The order to prepare for the move to the assembly centers left little time for packing, selling household goods, or locating safe storage for precious personal possessions. Allowed to take only what they could carry, Japanese Americans headed for the camps had no room for toys, precious heirlooms, or other personal treasures. Family pets were left behind with memories of the old neighborhood. The patterns of daily life were shattered.

Mary Tsukamoto: Getting Ready (oral history transcript)

Sue Embery: We are American citizens (oral history transcript)

The government offered to store some household possessions for families "at the sole risk of the owner." The government actually stored very little. In many cases, the offer came too late. Some families were fortunate enough to have friends or neighbors who cared for houses, cars, and other possessions.

Morgan Yamanaka: One week to leave (oral history transcript)

For thousands of Japanese American homeowners and small businessmen, moving out also meant selling out — quickly, and at an enormous loss. The total dollar value of the property loss has been estimated at as much as 1.3 billion dollars. Net income losses may have been as high as 2.7 billion dollars (both in 1983 dollars).