Chapter VII, The Japanese Summary and Analysis

The Japanese have suffered greatly despite a great interest in becoming part of American society. Americans lump them with the Chinese but they are strikingly different. Japanese people begin to come to the United States in the late 19th century from the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868. It is for most of history, a deeply isolated nation. When they open up, they become obsessed with the West. The Japanese look to the United States as a great benefactor.

The Japanese often have ambivalence attitudes towards Americans, some seeing them as superiors others as inferiors. Much of the Meiji Era is devoted to taking feudalism apart and modernizing. Japanese population explodes 30% in a single generation. Standards of living rise quickly. Many Japanese look to other countries for a home. They often emigrate via family ties...