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Mokichi and Rise Kitagawa came to Canada in 1918, settling in Summerland before coming to Langley in 1930. They purchased 160 acres of land; 15 acres of this was cleared and was used for growing fruits and vegetables. Like many, they were without running water, a telephone, or electricity. They celebrated Christmas, attended the Buddhist temple in New Westminster on special occasions, and got along well with their neighbours. The family grew to include six children, two sons, Eichi and Shigeri, and four daughters, Toshiko, Yoshiko, Sumiye, and Akiko. In 1942, the Kitagawas were not split up by the internment like many other families, but were sent to the sugar beet fields of Alberta. Like most Japanese families, the Kitagawas believed they would return to their home soon. It is believed that many belongings were locked in a shed to protect them from theft. The Custodian of Enemy Alien Property took the Kitagawa's property anyway. An Order in Council was issued on March 27, 1942 that allowed for the liquidation of Japanese property. Property was sold for much less than its worth.

After the war, the Kitagawa family returned to Langley to see the property that was taken from them, but like many Japanese-Canadian families, never resettled in the Fraser Valley.

Rise Kobayashi was born on October 24, 1895, in Kawaze, Shigaken, Japan, to parents Risaburo and Tane (Ito) Kobayashi. She came to Canada in June 1918 after marrying Mokichi Kitagawa. The couple settled in Summerland at first, before settling on 160 acres in Langley in 1930. 15 acres was cleared, but the rest was uncleared. On the cleared acreage, the family grew vegetables and fruit, and had two greenhouses, 2 houses, a barn, and other small buildings on the property. The couple had two sons: Eichi (1919-1986) and Shigeru (1939-), and four daughters: Toshiko (1923-), Yoshiko (1923-), Sumiye (1926-), and Akiko (1929-). In 1942, when the Japanese were to be interned, the Kitagawas were not split up, but sent to Alberta to work in the sugar beet fields. Able to only take 150 lbs. of possessions each, the Kitagawa's were forced to leave everything behind in the hands of the Custodian of Enemy Alien Property. An Order in Council was issued on March 27, 1942 that allowed for the liquidation of Japanese property. Property was sold for much less than its worth. After the war, the Kitagawa family returned to Langley to see the property that was taken from them, but like many Japanese-Canadian families, never resettled in the Fraser Valley.