Senzaki Port
During the summer of 1946, problems began to arise at the Senzaki Port repatriation center. Repatriates waiting to board liberty ships were housed in sheds along the bay. Initially, there was enough food and housing since the number of repatriates was lower than SCAP anticipated. However, conditions began to deteriorate as the port started to be used to detain Korean repatriates who were illegally re-entering Japan. In July alone the number of Koreans at Senzaki increased from 491 to 3,400. As the military hastily attempted to construct more housing, a cholera epidemic broke out becuase of overcrowding.
Why were Koreans who voluntarily repatriated to Korea attempting to re-enter Japan? Although there were many intersecting reasons detainees reported, probably the most significant reason was the conditions they returned to in Korea. Since they were only allowed to take with them 1,000 Japanese yen, like the weeping man depicted in the drawing above, many repatriates were deprived of their money and possessions before boarding the liberty ships. Many returned to Korea only to find themselves in greater poverty. Thus, they sought to return to Japan to make a better life for themselves.