Reading text from the late 19th century onwards, I've noticed that there's always been a fascination with Japanese culture, 60s onwards is more obvious with their technology and pop culture.

I read about how Hitler had an interest in Japanese culture in his youth, Sui Sin Far's fiance told her to pretend to be Japanese (she was Chinese) to save face, Lafcadio Hearn married a Japanese women and got citizenship, John Lennon, etc, of course, you could say these are self-validating observations.