Sadatsuchi Uchida
Encyclopedia
was Japan
's consul general to the United States
in the early 1900s. His reports back to Japan of the agricultural conditions in Southeast Texas would lead to the migration of key Japanese
businessmen that would have a positive impact upon the region.
In 1902, Uchida toured the Gulf Coast region of the United States, most likely looking for agricultural needs that Japanese businessmen could fulfill. At the time, overpopulation and the limited usable land for farming was affecting Japan. In the United States, rice farming was still in its infancy, and local rice farmers were not growing to full potential. Consul Uchida met with officials from the Texas Governor’s office, leaders from Houston
, and other business leaders who gave him confidence that the Japanese would be welcomed into the region. Uchida was impressed with the land of the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas
for its rice farming potential.
His reports back to Japan led to many immigrants who would travel to California
and Texas in search of agricultural work. Some of the better known of these immigrants were Seito Saibara
, who would establish a large colony near Webster
, and Kichimatsu Kishi
who would establish a colony in Orange County, Texas
. These two businessmen were well off in Japan, but decided to come to Texas with their families to work the land. These men and the people they brought with them had a positive impact upon the regions they settled in. This is partially credited to Sadatsuchi Uchida, whose positive outlook sparked the immigration of many, and this enhanced the agriculture of the southern United States as well as Texas.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's consul general to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the early 1900s. His reports back to Japan of the agricultural conditions in Southeast Texas would lead to the migration of key Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
businessmen that would have a positive impact upon the region.
In 1902, Uchida toured the Gulf Coast region of the United States, most likely looking for agricultural needs that Japanese businessmen could fulfill. At the time, overpopulation and the limited usable land for farming was affecting Japan. In the United States, rice farming was still in its infancy, and local rice farmers were not growing to full potential. Consul Uchida met with officials from the Texas Governor’s office, leaders from Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, and other business leaders who gave him confidence that the Japanese would be welcomed into the region. Uchida was impressed with the land of the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas
Southeast Texas is a subregion of East Texas located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The subregion is geographically centered around the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown and Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan areas...
for its rice farming potential.
His reports back to Japan led to many immigrants who would travel to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Texas in search of agricultural work. Some of the better known of these immigrants were Seito Saibara
Seito Saibara
was a Japanese parliament member, politician, administrator, colonist, and farmer. Apart from his missionary activities, he is credited with having first established the rice industry on the Gulf Coast of the United States.- Overview :...
, who would establish a large colony near Webster
Webster, Texas
Webster is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 9,083 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, and Kichimatsu Kishi
Kichimatsu Kishi
Kichimatsu Kishi was a Japanese immigrant to the United States who worked as a farmer and businessman. Along with fellow immigrants from Japan, his impact on rice farming in the southern United States would change the agricultural industry of the region. Kishi would establish an agricultural...
who would establish a colony in Orange County, Texas
Orange County, Texas
Orange County is one of 254 counties of the State of Texas and its county seat is the city of Orange, Texas. In the year 2000, the population of Orange County was about 85,000. Orange County is the county in the very southeastern corner of Texas, with a boundary with Louisiana and a seacoast on the...
. These two businessmen were well off in Japan, but decided to come to Texas with their families to work the land. These men and the people they brought with them had a positive impact upon the regions they settled in. This is partially credited to Sadatsuchi Uchida, whose positive outlook sparked the immigration of many, and this enhanced the agriculture of the southern United States as well as Texas.