00:00
00:00
00:00
00:00
Among the many organizations formed by Japanese immigrants, the Japanese Associations play a central role. These Associations are more than just fellowships that organize gatherings such as picnics and athletic meets. For example, after the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 was signed in the United States, the local Japanese Associations were entrusted by Japan’s consulates with the task of issuing important documents such as immigration certificates. These Associations also organized celebrations for special festive days such as Japan’s National Foundation Day and the Emperor’s Birthday.
Japanese immigrants also formed a variety of other associations. These included prefectural associations and village associations for people from the same places of origin, shipmate associations for those who immigrated on the same ship, agricultural associations, and Chambers of Commerce. These were all based around commonalities such as birthplace or occupation, as well as on a shared sense of connection with the Japanese language and culture. These associations all played important roles in helping Japanese people to settle in the new countries to which they immigrated.
scroll