MRS. HAGIWARA KANNA（MRS. CHHEANG SENG TEAKKHENA）
BORN IN 1970 IN PHNOM PENH, LIVES IN KANAGAWA

After staying at Yamato Resettlement Promotion Centre (Yamato Centre) for three months, Kanna’s family decided to move to Totori prefecture because her aunts could get jobs for them there, working in a garment industry.

In Totori prefecture, Kanna encountered difficulties when trying to enroll for school. Therefore, Kanna started school late – when she was nine years old. The school and the people did not want her and her cousin to enroll because of their refugee status. The incident was covered in the newspaper and on television. Kanna remembers that they had to often visit the provincial hall to debate the issue. Afterwards, Kanna and her cousin could go to school like other children.

Kanna said: “As refugees, we only wanted happiness in the new land after we experienced war and many difficulties. We did not want to cause any problems. As refugees, we can also contribute our resources to developing the economy of Japan. Therefore, please do not hate or discriminate against us.”