Nobuo Hayashi was born in April 1932 and was raised in Nishinomiya, Japan. Growing up in his early youth, he remembered it being good. However, events began to change when he turned eight because Japan was at war with China. Hayashi explains that when the events of the Perry Exhibition occurred [Annotator's Note: the Perry Exhibition was an American Navy diplomatic and military expedition to Japan to negotiate trade agreements in 1853 and 1854], it openned Japan up to the western world and they became more advanced. It also helped encourage the Emperor to become more political and powerful. Japan, within a few years of opening their trade policies, became threatened by the world leaders and wanted to become more industrialized and militarized. They went to war with Russia and lost Manchuria. Japan still wanted to have a stake in China but were considered inferior due to their race by the other world powers. Japan decided they wanted Asian freedom. The Japanese forced the Koreans to comply with their demands after the Japanese killed the Korean king. Japan soon invaded Manchuria and China. Americans and British did not like what Japan was doing and cut off the oil supply. By this time, the military ran the country of Japan. Without receiving oil, Japan had to go to war. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor [Annotator's Note: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941] in retaliation to America withholding oil.

Nobuo Hayashi remembers listening to the radio and hearing how Japan had to attack Pearl Harbor [Annotator's Note: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941] because they would not negotiate with Japan. By this time, the available media was run by the military, so there was no freedom of speech. Hayashi's father was a wealthy businessman who was often visited by the military police. His father negotiated with them by giving money and rice to them so he would not go to jail. Hayashi's father kept a basement full of bagged rice, so his family did not starve like many other people did. At school, Hayashi noticed that his friends had no food and were starving because the government was giving food to all the military men and not the citizens of Japan. In 1943, aerial bombardment started. Hayashi remembers that he would hear the warning signal go off, and they would have to take cover. The bombing was infrequent until the following year. Throughout this time, the media would publish all the wins by the Japanese military in China, the Philippines, Burma, and other locations. Soon, the citizens began to realize that the newspapers were not telling the whole truth. The Americans were winning and securing the islands in the Pacific. Eventually the media had to come forward with the reality of the war and told the Japanese citizens the outcome of Saipan [Annotator's Note: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands]. The Japanese government looked down on luxury and took possessions from their citizens. Hayashi remarks that it was a horrible life. They had no freedom and bombing became a daily event. Soon, American Naval ships came close and began bombarding the city. Hayashi recalls running during a bombardment and his friends were killed as they looked for coverage. Many civilians had bunkers below their houses but were often killed by the carbon monoxide when there houses burned down. It was decided that the children had to move to the country for protection. He recalls seeing destruction of his city as far as his eye could see. He never understood why the Americans bombed civilian houses. His school was turned into a hospital. He helped carry injured people on a stretcher to his school. He recalls questioning why all this was happening for the Emperor. He realized he was brainwashed. At the beginning of his school day, Hayashi and his class would yell, "Banzai," which means "Hurrah," and be willing to die for the emperor. They would have to bow their heads to a picture of the emperor. He did not do it one day and the military police beat him because he did not show respect. Both boys and girls were required to take martial arts, which he enjoyed taking Judo.

Nobuo Hayashi was suppressed with no freedom [Annotator's Note: growing up in Japan during World War 2]. He remembers so many people died. Soon, they heard that the Americans had dropped an atomic bomb [Annotator's Note: nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, 6 and 9 August 1945] on Japan, even though the government kept it secret, at first. Newspapers eventually came out with the news. More bombings followed the two atomic bombs. Japan soon signed a peace treaty with Russia, but the Russians went against their promise and invaded Manchuria. Until this day, Hayashi does not trust Russians. On 15 August 1945, Hayashi remembers listening to the Emperor speak to the Japanese people for the first time ever in history. They wanted an unconditional surrender with America, but at the same time would fight for their country if the Americans invaded mainland Japan. Hayashi comments how brainwashed they were. He was happy when he found out Japan had surrendered. He knew he would live, and the bombings would stop. Some Japanese soldiers were unhappy and committed hara-kiri, which was a suicide by their sword. The emperor told his citizens that he was not god, but just a person.

Nobuo Hayashi remembers when the Americans arrived in their jeeps playing jazz music. He did not trust them at first because the government told the Japanese that Americans would kill them, but his friend told him that was not true and that they American soldiers give out food. Hayashi then decided to go to the road and flag down a jeep. To his surprise, the soldier gave him chocolate and Campbell's chicken noodle soup. He took it home and to his parent's hesitation, he ate the food and thought it was the most delicious food he ever tasted. He went to the road everyday waiting for the jeep to arrive with food. He found out later that the Americans were told by General MacArthur [Annotator's Note: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific Area] to be friendly to the Japanese citizens because they were suppressed by their government. Hayashi thought the American soldiers treated him good and were always bright and happy, while the Japanese soldiers treated him harshly. One of the American soldiers invited him to church, and he was glad to attend. He wanted to be happy like the American soldiers, so he began taking English classes at the church. He became very close with some of the American soldiers, more so than any Japanese soldier. He became an interpreter for many of the Japanese citizens. Hayashi also recalls that MacArthur prohibited the practice of Judo for three years in Japan because he was concerned of the dangers it could have on the Americans. MacArthur eventually allowed Judo to be practiced again but outlawed certain fatal and dangerous techniques. This form of martial arts became a popular practice again in Japan. Hayashi did not realize how oppressed he was until democracy was established in Japan. He never voted for anything until democracy began in Japan. Many missionaries came to Japan and evangelized many Japanese. Hayashi eventually immigrated to America and married an American girl. He became an educator and taught at Tulane [Annotator's Note: Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana]. Later, he opened a Judo school teaching many New Orleanians the martial art, including Archie Manning's [Annotator's Note: Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning, III is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League, primarily with the New Orleans Saints] family.

While living in Japan during World War 2, Nobuo Hayashi describes that the bombings would happen during the day, while fire bombings happened during the nighttime. The fire bombing was like a napalm bomb. It was a liquid or oil that would get on you and catch fire. Hayashi watched people run to the water tanks outside their homes and dive in to extinguish the fire. One night, he saw a B-29 [Annotator's Note: Boeing B-29 Superfortress very heavy bomber] fly over and drop the firebombs over them. Luckily, the wind blew the bombs 100 yards a way onto an empty soccer field. Hayashi and his brothers ran to safety under a bridge. Hayashi can remember how they sounded and how they looked like fireworks in the sky. Hayashi often escaped from bombs on his bicycle. His house was bombed multiple times. After a bombing happened, all his family members would rendezvous back at the house to make sure everyone was still okay. Hayashi still to this day, sings Japanese songs that he was required to learn by the government because its wired into his brain. [Annotator's Note: Hayashi sings and interprets a few songs for the interview.] None of Hayashi's family members had to serve in the military because his wealthy father bribed the government with money. Hayashi was required to learn Kendo, Japanese sword fighting, and Judo, Japanese martial arts. He was indoctrinated to be ready to fight the Americans and prepare to die if they ever invaded Japan. They were trained that it was shameful to be a prisoner of war. He thinks the young Japanese today are entirely different people. They do not have to same respect for their family traditions as he did as a young boy and he is disappointed in the younger Japanese generation.

Nobuo Hayashi came to America in 1963 for business and decided he wanted to stay in the country indefinitely. In 1966, he gave up all his wealth and moved to America for school. He has been happy with his life ever since he came to America. He has since become an educator, and a Judo instructor. He teaches the Olympian style Judo. He wants to become an American. As a young boy, he was nicknamed "Gorilla", because he was a good fighter. He used to have bad dreams reliving the bombings in Japan. He believes the value of life is love, not material things or money. His concern for the future is that people want too much material things. He always emphasizes to his students that it is important to love your family and friends, and to contribute to society. Do not be selfish.