Paper short abstract:

This paper explores a brief history of doll diplomacy as a unique way of cultural exchanges between Japan and the US (e.g., children's doll exchanges through the Junior Red Cross) and after that focuses on the 1935 Goodwill Mission of American Dolls as an example of involvement of politicians.

Paper long abstract:

Doll diplomacy as a unique way of international cultural exchanges emerged in the first half of the 20th century. The US and Japan were the most active participants and many dolls were sent by the two countries to each other with the aim to improve mutual understanding and to deepen sympathetic feelings of the citizens of the two countries. This paper focuses on the interwar years (1919-1938) as the period when the US-Japan's doll exchanges were conducted most actively.

Firstly, the paper introduces a brief history of doll exchanges between the two countries in 1920s - e.g., Christmas presents exchanges between Sunday School, the Junior Red Cross activities and the 1927 US-Japan Friendship Doll Exchange - the period when children played an active role in doll diplomacy and the desired outcome of exchanges was educational rather than political.

Secondly, the paper explores doll diplomacy in the 1930s, when adults became active participants of doll exchanges and the political outcome became more important than educational values of exchanges. Special attention will be paid to the 1935 Goodwill Mission of American Dolls as a good example of involvement of politicians and officials of the two countries.