In this paper, I argue that Japanese understandings of the Jewish people and culture often bear characteristics of both antisemitism and philosemitism—but cannot be clearly defined as one or the other—and can be traced to a past marred by the introduction of malicious sources from the West. Drawing on the work of Zygmunt Bauman, I introduce the concept of “allosemitism” to the conversation and use it to describe an understanding of the Jewish people and culture that leaves room for both fear and respect, for power and weakness, and for hatred and love—not unlike what is often seen in Japan. The lines are blurred there—sometimes beyond the point of recognition—and the ways in which historians define their terms and understand phenomena must change to reflect that. I conclude by analyzing a series of historical examples to illustrate my point, noting that even perceived acts of mercy or gratitude like the so-called “Fugu Plan” contained hints of antisemitic thought and rhetoric.

This paper is available upon request.