Difference between revisions of "The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region (1997 book)"

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'''The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region: A Brief History'''. This book by Sandy Lydon was published in 1997 by Capitola Book Company. Important points:
 
'''The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region: A Brief History'''. This book by Sandy Lydon was published in 1997 by Capitola Book Company. Important points:
−
*This is, by necessity, a regional history. Looking at the Japanese (or any other immigrant group) only in Santa Cruz County would present an inaccurate picture.
+
* This is, by necessity, a regional history. Looking at the Japanese (or any other immigrant group) only in Santa Cruz County would present an inaccurate picture.
−
*Immigration from Japan began in the 1880s, 30+ years after the first Chinese immigrants.
+
* Immigration from Japan began after 1887, 35+ years after the first Chinese immigrants.
−
*Japanese immigration began when Japan ended its ban on emigration in 1887. Demand for Asian immigrant labor in our region grew because of the 1882 cutoff of Chinese immigration by the US. Japanese immigrants initially moved into the same roles previously filled by Chinese immigrants as the supply of Chinese laborers stopped.
 
−
*Japanese immigration to the U.S. was halted in 1924, and Japanese immigrants were ineligible for citizenship until 1952.
 
−
*Population of Japanese-ancestry residents in the Monterey Bay region peaked in 1930 at 4.6% of the total. The Chinese immigrant population had peaked at about 6% of the regional total in 1890, but the total population was much larger by 1930, so the ''number'' of Japanese was possibly larger. In the 1900 census, the numbers of Japanese and Chinese immigrants living in the Monterey Bay area was about equal.
 
 
* Chapter 1 compares/contrasts the Chinese and Japanese immigrants:
 
* Chapter 1 compares/contrasts the Chinese and Japanese immigrants:
 
** Chinese culture emphasized an adult male's loyalty to the entire extended family, whereas a Japanese man's primary loyalty was to his own immediate family, and/or to a family-like enterprise or organization.
 
** Chinese culture emphasized an adult male's loyalty to the entire extended family, whereas a Japanese man's primary loyalty was to his own immediate family, and/or to a family-like enterprise or organization.
 +
** Most Chinese immigrants were young males who were intended to bring their families over as soon as they earned enough money to pay for their passage, but few were able to do so before the 1882 cutoff. 
 +
** Japanese immigrants initially moved into the same roles previously filled by Chinese immigrants as the supply of Chinese laborers stopped after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Exclusion_Act Chinese Exclusion Act] of 1882.
 
** Japanese immigrants strove to adopt American language, clothing, behavior and customs; Chinese were more insular, preferring to remain separate and distinct from Americans.
 
** Japanese immigrants strove to adopt American language, clothing, behavior and customs; Chinese were more insular, preferring to remain separate and distinct from Americans.
 
** Japanese immigrant entrepreneurs were willing to partner with non-Japanese in business ventures.
 
** Japanese immigrant entrepreneurs were willing to partner with non-Japanese in business ventures.
 +
** Despite attempts to assimilate, Japanese immigrants fell victim to the same xenophobic restrictions on citizenship and immigration that limited the Chinese-American population.
 +
*Chapters 2 & 3 talk about conditions and events in Japan during the late 1800s and up to 1907:
 +
**Japanese immigration began when Japan ended its ban on emigration in 1887. Demand for an alternative source of Asian immigrant labor in our region had been growing because the 1882 law stopped immigration from China.
 
** The Japanese government offered more support for emigrants than China did, and took more responsibility for their good behavior. One example of the latter was a successful effort by the Japanese government to crack down on dishonest Japanese labor contractors in the US.
 
** The Japanese government offered more support for emigrants than China did, and took more responsibility for their good behavior. One example of the latter was a successful effort by the Japanese government to crack down on dishonest Japanese labor contractors in the US.
−
** Despite attempts to assimilate, Japanese immigrants fell victim to the same xenophobic restrictions on citizenship and immigration that limited the Chinese-American population.   
+
** Japan was also willing and able to negotiate with the US government in efforts to combat anti-japanese sentiments.
 +
** In 1904(?), Japan stopped issuing emigration visas to the US for laborers, but still allowed emigration by the families of those already in the US. Students and professionals also remained eligible. That made possible a sizable population of US-born children of immigrant parents - the ''nisei''.
 +
* Later developments:
 +
** Japanese immigration was halted completely by the US government in 1924, and Japanese immigrants were ineligible for citizenship until 1952.
 +
** The population of Japanese-ancestry residents in the Monterey Bay region peaked in 1930 at 4.6% of the total. The Chinese immigrant population had peaked at about 6% of the regional total in 1890.   
 +
 
  
 
[[Category:Publications]]
 
[[Category:Publications]]
 
[[Category:Lydon, Sandy]]
 
[[Category:Lydon, Sandy]]
 
[[Category:other foreign-born]]
 
[[Category:other foreign-born]]

Revision as of 01:58, 29 February 2024

The Japanese in the Monterey Bay Region: A Brief History. This book by Sandy Lydon was published in 1997 by Capitola Book Company. Important points:

  • This is, by necessity, a regional history. Looking at the Japanese (or any other immigrant group) only in Santa Cruz County would present an inaccurate picture.
  • Immigration from Japan began after 1887, 35+ years after the first Chinese immigrants.
  • Chapter 1 compares/contrasts the Chinese and Japanese immigrants:
    • Chinese culture emphasized an adult male's loyalty to the entire extended family, whereas a Japanese man's primary loyalty was to his own immediate family, and/or to a family-like enterprise or organization.
    • Most Chinese immigrants were young males who were intended to bring their families over as soon as they earned enough money to pay for their passage, but few were able to do so before the 1882 cutoff.
    • Japanese immigrants initially moved into the same roles previously filled by Chinese immigrants as the supply of Chinese laborers stopped after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
    • Japanese immigrants strove to adopt American language, clothing, behavior and customs; Chinese were more insular, preferring to remain separate and distinct from Americans.
    • Japanese immigrant entrepreneurs were willing to partner with non-Japanese in business ventures.
    • Despite attempts to assimilate, Japanese immigrants fell victim to the same xenophobic restrictions on citizenship and immigration that limited the Chinese-American population.
  • Chapters 2 & 3 talk about conditions and events in Japan during the late 1800s and up to 1907:
    • Japanese immigration began when Japan ended its ban on emigration in 1887. Demand for an alternative source of Asian immigrant labor in our region had been growing because the 1882 law stopped immigration from China.
    • The Japanese government offered more support for emigrants than China did, and took more responsibility for their good behavior. One example of the latter was a successful effort by the Japanese government to crack down on dishonest Japanese labor contractors in the US.
    • Japan was also willing and able to negotiate with the US government in efforts to combat anti-japanese sentiments.
    • In 1904(?), Japan stopped issuing emigration visas to the US for laborers, but still allowed emigration by the families of those already in the US. Students and professionals also remained eligible. That made possible a sizable population of US-born children of immigrant parents - the nisei.
  • Later developments:
    • Japanese immigration was halted completely by the US government in 1924, and Japanese immigrants were ineligible for citizenship until 1952.
    • The population of Japanese-ancestry residents in the Monterey Bay region peaked in 1930 at 4.6% of the total. The Chinese immigrant population had peaked at about 6% of the regional total in 1890.
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