Dolls of Diplomacy: A Story of Japan-US Friendship Through Children's Eyes

The beginning of the movie "Barbie" is a homage to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the scene Barbie is seen as bringing liberation to young girls by giving them a toy with which they imagine themselves doing anything they could imagine, in comparison to baby dolls which only allowed girls to imagine motherhood. Once the Barbies are introduced, the baby dolls are smashed to bits by the young girls, signifying that they were never going back to the old way. It was a well made statement about the social impact of children's playthings. In the history of US-Japanese relations, dolls also played a large symbolic role, which was not successful at the time it was undertaken, but paved the way to the positive relations that Japan and the United States share today.

In the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War, Japan emerged with newfound rights and interests in Manchuria, marking a significant turn in its international relations, particularly with the United States. At the conclusion of the Meiji era, Japan's expansionist goals in China clashed with those of the United States, causing political tensions to rise. There were also worries about the effect on the American workforce of the large number of Japanese immigrants who were prepared to work for low wages even when the economy was in a slump. The California Alien property Law of 1913, which barred non-citizens, mostly Japanese immigrants, from owning property, was enacted at a period when racial biases were strongly ingrained in American culture. A schism was further widened and anti-American feeling was stoked in Japan when the Johnson-Reed Act, sometimes called the Anti-Japanese Immigration Act, was passed in 1924.

Amid these rising tensions, American missionary Dr. Sidney Gulick worked to unite people of different cultures by encouraging mutual understanding and friendship, particularly among the youth of the world. As a result of his conviction that "World peace begins with children," he founded the World Children's Friendship Association in 1927. Eiichi Shibusawa, a major player in Japan's contemporary corporate scene, connected with Gulick's campaign because he was worried about the worsening ties between Japan and the United States. (See also: "Now and Yen Part 3: Shibusawa Eiichi") The two groups' joint effort to facilitate the trading of friendship dolls between youngsters from the two countries was a powerful symbol of their desire for peace and understanding. This initiative, while seen by some as naive, was grounded in the belief that children's hearts are devoid of prejudice, filled instead with innate friendliness. Volunteers from a variety of American communities, including after-school programs and social clubs, sewed clothing for dolls that would be delivered to Japan as part of the initiative. As a result of this massive mobilization, 12,739 "blue-eyed dolls" were collected and sent to Japan via various shipping firms and boats. The dolls were officially welcomed by a children's delegation at Yokohama port, March 18th, 1927.

These dolls were more than simply playthings; they represented a deep call to unity and camaraderie. Everyone in Japan was so excited to see them when they arrived that they held elaborate rituals to welcome them and put them on display in museums. Japan joyfully returned the favor by sending "return dolls" to the US, further strengthening the friendship ties formed by the exchange. The impact of youth-led peacebuilding initiatives and cultural diplomacy was demonstrated by the "blue-eyed dolls" program. It may not have resolved the pressing problems of immigration and political conflicts at the time, but it did pave the way for post-war cultural understanding and interactions. As a result of being seen as emblems of the enemy, many of these dolls were either destroyed or stashed away when World War II broke out. But the fact that some of these dolls have made it this far is a moving testimony to the resilience of the American-Japanese friendship and the perseverance of the peace treaty. Dr. Gulick's dream, brought to life with the support of Shibusawa and innumerable children and their families, highlights the significance of cross-cultural and intergenerational dialogue in eradicating prejudice and establishing enduring peace. An important part of Japan-US relations history, the "blue-eyed dolls" initiative showed how understanding and compassion can overcome enormous differences via a little but meaningful act of kindness.