandfather Survived Australia’s WW2 Internment Camps

Setsutaro Hasegawa left Japan in 1897 to start a new life in Australia. He worked hard, raised a family, built businesses—and never returned home. In 1941, after living peacefully in Australia for over 40 years, he was arrested as an “enemy alien” and sent to an internment camp. In this video, his grandson reflects on Setsutaro’s remarkable journey: from proud Japanese immigrant to a man caught between two countries during wartime. A story of quiet resilience, identity, and belonging.

Grandpa Hasegawa was not a gregarious community character, he was happy tending to his Japanese garden, breeding goldfish and birds. He was the patriarch of the house and meals did not begin until he was seated. After dinner he retired to his room and studied, read and kept diaries.
Andrew Hasegawa, great grandson, 2021