Relations between Britain and Japan in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were very close, and a number of individual Japanese came and settled in Britain, especially during and immediately after the First World War when Japan's foreign exports and domestic production saw sudden growth. The Japanese who settled in Britain were often warmly welcomed, encountering little hostility from the host society, in contrast to some other ethnic minorities. Despite their presence, however, there has been little research into the Japanese as immigrants in Britain. This book, based on extensive original research, examines the pre-war Japanese community in Britain and its relationship to its British hosts. It explores the origins of the community, and compares the experience of the Japanese to that of other national groups. It considers the two strands in the Japanese community - the elite 'expatriates', who often resided in Britain on fixed-term tours of duty, and the 'independent' Japanese, many of whom were small businessmen and sailors. It discusses the community's involvement in the arts, religion and sport; intermarriage; and the second generation.
It concludes by considering the impact of deteriorating relations in the 1930s and of the Second World War, and by providing an overview of subsequent developments. It analyses the patterns of economic, social and cultural integration of individuals who remained in Britain as well as those who returned to Japan. This book, based on extensive original research, provides a broad analysis of the Japanese community, taking a close look at individual life stories. It will appeal to both academic and lay readers interested in Japanese studies, immigration history, community studies, and oral history.