On Januthe Asia-Pacific war was seen as an opportunity to get rid of the “Japanese Problem”. Japanese Canadian soldiers, World War One 10th Battalion. They were the only Japanese Canadians allowed to vote. In 1931 Japanese Canadian veterans who fought for Canada in World War I received the right to vote. In 1908, with agreement from Japan, the government of Canada limited the number of male immigrants to 400 per year. This hostility towards Asians was an indication of the racism that the Japanese would face throughout the early period of history in Canada.To discourage Asians from settling and remaining in BC, the government passed laws discriminating against non-whites. However, the stores and businesses were heavily damaged. Pre-warned, the Japanese were ready for the onslaught and fought back, forcing the crowd to retreat. The mob then moved towards Powell Street, the home of the Japanese community. Anti-Asian sentiment grew within the white community, and on Septema large angry mob marched on Chinatown shattering windows, breaking into stores and frightening the residents. His request was denied and so he appealed to the courts.Unable to enter the professions, most found employment in logging and lumbering, mining and fishing, while others started businesses. In 1900, Tomekichi Homma, a naturalized Canadian citizen, applied to have his name placed on the voter’s list. From left: Tomekichi Homma, Damage to Japanese Store During 1907 Anti-Asiatic Riots (top, JCCC 2001.4.2) loggers (bottom), family portrait. Denial of the franchise prevented Japanese Canadians from the right to vote, from participating in professions, and holding public office. Only a few were well educated and from the aristocratic class. Most immigrants were farmers and fishermen some were business people. By 1907 the Japanese population rose to over 18,000. Between 19, Canada saw the largest influx of immigrants. As early as 1885 the Canadian government attempted to discourage Chinese immigration by applying a Head Tax, but such restrictions did not apply to the Japanese. These “picture brides” began arriving in 1908 and at their peak in 1913 some 300 to 400 came to Canada. Through the exchange of photographs and letters, single men arranged for brides from Japan. By 1901 nearly 5000 Japanese were living in Canada. Waves of immigrants followed, young men in particular, to seek adventure, wealth and, in some cases, independence from family obligations. Clockwise from left: Manazo Nagano (centre), Yo Oya, the first woman to immigrate to Canada (1887) and the mother of Katsuji Oya (below, centre), the first nisei. The first known Japanese to settle in Canada was Manzo Nagano in 1877, although there were reported cases of Japanese fishermen shipwrecked along the coast of British Columbia prior to that date. During the Meiji era Japanese society became more liberal, allowing young Japanese to venture to other countries.
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