Presentation Schedule
War Brides and Immigration: Contrasting Experiences of European and Japanese Women After World War II (106868)
Session Chair: Tomoko Furukawa
Wednesday, 17 June 2026 17:50
Session: Session 4
Room: Room 114 (1F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
This presentation examines the War Brides Acts enacted in the United States after World War II, focusing on the differing treatment of European and Japanese war brides. The War Brides Act of 1945 allowed foreign-born wives and children of U.S. servicemen to enter the country outside immigration quotas. For European war brides, particularly from Britain, France, and other Allied nations, the law was implemented relatively smoothly. They were generally regarded as culturally and racially compatible with American society and faced limited legal or social barriers. In contrast, Japanese war brides encountered far greater challenges. At the time, U.S. immigration law still included racially discriminatory policies excluding Asian immigrants. Although amendments in 1947 and later legislation eventually permitted Japanese spouses to immigrate, their entry came later and under stricter scrutiny. They were often viewed with suspicion due to wartime hostility, racial prejudice, and Cold War anxieties, and many experienced pressure to assimilate and social isolation after arrival. At the same time, this presentation also highlights how Japanese war brides gradually adapted to American society. With the support of "bride schools" and community networks, many acquired language skills and cultural knowledge, enabling them to integrate into U.S. society and build stable lives despite initial discrimination.
Authors:
Tomoko Tsuchiya, Japan Women's University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Tomoko Tsuchiya is currently an Associate Professor at Japan Women’s University in Tokyo, Japan.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
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