During World War II, the United States was at war with Germany, Italy, and Japan. The treatment of these three groups differed in a number of ways. In terms of military tactics, the United States employed a policy of unconditional surrender for all three countries, but the nature of the surrender terms was different. For Germany and Italy, the terms included occupation of the countries by allied forces and the dismantling of their military forces. For Japan, the surrender terms included occupation of the country by the United States, the implementation of a new form of government, and the removal of military forces.
In terms of civilian populations, the United States imposed a much harsher policy on Japan than on Germany and Italy. After the surrender of Japan, the United States enacted a policy of internment of Japanese-Americans, which involved the relocation and confinement of persons of Japanese ancestry in special camps. No such policy was enacted against Germany or Italy, though some Italian-Americans were subjected to suspicion and prejudice.