The imitation game? Japanese attitudes towards jews in modern times

Rotem Kowner provides a concise overview of the development of Japanese attitudes towards Jews. Despite the virtual absence of any historical or religious roots for conflict, soon after the onset of its modernisation, Japan witnessed the emergence of relatively benign antisemitic and philosemitic views, which, by the 1920s, had led to increased polarisation. During what is known as the Fifteen Year War (1931-45), these attitudes turned into an orchestrated antisemitic campaign, culminating in concrete segregation policies being applied to the Jews living within the borders of the Japanese wartime empire. With Japan’s defeat in 1945, interest in Jews declined drastically. The late 1980s, however, saw a renewed fascination with Jews and their alleged impact on Japan.