Asakura v. City of Seattle

265 U.S. 332, 44 S.Ct. 515, 68 L.Ed. 1041 (1924)

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Asakura v. City of Seattle

United States Supreme Court
265 U.S. 332, 44 S.Ct. 515, 68 L.Ed. 1041 (1924)

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Facts

Asakura (plaintiff), a Japanese citizen, was a pawnbroker in Seattle. The city (defendant) adopted an ordinance requiring pawnbrokers to have licenses, and requiring that pawnbroker licensees be United States citizens. Asakura sued the city, seeking to enjoin enforcement of the ordinance. Asakura claimed that the ordinance violated a treaty between Japan and the United States that stated that the citizens of each country would have the right to work in a trade in the other country on the same terms as native citizens. The Superior Court of King County granted an injunction. The Washington Supreme Court reversed and upheld the ordinance. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Butler, J.)

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