Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Frank Chin Oral History Collection
1974-1986
Cage 654
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- Chin, Frank, 1940-
- Title
- Frank Chin Oral History Collection
- ID
- Cage 654
- Date [inclusive]
- 1974-1986
- Extent
- 4 Linear feet of shelf space, 6 Containers
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Chiefly cassette tape interviews (156) with Japanese American resisters during WW II.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
Frank Chin Oral History Collection, 1974-1986 (Cage 654)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Frank Chin (1940- ) was born in Berkeley, California, on February 25, 1940. After attending the University of California, Berkeley and Iowa State University, he earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1965. Frank Chin worked in railroads. His career includes stints as a writer, editor, and free-lance consultant and lecturer on Chinese Americans and racism. He was a film consultant and lectured and taught creative writing in the late 1960s and 1970s at San Francisco State College, the University of California, Berkeley, and at Western Washington University. He is the author of film scripts, plays, and short fiction. Chin was especially concerned with combating racist stereotypes of Asian Americans. This oral history collection is part of his ongoing effort to document the lives of Asian Americans.
Scope and Content
The Frank Chin Oral History Collection consists of audio tape interviews, selected transcripts, and additional explanatory material. The interviews, all done either by Chin or Lawson Inada, are with Japanese Americans who were either native born, second generation Americans (Nisei), permanent U.S. residents born in Japan (Issei), or their family members. During World War II they became the focus of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, issued on February 19, 1942. The result of Roosevelt's order was to strip the Nisei of their citizenship and both groups of their constitutional rights. Under the auspices of the War Relocation Authority, the Selective Service required both groups to answer a questionnaire that, among other things, questioned their willingness to serve in the U.S. military and their willingness to repudiate their allegiance to Japan. One group of Japanese American resisters became known as the "No-No Boys" because they answered negatively to both these questions. The people interviewed in these tapes were directly or indirectly affected by these events and they offer a variety of perspectives on their significance. During World War II, roughly 120,000 adults and children of Japanese ancestry, many American citizens, were imprisoned in U.S. government run incarceration camps known euphemistically as “relocation centers".
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically into three series. Series 1, Audio Tapes, consists of one hundred fifty-six of the original group of cassette tape interviews. They vary in actual recorded length on 60-90 minute tapes, with some interviews recorded on multiple cassettes. Entries include the interviewee and the date and location of the interview (when known). An asterisk at the end of an entry indicates the availability of a transcript, most of which are partial. Series 2, Transcripts, consists of sixteen typed transcriptions of some of the tapes in Series 1. In some cases, however, no reference tape is available. It should be pointed out that these transcripts are not entirely accurate and that different people may have transcribed the same or different portions of a given interview. Where possible, transcripts are cross-referenced to the tape from which they are taken. Series 3, Reference Material, consists of additional material about the collection, including notes on some of the interviewees, the names of transcribers (where available), and other information about the original project.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2021
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Custodial History
Dr. Gail Nomura, former director of the Washington State University Asian American Studies Program, acquired the Frank Chin Oral History Collection from Frank Chin.
Acquisition Information
The Frank Chin Oral History Collection was donated to the Washington State University Libraries in 1989 by Dr. Gail Nomura.
Processing Information
In 2021, in response to evolving societal understanding regarding the language used to describe the impact of Executive Order 9066, this finding aid was revised to more accurately provide context to the mass incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.
Related Materials
Related Material
George and Frank C. Hirahara Photograph Collection of Heart Mountain, Wyoming, 1932-2016 (SC 014)
Tom T. Hide Collection, 1925-2012 (SC 014.1)
Okubara Family Collection, circa 1943-2008 (SC 014.2)
Takeda Family Collection, 1938-circa 2012 (SC 014.3)
Kenneth Nishiyori Collection, 1942-1944 (SC 014.4)
George and Doris McIntyre Papers, 1944-1945 (SC 014.5)
Mari Tsuruyama Okumura Collection, 1936-2014 (SC 014.6)
Patti Hirahara Collection, 1955-2020 (SC 014.7)
Terry Ishihara Collection, 1989-2012 (SC 014.8)
Mike Mackey Collection, 1940-2002 (SC 014.9)
Heart Mountain High School Tempo, 1945 (SC 014.10)
Fusataro Nakaya Photographs, circa 1944 (SC 014.11)
Nabata Family Collection of Heart Mountain Photographs, circa 1942-1945 (SC 014.12)
Inez Puckett McEwen Collection on Japanese-American Incarceration, 1942-1943 (Cage 4923)
Japanese American Redress Collection, 1976-2000 (Cage 5126)
Names and Subjects
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Chin, Frank, 1940- -- Archives.
Creator(s) :
- Inada, Lawson Fusao -- interviewer
Subject(s)
- Japanese Americans -- Civil rights.
- Japanese Americans -- Forced removal and internment, 1942-1945 -- Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Japanese Americans.
- Japanese Americans>
- Oral Histories
Detailed Description of Collection
Series 1: Audio Tapes |
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| box | tape | |||
|
Akutsu, Jim. Seattle, Washington. 2 September 1982 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Akutsu, Jim. Seattle, Washington. 2 September 1982 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Akutsu, Jim. Seattle, Washington. 2 September 1982 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Bullitt, Stimson.Seattle, Washington. 9 August 1978 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Nakata, Mike; Horiuchi, Chiyo Nakata; Sasaki, Shosuke. Undated |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Date, Don. Gardena.* 29 November 1981 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
Date, Don. Gardena.* 29 November 1981 |
1 | 7 | ||
|
Emi, Frank. Undated |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Emi, Frank [Los Angeles, California.] 25 April 1982 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Emi, Frank. Los Angeles, California. 25 April 1982 |
1 | 10 | ||
|
Emi, Frank. [Los Angeles, California.] 25 April 1982 |
1 | 11 | ||
|
Emi, Frank. Seto Restaurant. 13 May 1982 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
Emi, Frank; Hayashi, Glen; Inada, Lawson. 13 May 1982 |
1 | 13 | ||
|
Emi, Frank; Emi, Art. 16 May 1982 |
1 | 14 | ||
|
Emi, Frank; Emi, Art. 16 May 1982 |
1 | 15 | ||
|
Emi, Frank; Emi, Art. 2 May 1982 |
1 | 16 | ||
|
Emi, Frank; Emi, Art. 2 May 1982 |
1 | 17 | ||
|
Hamayoshi; Dinnon; Ino, Toru. 15 May 1982 |
1 | 18 | ||
|
Heart Mountain 63: Tono, Jack; Torrance. 1, 4 April 1982 |
1 | 19 | ||
|
Heart Mountain 63: Torrance. 4 April 1982 |
1 | 20 | ||
|
Heart Mountain 63. [Mountainview, California.] 9 April 1982 |
1 | 21 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Resisters, Kozy's. Mountainview, California. 9 April 1982. |
1 | 22 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Resisters: Omura; Emi; Sakai, Kozie. Mountainview, California. 19, 22 May 1982 |
1 | 23 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Resister: Sakai, Kozie. [Mountainview, California.] 22 May 1982 |
1 | 24 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Resisters: Sakai, Kozie; Omura, James; Kawamoto, Dave. Mountainview, California. 22 May 1982. |
1 | 25 | ||
|
Heart Mountain. [Mountainview, California.] 22 May 1982. |
1 | 26 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Resisters: Fair Play. Mountainview, California. 22 May 1982 |
1 | 27 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Fair Play. Mountainview, California. 22 May 1982 |
1 | 28 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Fair Play; Omura, James. [Mountainview, California.] 22, 25 May 1982 |
1 | 29 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Sentinel. Undated |
1 | 30 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Sentinel. Undated |
1 | 31 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Sentinel. Undated |
1 | 32 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Sentinel. Undated |
1 | 33 | ||
|
Heart Mountain Sentinel. Undated |
1 | 34 | ||
|
Hirabashi [Hirabiyashi, Gordon]. Undated |
2 | 35* | ||
|
Hirabiyashi, Gordon. San Francisco, California* 4 June 1983 |
2 | 36 | ||
|
Hirabiyashi, Gordon. San Francisco, California* 4/5 (?) June 1983 |
2 | 37 | ||
|
Hirabiyashi, Gordon; Hirabiyashi, James. San Francisco, California* 4, 5 June 1983 |
2 | 38 | ||
|
Hosokawa, Bill.* 24 January 1979 |
2 | 39 | ||
|
Hosokawa, Bill. 25 January 1979 |
2 | 40 | ||
|
Ito, Kenji. Los Angeles, California. 1981 |
2 | 41 | ||
|
Kaku, Y.; Date, Don; Yamakido, J. 4 December 1982 |
2 | 42 | ||
|
Kataoka, Masao; Omura, James; Emi, Frank. Los Angeles, California. 18 September 1985 |
2 | 43 | ||
|
Kataoka, Masao; Omura, James; Emi, Frank. Los Angeles, California. 18 September 1985 |
2 | 44 | ||
|
Kawai, Nobu. Pasadena, California. 26 May 1982 |
2 | 45 | ||
|
Kawai, Nobu. Pasadena, California. 26 May 1982 |
2 | 46 | ||
|
King, Frank Toshiyuke. Los Angeles, California. 1 June 1982 |
2 | 47 | ||
|
King, Frank Toshiyuke. Los Angeles, California. 1 June 1982 |
2 | 48 | ||
|
King, Frank Toshiyuke. Los Angeles, California. 1 June 1982 |
2 | 49 | ||
|
Kitasako, John.* [3 October 1982] |
2 | 50 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. Los Angeles, California. 17 August 1984 |
2 | 51 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. Undated |
2 | 52 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. Undated |
2 | 52 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. Undated |
2 | 53 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits, "Nakadate Hearing." [Los Angeles, California.] 18 August 1984 |
2 | 54 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits, "Nakadate Hearing." [Los Angeles, California.] 18 August 1984 |
2 | 55 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. [Los Angeles, California.] 18 August 1984 |
2 | 56 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. 18 August 1984; Los Angeles, California. 19 August 1984 |
2 | 57 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. [Los Angeles, California.] 19 August 1984 |
2 | 58 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. [Los Angeles, California.] 19 August 1984 |
2 | 59 | ||
|
Koshiyama, Mits. [Los Angeles, California.] 19 August 1984 |
2 | 60 | ||
|
Kubota; Hirabayashi; with Kubota, Gloria; Kubota, Grace Ybarra; Ybarra; Sakai, Kozie; Nozawa, George; Wada, Patty. Toraiya Restaurant, San Francisco, California 5 June 1983 |
2 | 61 | ||
|
Kubota; Hirabayashi; with Kubota, Gloria; Kubota, Grace Ybarra; Ybarra; Sakai, Kozie; Nozawa, George; Wada, Patty. Toraiya Restaurant, San Francisco, California 5 June 1983 |
2 | 62 | ||
|
Kubota; Hirabayashi. Toraiya Restaurant, San Francisco, California 5 June 1983 |
2 | 63 | ||
|
Kubota, Grace Ybarra; with Inada, Lawson; Sakai, Kozie; Nozawa, George; Emi, Frank. San Jose, California. 24 April 1983 |
2 | 64 | ||
|
Kubota, Grace Ybarra; Kubota, Gloria; with Inada, Lawson; Sakai, Kozie; Nozawa, George; Emi, Frank. [San Jose, California.] Undated |
2 | 65 | ||
|
Kubota, Grace Ybarra; Kubota, Gloria; with Inada, Lawson; Nozawa, George; Sakai, Kozie; Emi, Frank. San Jose, California. 24 April 1983 |
2 | 66 | ||
|
Kunitsugu, Kats.Los Angeles, California. 6 November 1982 |
2 | 67 | ||
|
Kunitsugu, Kats. Undated |
2 | 68 | ||
|
Kuroki, Ben.* 27 May 1982 |
3 | 69 | ||
|
Kuromiya, Yoshito. 11 January 1983 |
3 | 70 | ||
|
Kuromiya, Yoshito. Los Angeles, California. 11 January 1983 |
3 | 71 | ||
|
Masaoka, Mike; Tateshi; Yasui. Airport Hyatt, Los Angeles, California. 10 August 1982. |
3 | 72 | ||
|
Masaoka, Mike. Airport Hyatt, Los Angeles, California. 10 August 1982 |
3 | 73 | ||
|
Masuda, Thomas Shinao. 26 October 1981 |
3 | 74 | ||
|
Mihara, Genji. Seattle, Washington. 11 November 1978 |
3 | 75 | ||
|
Mihara, Genji. Seattle, Washington. 11 November 1978 |
3 | 76 | ||
|
Miyamoto, Kazuo. Honolulu, Hawaii. 1 November 1979 |
3 | 77 | ||
|
Miyamoto, Kazuo. [Honolulu, Hawaii.]* 1 November 1979 |
3 | 78 | ||
|
Morita, Ichiro.* 24 April/May (?) 1983 |
3 | 79 | ||
|
Mrs. Motoda. Seattle, Washington. 15 December 1978 |
3 | 80 | ||
|
Mrs. Motoda. Seattle, Washington. 12 December 1978 |
3 | 81 | ||
|
Mrs. Motoda. 14 July 1979 |
3 | 82 | ||
|
Mrs. Motoda. 14 July 1979 |
3 | 83 | ||
|
Nozawa, George. 24 April 1983 |
3 | 84 | ||
|
Omura, James. [Los Angeles, California.] 14, 15 May 1982 |
3 | 85 | ||
|
Omura, James. Los Angeles, California. 14 May 1982 |
3 | 86 | ||
|
Omura, James. Los Angeles, California. 15 May 1982 |
3 | 87 | ||
|
Omura, James. Los Angeles, California. 15 May 1982 |
3 | 88 | ||
|
Omura, James. [Los Angeles, California.] 15 May 1982. |
3 | 89 | ||
|
Omura, James. [Los Angeles, California.] 18 May 1982 |
3 | 90 | ||
|
Omura, James. [Los Angeles, California.] 18 May 1982 |
3 | 91 | ||
|
Omura, James. [Los Angeles, California.] 18 May 1982 |
3 | 92 | ||
|
Omura, James. Los Angeles, California. 26 May 1982 |
3 | 93 | ||
|
Omura, James on Hosokawa's "JACL: In Quest of Justice" (#1). [Los Angeles, California.] 25 May 1982 |
3 | 94 | ||
|
Omura, James on Hosokawa's "JACL: In Quest of Justice" (#2). [Los Angeles, California.] 25 May 1982 |
3 | 95 | ||
|
Omura, James on Hosokawa's "JACL: In Quest of Justice" (#3). [Los Angeles, California.] 25 May 1982 |
3 | 96 | ||
|
Omura, James on Masaoka's "Final Report" (#1). Los Angeles, California. 30/31 (?) May 1982 |
3 | 97 | ||
|
Omura, James on Masaoka's "Final Report" (#2). Los Angeles, California. 31 May 1982 |
3 | 98 | ||
|
Omura, James; Emi, Frank. 18, 20 May 1982 |
3 | 99 | ||
|
Ozawa, Shig. January 1978 |
3 | 100 | ||
|
Ozawa, Shig. January 1978 |
3 | 101 | ||
|
Ozawa, Shig. Undated |
3 | 102 | ||
|
Osawa (Ozawa?), Shig. Undated |
4 | 103 | ||
|
Osawa, Shig. Undated |
4 | 104 | ||
|
Osawa, Shig. Undated |
4 | 105 | ||
|
Osawa, Shig. Baseball camp. 12 August 1978 |
4 | 106 | ||
|
Osawa, Shig. [Baseball camp.] 12 August 1978 |
4 | 107 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke; Ishu, David on Matilda Gibson, Pomoroy, "Uncle Ed"-- Books, Furuya. Seattle, Washington. 5 August 1978, 12 November 1978 |
4 | 108 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke. [Seattle, Washington.] 5 May 1978 |
4 | 109 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke. Early life, Po |
4 | 110 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke. Diaries--For Day of Rom (?), Pictures in Aldam (?), Pomoroy. Seattle, Washington. 12 November 1978 |
4 | 111 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke. 4 September 1982 |
4 | 112 | ||
|
Sasaki, Shosuke. 4 September 1982 |
4 | 113 | ||
|
Sasaki; Miyatake. 5 August 1978 |
4 | 114 | ||
|
Sasaki; Miyatake. Undated |
4 | 115 | ||
|
Shimo, Cedric Masaki; Omura, James. Los Angeles, California. 17 September 1985 |
4 | 116 | ||
|
Shimo, Cedric.[Los Angeles, California.] 17 (7?) September 1985 |
4 | 117 | ||
|
Shimomura, Toku. Undated |
4 | 118 | ||
|
Shiozaki, Ron. 20 January 1986 |
4 | 119 | ||
|
Somekawa; Miyatake; Omura, James. 6, 10 September 1981 |
4 | 120 | ||
|
Sugita, Kaoru (Emi); Sugita, Tee; Emi, Frank; Emi, Alice. Los Angeles, California. 29 May 1982 |
4 | 121 | ||
|
Sugita, Kaoru (Emi); Emi, Alice; Emi, Frank. [Los Angeles, California.] 29 May 1982 |
4 | 122 | ||
|
Sugita, Kaoru (Emi); Emi, Frank. Los Angeles, California. 29 May 1982 |
4 | 123 | ||
|
Tada, Fred; Cena (?), Frank; (last name?),Gary. Los Angeles, California. Undated |
4 | 124 | ||
|
Tamesa, Uhachi; Tamesa, Kay. Seattle, Washington. 4 September 1982 |
4 | 125 | ||
|
Tamesa, Uhachi; Tamesa, Kay. Seattle, Washington. 4 September 1982 |
4 | 126 | ||
|
Tamesa, Uhachi. Undated |
4 | 127 | ||
|
Tanaka, Togo.* 22, 27 April 1977 |
4 | 128 | ||
|
Tani. Undated |
4 | 129 | ||
|
Tokuda, George. Seattle, Washington. 9 November 1978 |
4 | 130 | ||
|
Tokuda, George; Tokuda, Toma. Seattle, Washington. 9 November 1978 |
4 | 131 | ||
|
Tokuda, George; Tokuda, Toma. [Seattle, Washington.] 9 November 1978 |
4 | 132 | ||
|
Tomita, Mas; Tomita, Yoshio. 13 December 1978 |
4 | 133 | ||
|
Tomita, Mas; Tomita, Yoshio. Undated |
4 | 134 | ||
|
Tono, Jack; Yasutake (?), Mike. Chicago, Illinois. 27 October 1981 |
4 | 135 | ||
|
Tono, Jack; Yasutake, Mike. Chicago, Illinois. 27 October 1981 |
4 | 136 | ||
|
Tono, Jack; Yasutake, Mike. Chicago, Illinois. 27 October 1981 |
5 | 137 | ||
|
Tono, Jack. Silver Lake, California (?). 1 April 1982 (?) |
5 | 138 | ||
|
Townsend (Townsond?), George; Sasaki, Shosuke; Miyatake, Henry. Sequim, Washington. 12 November 1978 |
5 | 139 | ||
|
Townsend, George. Sequim, Washington. 12 November 1978 |
5 | 140 | ||
|
Townsend, George. Sequim, Washington. 12 November 1978 |
5 | 141 | ||
|
Townsend, George. Sequim, Washington. 12 November 1978 |
5 | 142 | ||
|
Uno, Shigeko. Seattle, Washington. 26 October 1978 |
5 | 143 | ||
|
Uno, Shigeko; Nogaki, Ken. Seattle, Washington. 25 October 1978 |
5 | 144 | ||
|
Uomo (?), Harry. Undated |
5 | 145 | ||
|
Uyeda, Masato; Nakano (?), Ken. Bio--Immigration; Wyoming Mines; Railroad (?). Seattle, Washington. 31 October 1978 |
5 | 146 | ||
|
Uyeda, Masato. Seattle, Washington. 31 October 1978 |
5 | 147 | ||
|
Uyeda, Masato. Seattle, Washington. 31 October 1978 |
5 | 148 | ||
|
Yamaguchi, Jack. Seattle, Washington. Undated. [8 November 1978] |
5 | 149 | ||
|
Yamaguchi, Jack. Yamaguchi, Dorothy. Seattle, Washington. 8 November 1978 |
5 | 150 | ||
|
Yamakido, Joe. Monterey Park, California. 14 November 1982 |
5 | 151 | ||
|
Yamakido, Joe. Monterey Park, California. 14 November 1982 |
5 | 152 | ||
|
Yamakido, Joe. Monterey Park, California.* 14 November 1982 |
5 | 153 | ||
|
Yashima, Taro. 13 October 1980 |
5 | 154 | ||
|
Yashima, Taro. 13 October 1980 |
5 | 155 | ||
|
Minority Report: Frank Abe, KIRO NEWSRADIO 71 California redress bill, with Janet Masuda and "Desert Exile," by Yoshiko Uchida. Undated |
5 | 156 | ||
|
|
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Series 2: Transcripts |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Date, Don. 5 pp. (Tape 6) |
6 | 157 | ||
|
Date, Don. 34 pp. (Tape 6) |
6 | 158 | ||
|
Date, Don. 15 pp. (Tape 7) |
6 | 159 | ||
|
Hirabayashi, Gordon. 58 pp. (Tape 35) |
6 | 160 | ||
|
Hirabayashi, Gordon. 24 pp. (Tape 36); 29 pp. (Tape 37); Hirabayashi, Gordon; Hirabayashi, James. 24 pp. (Tape 38) |
6 | 161 | ||
|
Hosokawa, Bill. 17 pp. (Tape 39) |
6 | 162 | ||
|
Ino, Toru. 29 pp. (No tape) |
6 | 163 | ||
|
Kitasako, John. 31 pp. (No tape) |
6 | 164 | ||
|
Kitasako, John. 17 pp. (Tape 50) |
6 | 165 | ||
|
Kuroki, Ben. 56 pp. (Tape 69) |
6 | 166 | ||
|
Miyamoto, Kazuo. 18 pp. (Tape 78) |
6 | 167 | ||
|
Morita, Ichiro. 9 pp. (Tape 79) |
6 | 168 | ||
|
Morita, Ichiro. 46 pp. (Tape 79) |
6 | 169 | ||
|
Ramos, Amelita. 16 pp. (No tape) |
6 | 170 | ||
|
Tanaka, Togo. 32 pp. (Tape 128) |
6 | 171 | ||
|
Yamakido, Joe. 13 pp. (Tape 153) |
6 | 172 | ||
|
|
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Series 3: Reference Material |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Frank Chin Collection notes and materials. |
6 | 173 | ||
|
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