What was the reason for the Japanese Internment during World War II?

The primary reason for the Japanese Internment during World War II was rooted in the fear of espionage and concerns for national security. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, there was a widespread fear among the American public and government officials that individuals of Japanese descent might act as spies or saboteurs for Japan. This apprehension was fueled by racial prejudice and wartime hysteria, leading to the belief that Japanese Americans could not be trusted, regardless of their citizenship status or loyalty to the United States.

As a result, the U.S. government ordered the relocation and internment of around 120,000 Japanese Americans, the majority of whom were citizens. The decision was largely influenced by a combination of military pressure, political influence, and racial discrimination, rather than any substantiated evidence of wrongdoing. This internment is now widely recognized as a grave injustice and violation of civil rights.