Answer:
The American government's delay in apologizing and compensating Japanese Americans for their internment during World War II was due to a combination of factors. One was a lack of political will, as many officials felt that acknowledging the injustice would make the government vulnerable to lawsuits and compensation claims from other groups. Another factor was the Cold War climate, which prioritized national security and anti-communist sentiment over addressing past civil rights violations. Additionally, many Japanese Americans were reluctant to publicly speak out about their experiences for fear of being seen as unpatriotic or putting their families at risk. Over time, however, a growing movement of Japanese American activists and allies brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse and put pressure on the government to act. Finally, in 1988, President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, which formally apologized and provided reparations to surviving Japanese American internees.