the history of there immigration beginning in 1843 (Leathers, 6). Over the years, they have persevered through the trials and tribulations of discrimination and prejudice. The white community often discriminated them because of the misunderstanding of their language and culture. They overcame this obstacle, and became productive citizens of the United States of America.

The immigration of the Japanese into the United States was first recorded in 1843. Because of the strong currents and winds, sea traders and fishing fleets from many nations learned to exploit these winds and currents to travel from East Asia toward North America. Japanese seafarers were among this group. The first Japanese to come to the United States were accidental visitors- shipwreck survivors who were rescued by U.S. vessels. Over the next few decades, several such incidents occurred, but these incidents only involved a few sailors. Only a few remained to live in the United States permanently. By 1880 fewer than 150 Japanese lived in the U.S. (Leathers, 6-7).

This number stayed so low because it was illegal for most Japanese to emigrate from t

There were two major reasons for the sudden increase in Japanese immigration. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stopped the immigration from China to America. This was passed because of the concern over Chinese labor flooding the market and leaving few jobs for the Americans. However, a result of the act was labor shortage in the western part of our country. Thus, there was a demand for Japanese immigrants who were good farm laborers and who would work for low wages. Another factor which helped stimulate Japanese immigration was a law passed by the Japanese Government in 1896. This Emigrants Protections Law required that each departing worker have someone responsible for his financial support so that if he became ill, he would not suffer. This law intended to keep those who emigrated well taken care of (Leathers, 12). Because of the financial requirements many families could not afford to support an emigrant to the United States. As a result, emigration companies furnished the Japanese emigrant with the necessary financial assistance and guaranteed him a job in the U.S. (Leathers, 12).

In 1943, the military started accepting American born Japanese. Many Japanese Americans were eager to prove their loyalty by serving in the military. The Japanese-American soldiers received great public attention for their valor throughout the Pacific and Europe. Through the dedication and patriotism of the men who participated 442d, the view and attitudes towards the Japanese Americans was changing (Kitano,60-61).

Hostility against the Japanese surfaced in San Francisco. After the mayor Eugene E. Schmitz and his political boss, were charged with corruption in office, they tried to divert public attention by blaming the social problems on the Japanese. Hostility grew amongst the American public. In 1906, the San Francisco school board ruled that Japanese-American students could no longer go to school with students of European descent. All children of Japanese descent attended a separate "Oriental school" in Chinatown (www.askasia.org, 1).

Asian Society. Linking Past to Present: Asian Americans Then and Now.

In 1913, the California legislature passed the Alien Land Law of 1913. This law banned the purchase of farmland by anyone who was not eligible for citizenship. This targeted the Japanese immigrants. Although there were pleas from the president, he was unable to persuade the legislature passed the Alien Land Law (Leathers, 28).

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Approximate Word count = 1824
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)