MIYAZAKI ROSE ABOVE PREJUDICE
Interned as a doctor, he dedicated himself to patients and the public
To mark Canada’s 150th birthday, we are counting down to Canada Day with profiles of 150 noteworthy British Columbians.
At a historic moment when stereotypes about foreigners and strangers are resurgent, here’s the story of an immigrant who overcame racism and prejudice, unselfi shly served his community, and ultimately became one of its most beloved members.
Masajiro Miyazaki was born in Hikone in central Japan on Nov. 24, 1899. His father emigrated to British Columbia. His mother remained in Japan. In 1913, she put him aboard the Empress of India and the 14- year- old sailed for Vancouver. He was met by his father who paid his room and board in advance for six months. He worked to support himself as a gardener and dishwasher.
He learned English, enrolled at Lord Strathcona Elementary and topped his class, then went to Duke of Connaught High School. During the First World War, Japan was an ally — a Japanese battleship had been stationed at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca to deter German raiders and Japanese men with Canadian citizenship were serving in the army in France — so he was welcome.
Miyazaki enrolled at the University of B. C., graduated and applied to medical school. Canadian universities refused him entry. He enrolled in the United States, supporting himself as a waiter at a fraternity house. He earned his degree, was licensed in B. C., and in 1930 began practicing in Vancouver. He was active with the Canadian Japanese Association, UBC’s Japanese Alumni Association, and even founded a Japanese newspaper.
Then Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. In 1942, Miyazaki and his wife were interned as enemy aliens with thousands of other Canadians of Japanese descent at a camp near Lillooet. He cared for the health of other prisoners. In 1944, the town doctor died suddenly and Miyazaki was the only available replacement.
For the next 35 years, he travelled snow- choked mountain passes, modifi ed a railway speeder for when roads were blocked by slides and washouts, made the down payment on an ambulance for Lillooet out of his own pocket, did life- saving surgeries on railway cars, and provided service to remote First Nations settlements, isolated ranches and the well- heeled urban establishment without distinction.
In 1950, Lillooet elected him alderman, the fi rst citizen of Japanese ancestry elected to public offi ce in Canada. In 1977, he was appointed to the Order of Canada. He wrote and self- published a warm memoir, My Sixty Years in Canada. He died in Kamloops in 1984.