During World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. government forcibly relocated and interned around 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens. This action was based on fears of espionage and sabotage, despite a lack of evidence that Japanese Americans posed any threat. They were placed in internment camps, often in remote areas, where they lived under strict conditions. The internment lasted until 1945, and many families lost their homes, businesses, and personal belongings. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized and provided reparations to surviving internees, acknowledging the injustice of the internment policy.