In 1902, the Houston Chamber of Commerce requested help from Japanese Consul General Sadatsuchi Uchida in improving Texas rice production techniques.
[1] At least thirty attempts were made by Japanese to grow rice in the state at this time, with two of the most successful colonies being one founded by Seito Saibara in 1903 in Webster, and another by Kichimatsu Kishi in 1907 east of Beaumont.
Although conditions were better than some other states, Japanese families attempting to move to Texas were turned away by a hostile mob in 1921, and the Texas legislature, following the precedent set by the California Alien Land Law of 1913, passed its own law restricting Japanese ownership of land.
[2] During World War II, camps used for the internment of Japanese Americans in Texas included the Crystal City Internment Camp, the Kenedy Allen Detention Camp at Kenedy, Texas, the Federal Reformatory for Women in Seagoville, Fort Bliss in El Paso, and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
[citation needed] The University of Texas at Austin offered classes to some internees.