MANAGEMENT OF ENEMY ASSETS AND FOREIGN-OWNED LAND IN FORMER RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN KOBE DURING WORLD WAR II

This study examined how land owned by the British and other wartime enemies of Japan was treated during World War II, with a focus on the area of Kitano-cho and Yamamoto-dori 1-chome to 3-chome. Such foreign-owned land became management property, immediately following Japan’s entry into the war. However, holders of Japanese citizenship, including naturalized citizens, were able to escape the official property prohibition. In addition, the Japanese government treated India differently from Britain and removed Indians from its list of enemies. As a result, land acquisition by former British citizens who were recognized as Indians continued throughout the war.