Figurines with the mark "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan" have grown in popularity and value in recent times, as this mark has become more desirable to collectors.  But how did occupied japan figurines come about?
I've heard three explanations for the marking of their products for export, all of which I'll discuss below:

Prior to the war, Japan excelled in the creation of porcelain, china, and ceramics.  Noritake products had been imported into the United States since 1910.  These goods were exported with markings such as "Nippon" or "Japan".  After its surrender in World War II, Japan retooled its factories from wartime production to the manufacture of goods for export.

Immediately after the war ended, though, the United States prohibited the export of goods from Japan.  One explanation that I have seen for the marking of objects was that the agreement between the United States and Japan allowing them to export goods, starting roughly in 1948, required that 50% of exports be marked "Occupied Japan" or "Made in Occupied Japan".

I've also heard this "rule" placed at the hands of a U.S. Customs ruling that goods from japan had to indicate the country of origin, allowing "Made in Occupied Japan," "Made in Japan," "Japan" or "Occupied Japan".

Another explanation for the markings is more economic and consumer oriented.  The hostility of consumers in the United States to Japan after the war led people to decline to purchase goods marked "Made in Japan".  The occupied japan mark assured consumers that their money wasn't going to the pre-war powers.

Although the occupation of Japan ended in 1952, the occupied japan marks were still used on some products until 1955.

What explains the heightened value of an occupied japan figurine vs. a similar figurine marked Japan?  Perhaps it is simply that the marking provides an approximate age to the figurine which other markings do not provide.  Or perhaps it is that the Occupied Japan mark celebrates a unique period in the history of Japan and provides fond memories to U.S. collectors about its victory in the Second World War.  Or perhaps it is the fascination of the U.S. population which saw a flood of affordable figurines with those markings in the 1950s, as some members of the current adult population were growing up, and they are now giving a premium to items in their childhood memories.

Whatever the reason, the popularity of occupied japan figurines seems likely to stay, and we're happy to provide you access to some of those figurines for sale here.

Photo of some occupied japan figurines by Cambodia4Kidsorg on Flickr.

For more information about figurines made in occupied japan, there are a number of resource books and price guides available with photos of typical products exported to the United States and marks.  These books about occupied japan collectibles can be found here on Amazon.com for those interested.