The Japanese economy was devastated when World War II ended. While the Americans occupied Japan, from 1945 to 1952, the Japanese needed to secure necessary hard currency. The Japanese pottery industry produced thousands of antique figurines and other antique knicknacks for export.

The variety of occupied Japan antiques products is endless�antique ashtrays, antique dinnerware, antique lamps, antique planters, antique sourvenir items, antique toys, and antique vases. Initially, the antique figurines attracted the largest number of collectors; today many collectors focus on all types of antique "occupied Japan" items.