Early 20th century Anti-Japanese sentiment in the United States

young china club warning american visitors against buying japanese goods in san francisco s chinatown circa 1940

anti-japanese racism , yellow peril in california had become increasingly xenophobic after japanese victory on russian empire in russo-japanese war. on october 11, 1906, san francisco, california board of education had passed regulation whereby children of japanese descent required attend racially segregated separate schools. @ time, japanese immigrants made approximately 1% of population of california; many of them had come under treaty in 1894 had assured free immigration japan.

the japanese invasion of china in 1931 , annexation of manchuria roundly criticized in us. in addition, efforts citizens outraged @ japanese atrocities, such nanking massacre, led calls american economic intervention encourage japan leave china; these calls played role in shaping american foreign policy. more , more unfavorable reports of japanese actions came attention of american government, embargoes on oil , other supplies placed on japan, out of concern chinese populace , american interests in pacific. furthermore, european american population became pro-china , anti-japan, example being grass-roots campaign women stop buying silk stockings, because material procured japan through colonies. european traders sought access chinese markets , resources.

when second sino-japanese war broke out in 1937, western public opinion decidedly pro-china, eyewitness reports western journalists on atrocities committed against chinese civilians further strengthening anti-japanese sentiments. african american sentiments quite different mainstream, organizations pacific movement of eastern world (pmew) promised equality , land distribution under japanese rule. pmew had thousands of members preparing liberation white supremacy arrival of japanese imperial army.