Latest news with #JTF
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's cocaine conundrum: 'We only know the ones we get — there could be stuff landing on beaches every night'
Amid all the recognition last week of a job well done — first with the 440kg cocaine haul in Cork and then the sentencing in the MV Matthew case — is the knowledge that an unending tidal wave of cocaine is coming across the Atlantic. 'The interception on Tuesday of the near-half tonne in Courtmacsherry was a great result for the JTF [Joint Task Force],' a security source said, 'and to have that topped-off with the sentencing on Friday of the MV Matthew, again a JTF operation, was icing on the cake'. The source added: 'The one Tuesday was a lot of coordination and logistics among the gardaí, on the surveillance and operational sides of the house, and also Customs and the Defence Forces — the Naval Service and the Air Corps.' The dramatic military intervention of the Army Rangers, fast-roping from a helicopter onto the deck of the MV Matthew in September 2023, is etched in people's memories. That too was a JTF operation [Gardaí, Revenue and Defence Forces] and the LE William Butler Yeats was involved in both. The sprawling international investigation into the MV Matthew — as revealed at the time in the Irish Examiner — identified Iranian and Hezbollah fixers and traffickers and the power of the Dubai-based Kinahan cartel. As Detective Superintendent Keith Halley of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) said after the sentencing, these transnational organised crime networks have 'immense capabilities, unlimited resources and global reach'. Lessons from MV Matthew With the MV Matthew the traffickers had even gone to the expense and work of buying and registering their own bulk cargo vessel and directly hiring and running crews to operate it. Sources said that particular smuggling operation was 'overly complicated' and that the cartels have learned from it. More recently, the cartels are concentrating on corrupting/intimidating crews working on legitimate commercial vessels to do the work. Security sources were impressed with the operation at Broad Strand Beach last Tuesday. 'This gang ran a very smooth operation,' one source said. 'The guys in the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) were dressed all in black, come in slow, in the dead of night, on a low throttle. 'There's a van waiting, the drugs are loaded and the van is gone. They made it look very simple.' Unlucky for this gang, gardaí had intelligence, assisted by the maritime tracking expertise of the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre — Narcotics (MAOC-N), the EU drug interdiction agency. The drugs seized during Tuesday's operation in Courtmacsherry. Picture: Gardaí And watching the gang's 'maritime team' on their fast boat as they approached Broad Strand beach, not far from the coastal town of Courtmacsherry, and the 'ground team' waiting in the van, was the secretive Garda National Surveillance Unit. The Defence Forces had the LE William Butler Yeats deployed at sea and the Air Corps was requested, with the CASA 284 taking off from Baldonnell at 3.50am. Two RHIBs on the Butler Yeats engaged in a high speed chase of the gang's RHIB as it sped away along the coast, towards Waterford. But they were no match for the armed NS Maritime Interdiction Team and were caught. Meanwhile, the two-man landing team were brought to an abrupt halt by the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and DOCB on the road to Courtmacsherry. But experienced officers know that for every good catch they have, multiples are getting through. All you need is a beach 'The reality is we only know the ones we get,' a security source said. 'And given how simple this gang made it look, there could be stuff landing on beaches every night. 'The fact is you don't need a pier anymore. There used to be talk of all the remote piers across the country and how can you watch them. Now, all the gangs need is a beach.' There are an estimated 25 ports in the Republic. According to the Ireland Walking Guide, there are 300 beaches dotted along the coast. The threat posed by gangs using fast boats is affecting much of Europe. Last February, MAOC-N organised an operational workshop because of the 'growing use' of fast boats in maritime cocaine smuggling. It noted the 'expanding operational range' of these boats, adding they were 'increasingly difficult to track and intercept'. As mentioned, South American cartels are using legitimate commercial vessels to smuggle their consignments to Ireland. When the vessels near whatever Irish port they are scheduled to go to, the maritime team takes off and speeds towards it. 'The vessel doesn't even need to stop,' a source said. 'The RHIB comes up behind the vessel, the consignment is lowered down by the crew and the ship continues to port where it offloads its legitimate cargo.' That happened in the Courtmacsherry haul, with the bulk carrier, coming from Argentina, scheduled to dock at Ringaskiddy Port in Cork. Cell structures in drug trafficking Cell structures are not necessarily new in trafficking and the MV Matthew showed that — with bosses in Dubai calling the shots over encrypted phones. The structure often breaks down as follows: A 'control team' orchestrating everything by encrypted phones, in contact with the captain or crew of a mother ship, and tracking its movements, and the various teams at the receiving end; A 'boat team' on the vessel, which exits a South American port, either with the drugs already on board or collected en route and rendezvous with a team at the receiving country; A 'maritime team' is based on a departure point on the coast of the country and when told by the control team, leaves on a RHIB to a designated area at sea and collects the drugs and brings them to a landing point — separate to their departure point. This team then travels either back to their original staring point or another one and leaves; A 'ground team' collects the drugs from the maritime team and loads into a waiting van and typically in Ireland's case drives by motorway to the North and gets a ferry to Scotland, unless some or all the haul is for Ireland. In some cases, the control team might have a second ground team ready, just in case. In addition, authorities are aware of specialist 'all Ireland' gangs, typically based along the border, that provide the ground team service. 'This is a sophisticated system,' a security source said. 'It doesn't always work, as we know, but they don't need it to work all the time and they factor in that shipments will be lost, but that have billions to throw at this.' Ireland bombarded by cocaine shipments At we can see at the map, Ireland is being bombarded by huge cocaine shipments coming across the Atlantic. Estimates based on Garda and Revenue figures indicate that around 930kgs of cocaine has been seized so far this year, compared to about 760kgs of cocaine in 2024. 2023 was a record year, with approximately 3.45 tonnes of cocaine seized. Even excluding the MV Matthew's 2.25 tonnes, an additional 1.2 tonnes was seized during the rest of the year. There has been a massive rise in seizures of just five or 10 years ago. Between 2016 and 2021 the annual total seized ranged from a low of 52kgs in 2017 to a high of 138kgs in 2020. Trying to estimate just how much gets in, without being seized, is very difficult. 'You are never certain how much we are seizing and how much is getting in, but the 10-15% estimate is probably true,' said one security source. The consignments of cocaine bound for Europe that are being seized indicates the sheer scale of cocaine smuggling. MAOC-N made two record hauls of cocaine last year — each of them a colossal 10.5 tonnes. Both consignments were seized by the French Navy, one in the Caribbean and the other Gulf of Guinea, off west Africa, a major supply route to Europe. Drugs hauls around Ireland since April 2023. ie070725 In all, MAOC-N and partner countries seized a total of around 70 tonnes of cocaine in 2024. So far this year, the figure stands at 34.5 tonnes, including one nine-tonne haul, again by the French Navy in the Caribbean, and a 6.4-tonne seizure by the French in the Gulf of Guinea. The EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) said in June that record quantities of cocaine have been seized in Europe in 2023, for the seventh year in a row — 419 tonnes, compared to 323 tonnes in 2022. And just this month the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported record high cocaine production levels, nearly doubling since 2020. 'Europe is being bombarded with cocaine and has been since the start of 2023 and Ireland is on the west coast of Europe,' a security source said. The EUDA and Europol, the EU police agency, have been warning in recent years that because of increased security at the two biggest ports for cocaine importation in Europe — Antwerp and Rotterdam — cartels are redirecting part of the trade to smaller ports in Europe, such as ones in France, Sweden and Denmark. Experts here believe Ireland is definitely part of that trend: 'Absolutely, 100% yes,' said a source. 'Every port in Europe is vulnerable. Cartels look for weaknesses wherever they can find them.' Ireland a weak spot in Europe Compounding this factor is the perceived poor levels of maritime security in Ireland. 'Cartels see and hear that Ireland is a point of least resistance, with the well-publicised lack of naval assets and air cover and the crisis in staffing,' a source said. The Naval Service struggles to get more than one long range patrol ship out at any one time, while a dire shortage of controllers at Baldonnell is restricting and delaying Air Corps patrols and their ability to respond to requests at speed. One security source said the drug operations don't always need a physical aircraft in the sky — namely the Air Corps CASA C295 — and that drones would do the job. 'These gangs are so clever that a RHIB might leave point A and, you think, it's to deliver to point B, say a beach, but the RHIB collects the drugs from the vessel and drops the load at point C, somewhere else, to be picked up by another vessel that you don't know about. If you don't have air surveillance we don't know this.' Some other sources differ to a degree, saying the CASA may actually be cheaper than similar military-grade drones with a similar sensor suite. There can also be issues with endurance of drones and their sensor payload. Another source with knowledge of the Air Corps said that the Defence Forces was 'years behind' where they should be in MALE (medium altitude long endurance) drone space. 'They are like little small planes and have endurance for nine to 12 hours and can give persistence in an operating area in surveillance, say over a mothership," the source said. You could then bring a CASA in, which could react quicker and have better sensors, at least in radar. The source said that the central problem limiting the Air Corps — which has received extensive publicity recently — is the lack of controllers, operating, thought to be at less than 50% capacity. 'Without controllers you can't dispatch a CASA, so if there is a call from the gardaí or Customs for air cover outside nine-to-five Monday to Friday, there is going to be a delay as you have to call in a controller on a rest day and scramble a crew. 'Now they did it on Tuesday (CASA departed at 3.50am, although not clear when request came in) but, generally, there's a significant issue there.' This source blamed 'inaction and mostly lack of ambition' at both DFHQ and Department of Defence level in pushing the need to invest in a military-grade maritime drone. A second source agreed: 'We need drones now, but there seems to be very little movement.' The programme for government makes the following commitment: 'Fund innovative law enforcement technologies including unmanned drones to patrol our coast and ports and detect the trafficking of illegal drugs. 'This will supplement the work of our air and naval services in this sphere.' A Maritime Interdiction Team (MIT) receiving a briefing at sea. Picture: Gardaí Asked about steps to implement this pledge, the Department of Justice did not say if was not working on this area and said queries around the operational requirements of gardaí were a matter for Garda HQ. It said the procurement and use of drones by the Defence Forces in an Aid to the Civil Power [ATCP] capacity, including drug interdiction at sea, was a matter Department of Defence and Defence Forces. In a statement, the Department of Defence said: 'The Air Corps currently does not operate unmanned aerial drones for the patrolling of Irish territorial airspace or waters. 'However it is proposed that this capability will be developed in future in line with a specific recommendation in this regard made by the Commission on the Defence Forces. 'The timeframe for this will be outlined in the updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is due to be published shortly." It said the two C295 maritime aircraft, specially equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment, were delivered to the Air Corps in 2023. "These new aircraft provide a significantly enhanced maritime surveillance capability and, like all Defence Forces capabilities, can be deployed in an ATCP role in support of An Garda Síochána and in support of the Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction," it said. The 2.25 tonnes of cocaine that was seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, had an estimated value of more than €157. The cargo ship was boarded in a dramatic operation by the Army Rangers, a specialist wing of the Irish Defence Forces, in September 2023. File picture: Larry Cummins It said that, at present, the Naval Service operate a selection of "non-military specification drones" for tasks such as search and rescue, intelligence gathering and fishery protection. Sources have said that the necessary military-grade drones — one with the necessary technology, endurance, operational and regulatory capabilities — do not come cheap and that countries typically buy them in pairs. US prices would suggest two would cost around €100m. (The next CASA has a price-tag of €59m). European manufacturers, such as Airbus, also manufacture similar grade drones. 'It all depends on what exactly you want to do and what you want to spend,' one source said. 'But a drone would not be just for counter-drug operations, it could also be used for fisheries and monitoring offshore and coastal critical infrastructure.' If you are serious about security, you need to spend the money. If you don't, you pay the price. Other sources point out that cartels are constantly improvising and investing in research and engineering — including in semi-submersibles. In December 2019, Spanish authorities intercepted the first ever transatlantic semi-submersible or 'narcosub' in Europe. In March 2021, the first ever semi-submersible being constructed in Europe was uncovered in Spain. In March this year, the Portugese navy intercepted a narcosub in the Azores after travelling from Brazil with a colossal 6.5 tonnes of cocaine — and five crew — on board. Last week Colombian Navy seized a narco-sub with a satellite antenna on the bow, possibly allowing it to be operated remotely by cartels without the need for a crew. Some sources here suspect cartels will also begin using drones to transport cocaine consignments. 'The west African cocaine route is a major supplier to Europe, so use of drones across the Mediterranean is very possible," said a security source. "You could also start seeing the likes of a cargo ship out in the Atlantic launching a drone — without the need for RHIBs." Another source said: 'Cartels are spending billions on technology. They have more cocaine than they know what to do with and people in Ireland and across Europe are desperate to shove it up their noses and not think about how it got there. 'Meanwhile, our navy and air corps is depleted and the government just makes statements and promises. This problem is getting bigger and bigger and we need action — now.'
The Journal
05-07-2025
- The Journal
Irish criminals top tier of international organised crime, Interpol organised crime chief reveals
LAST UPDATE | 33 mins ago IRISH CRIMINALS ARE at the top tier of international organised crime, a senior Interpol official has said. This morning, at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork, Irish and international agencies involved in Operation Piano, the mission to capture the MV Matthew, have spoken for the first time about how Ireland's largest ever cocaine seizure happened. Gardaí, Customs, the Naval Service, Interpol and MAOC-N outlined their teams' work in the capture in September 2023. Yesterday eight men, from Ukraine, Iran and the UK were sentenced to lengthy jail terms for their part in the mission. This morning, at a press conference, the voicemails from the Dubai based criminal controller were played for the first time for media. In an extraordinary video produced by the Garda Press Office and issued by participating agencies – the true drama of Operation Piano was revealed. On the 26th of September 2023, the MV Matthew was interdicted by the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Drug Interdiction. The JTF consists of the Revenue Customs Service, An Garda Síochána and the Naval Service as the lead representatives for the Defence Forces. During this operation,… — Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) July 5, 2025 As revealed yesterday by The Journal part of the operation was a fundraising drive by Iranian operatives on behalf of the Hezbollah terror group . It was confirmed in Haulbowline this morning that three of the men on board were part of that Iranian team. Speaking to The Journal after the press conference David Caunter, of the Interpol Organised and Emerging Crime Directorate, said that Irish criminals are right at the head of the global organised crime snake. 'It [Irish criminal involvement in a European super cartel] continues to evolve. These cartels are super resilient. 'They're looking for new ways to get their drugs to market. So I think it's changing. I think the threat of synthetic drugs is on the rise globally. We're seeing synthetic drug markets popping up, especially here in Europe, which is an alarming trend just based from the high potential for death overdose deaths like we've seen in North America. 'So that's something that we're monitoring quite closely,' he said. Caunter said that there is evidence of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs such as nitazene which has become more prevalent across Europe. 'We're also seeing an increase in what we call poly drug cocktail drugs, pink cocaine, for example, which actually doesn't contain cocaine, but it is a mixture of various different synthetic drugs. 'When organizations are poisoning the streets with those types of substances, there's a high potential for overdose deaths and [associated] illnesses,' he added. He said that the nitazenes are more prevalent in Europe because the American market was hit first with fentanyl and the abuse of prescription drugs. Nitazene has been found in Ireland in counterfeit yellow tranquiliser style drugs – a warning has been issued by the HSE to users after several overdoses . Advertisement Caunter said the 'traditional plant based drug manufacturing' is not limited by geographical location and the crime groups are now moving towards synthetic drugs as it is easier to produce locally. 'It can really happen anywhere, anywhere in the world, and that's what makes it quite alarming. You can, you can move your your production zone right next to your your transportation networks,' he added. David Caunter, Director of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL during a briefing at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Caunter said that connections between European organised crime involving Irish criminals with their counterparts such as the Sinaloa Cartel is widespread and evolving. When asked where do Irish organised criminals sit on the seniority level in global crime, whether they are top tier, middle or bottom, he said: ' I would say they're a top criminal organisation.' The intelligence Sjoerd Top, the director of the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon, Portugal. Speaking in Haulbowline Naval Base this morning he said that Ireland was an example of the successes that can come from working together with international partners and Irish state agencies. Gardaí and Revenue Customs had received intelligence in Ireland prior to Operation Piano that also assisted in the targeting of the five people buying the Castlemore, the fishing boat which was destined to be used to transfer the drugs from the MV Matthew. This information was then married up with MAOC-N information that ultimately led to the seizure. Ireland runs a coastwatch initiative where people can contact the authorities to tell them of suspicious activity. Top referenced the seizure of €51m worth of cocaine in Cork last week and spoke of the importance of liaising with the Irish public when dealing with organised crime. 'Both cases show that cooperation, both nationally and internationally is crucial, and Ireland is an example for others of how to organise yourself well nationally and connect that with international bodies such as MAOC-N. 'I want to highlight the point that often gets less attention, but in my view has been crucial in this case. Ireland was able to engage the public and ask them to report strange behavior of their individuals. It has been able to link local knowledge with intelligence coming from international partners. 'Tackling organised crime groups benefits from a resilient society where the public, police, and customs are closely linked. That is not to be underestimated part of the success in these cases,' he said. Top explained that part of the assessment carried out by MAOC-N is about deciding which country can best target individual shipments and that is how Ireland succeeded in the MV Matthew mission. '[We analyse] which country had the best chance of making a successful interdiction that would lead to a successful prosecution. 'And based on the intelligence brought in by several countries, [Irish] liaison officers based in Lisbon, Portugal, we were able to swiftly organise that Ireland had the chance of a successful engagement where evidence could be gathered. 'In addition, we were able to support Ireland with analysis on vessel movements that clearly showed that those on board had evil intentions. In supporting so we were not only able to support Ireland but also other countries to use their scarce resources effectively and efficiently,' he added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí suspect €31m Courtmacsherry cocaine haul was destined for UK market
Gardaí suspect a British-German trafficking gang planned to bring yesterday's €31m cocaine haul in Cork across the border and onto a ferry to Scotland for UK distribution. A two-day investigation — beginning with a spy operation by the highly secretive Garda National Surveillance Unit and ending with a high-speed chase by Naval Service fast boats of fleeing gang members — resulted in the arrest of all four members of the drug importation team, which is believed to be Scottish-led. The four men comprise two Scots, one English, and one German — all in their 30s and 40s. They are described by security sources as 'critical' in terms of the 'logistics' of the operation. Two of the men were caught with an estimated 443kgs of cocaine when the elite Garda Emergency Response Unit and armed officers from the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted their van in Courtmacsherry. Two other members on a fast rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) were chased by two Naval Service RHIBs, carrying armed members of the NS Maritime Interdiction Team, and intercepted off the Cork coast. The suspect RHIB had been used to transport the cocaine from a mother ship off the coast to Broad Strand Beach, just south of Courtmacsherry. Irish agencies have identified the suspect mother ship — a bulk carrier cargo ship — registered in Barbados. They are now tracking its movements, which was in the Atlantic North East last night. The EU drug interdiction agency MAOC-N, which assisted authorities in the operation, is believed to be helping in this regard. It appears the ship have may docked in recent days in an Irish port to offload legitimate goods before dropping off the drugs out at sea for the landing team - in a trend that authorities in Europe have spotted. High tide occurred at 3am on Tuesday, and it's believed the cocaine was brought ashore directly onto Broad Strand beach and loaded into a van just before 4am. 'The full team has been caught, along with the almost half-tonne of cocaine,' a security source said. "There was full Joint Task Force (JTF) deployment and a great result achieved". The JTF is comprised of An Garda Síochána, Revenue, Irish Naval Service, and Air Corps. It is understood that the JTF — probably through Revenue — has contacted with the EU drug interdiction agency, MAOC-N, to try and locate the mother ship and trace its origins, mostly likely South America or the Caribbean. Gardaí have estimated the haul to be worth around €31m, based on the standard street value of €70,000 per kilo. But given the haul was sent straight from South America without being cut, the final value is likely to be considerably more. It is the largest seizure of cocaine since the colossal haul of 2.25 tonnes on the MV Matthew off the Cork coast in September 2023, in what was another JTF operation. The Courtmacsherry seizure tops the 300kg haul of cocaine at Foynes Port in Limerick in December 2023, the next biggest seizure in recent years. Interviews are continuing with the four men arrested and forensic analysis will begin on digital devices that have been found to try and identify recent communications. Officers suspect the haul was bound for the British market primarily. 'We suspect its for the UK and was heading that way, the North the easiest route, but it's coming in through our shores,' a security source said. The Naval Service deployed the LÉ William Butler Yeats offshore patrol vessel for the operation and its two RHIBs pursued the two gang members on their own RHIB. A Garda HQ statement said: 'Two Naval Service rigid-hulled inflatable boats, with members of ships armed Maritime interdiction Team, were launched from LÉ William Butler Yeats and intercepted the suspect RIB off the coast of Cork. 'The suspect RIB was detained by Revenue Customs and the two males were taken on board the LÉ William Butler Yeats. The LÉ William Butler Yeats returned to Haulbowline Naval Base and both males [were arrested] by Gardaí.' The Butler Yeats was also involved in the MV Matthew operation. The Air Corps C295 was involved throughout the operation. Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan praised the cooperation of the agencies.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Future Cast launches new €1m training centre for mechanical and electrical trades in Ballaghaderreen
A new €1m training centre for mechanical and electrical trades is to open in a previously derelict property in the centre of Ballaghaderreen in Co. Roscommon. The project which is being led by Future Cast has transformed a derelict building in the centre of the town into a purpose built training and assessment. The new Mechanical and Electrical Training and Assessment Centre (METAC) at the Mill Business Park comes with state of the art equipment, 16-person classrooms, and dedicated workshop spaces accommodating eight to ten learners. The centre is being co-funded by the Government of Ireland and EU through the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF), in a scheme administered by Pobal. It is hoped that METAC will breathe new life into a region, which has experienced job losses from the closure of Bord na Mona peat-burning power stations, by re-skilling locals for the future of work. Future Cast CEO JJ O'Hara noted that the opening of hte new centre is a "tangible example of what can be achieved when local innovation meets national support." "Today marks a major milestone for Ballaghaderreen and the Just Transition wider Just Transition region. This centre is about more than just skills development – it's about creating real opportunities for local people," said Mr O'Hara. Future Cast is a not-for-profit centre for innovation, education and R&D for the construction, manufacturing and quarrying industries. Based in Co. Leitrim, it is the trading name of Manorhamilton Innovation and Development CLG. Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, describes the project as exemplifying the aims of the EU Just Transition Fund programme. "Educating, retraining and upskilling individuals will help to bring job opportunities and economic diversification to communities of a region that has historically depended on the peat industry," said Ms Bannon. "Training programmes like this, which enable diverse and local communities to adapt and thrive in in-demand sectors, are crucial for ensuring an inclusive green and digital transition."
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why you should visit the three remaining Japantowns in the U.S.
Before World War II, there were over 80 Japanese communities across America with at least 40 located in California. The development of these communities came to an abrupt halt on February 19, 1942, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 and had people of Japanese descent forcibly removed from their homes to be incarcerated in concentration camps. In response to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the national order identified Japanese Americans as 'enemy aliens'. It resulted in about 120,000 people detained, over two-thirds of whom were born and raised in the United States. More than 1,800 Japanese Americans died during their imprisonment. In 2022, President Joe Biden declared February 19 the Day of Remembrance to commemorate the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and reflect on its consequences. Executive Order 9066 not only disrupted the lives of individuals and families but destroyed entire cultural enclaves. It's estimated the Japanese lost an estimated $400 million during their incarceration. Many survivors attempted to return home only to discover their belongings had been stolen and their properties vandalized or sold, effectively erasing their existence from their neighborhoods. From the 1950s onward, Japanese communities were further wiped out in urban renewal projects targeting new investors and commercial developments. Today, three officially recognized Japantowns in the United States are in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. Below are their stories. By visiting these vital spaces and supporting their businesses, travelers can contribute to preserving Japanese culture and heritage. (Related: Restoring Hawaii's forgotten World War II internment sites.) San Francisco's Japantown is the largest and oldest of three remaining Japantowns in the United States. Its history dates back to the 1800s when San Francisco served as the main port of entry for Asian immigrants to mainland America. Japanese set up enclaves in Chinatown and South of Market that thrived until the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Undeterred, they relocated to the city's Western Addition. By 1940, Japantown was home to more than 5,000 Japanese residents and 200 Japanese-owned businesses, making it one of the largest Japanese communities outside Japan. 'Japantown used to occupy 40 blocks and you could get anything done from getting your shoes shined to your suit made,' says Dr. Emily Murase, executive director of the Japantown Task Force (JTF), a San Francisco non-profit dedicated to preserving and developing the neighborhood. The bustling neighborhood all but vanished when its residents were incarcerated as a result of Executive Order 9066. The Japanese attempted to rebuild their community when they were released but faced an uphill battle. After World War II, urban renewal became a huge focus for America, and Japantown was one of the first areas targeted for a large-scale project known as the Western Addition Redevelopment project. Half of the neighborhood was torn down by 1960 and redevelopment continued through the 1980s. Murase says about six blocks of Japantown remain today. Although it has evolved into more of a shopping, dining, and entertainment district than a residential neighborhood, it stands as a testament to the Japanese American community's strength. 'Japantown was crushed not once, but twice,' she says, referencing both the earthquake and the war. 'The fact that it still exists demonstrates the resilience of the community. This is our little village and we're proud of it.' Murase recommends that visitors take the Japantown History Walk—a self-guided audio tour featuring historically and culturally significant landmarks—to better understand the neighborhood. One of the most important landmarks is the Peace Pagoda, a five-tiered stupa donated to San Francisco by the people of Osaka, Japan. For food, Udon Mugizo serves bowls of housemade traditional udon noodles and Hikari Sushi delivers conveyor belt-style sushi on miniature bullet trains. Those looking for unique gifts can stop at Asakichi, an antique specialty store known for its traditional iron teapots, and Paper Tree, a family-owned origami museum and shop that offers origami-folding classes. (Related: These little-known sites help families connect to Asian American history.) In the late 1800s, Japanese foreign nationals began immigrating to the Santa Clara Valley because of its abundant farm work opportunities. They initially settled in San Jose's Chinatown but went on to establish their own community alongside the Chinese, and later, immigrants from the Philippines. After Executive Order 9066 was issued, all people of Japanese ancestry were told to report to the San Jose State College men's gymnasium for registration without knowing they would be incarcerated for the next three years. Historian Curt Fukuda, author of San Jose Japantown: A Journey, says that many Japanese, including his parents, chose to settle in San Jose—after they were released—because of its large Asian population. 'There was still anti-Japanese sentiment in the area, but there was enough tolerance that they felt safe,' he says. 'After the war, the Japanese population doubled from what it was before.' Today, although the upward mobility of the immigrants' children and grandchildren has resulted in many Japanese Americans moving away from Japantown; it remains a strongly-rooted community that caters to residents rather than tourists. 'By comparison to San Francisco Japantown and Los Angeles' Little Tokyo, San Jose Japantown is very humble,' Fukuda says. 'It's a living community that serves its neighborhood.' He recommends visitors take advantage of the city's no-frills food scene, which is full of tiny restaurants serving down-home cooking. 'Nobu's fantastic, but you won't find that in San Jose Japantown,' he says with a laugh. Check out Minato for its katsu curry and Gombe for Japanese-style fried chicken and oysters. Fukuda says the Shuei-do Manju Shop is 'a must' for its manjū, a traditional Japanese confection. To delve into Japantown's history, visit San Jose Betsuin, a Buddhist church founded in 1902 to bring together Japanese immigrants, and the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, which chronicles more than a century of Japanese American history and features a barracks room that's an accurate recreation of a family's living quarter at one of the concentration camps. (Related: Why does the U.S. have so many Chinatowns?) Little Tokyo celebrated its 140th anniversary last year, but like the Japantowns in San Francisco and San Jose, it's had to overcome plenty of adversity over the years. Most recently, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of America's most endangered places. 'We have a long history of fighting for our neighborhood,' says Kristin Fukushima, executive director of Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) in Los Angeles. It's estimated that 37,000 Japanese Americans from Los Angeles County were incarcerated during World War II and that over a third of them chose to relocate elsewhere when they were released. Remaining residents and community activists united to preserve the neighborhood amid urban development, leading to Little Tokyo's revival in the 1970s and its designation as a National Historic District in 1986. Today, Little Tokyo is home to more than 50 legacy businesses, which the LTCC defines as businesses that have been part of the neighborhood for at least 20 years. That includes Kouraku, the longest-running ramen shop in America, and Sushi Gen, a family-run sushi spot in a strip mall that's as popular with locals as tourists. Bunkado is a one-stop gift shop that offers a wide range of traditional items, including ceramics and paper lanterns. The Japanese American National Museum is dedicated to educating the public on the Japanese American experience and includes an exhibit on the community's incarceration during World War II. (It's currently closed for renovation but will reopen in late 2026.) Other popular attractions in Little Tokyo include East West Players, the country's first professional Asian American theatre organization, and Japangeles, a clothing boutique that specializes in Tokyo and Los Angeles-inspired streetwear. For street art, Miyako Hotel boasts a 150-foot-tall mural featuring Shohei Ohtani, a Japanese baseball star and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 'When people visit us, they can also think of it as supporting a historic community and what so many generations have fought for,' Fukushima says. 'We would not still be here if it weren't for them.' (Related: In L.A.'s Koreatown, travelers find a 'second Seoul'.) Erika Hobart is a Japanese American travel writer and photographer based in Marrakech, Morocco. Follow her on Instagram.
