The Nazis' outgroup was the almost-identical German Jews rather than the culturally distant Japanese.

Judge this historical claim on two points: the Nazis' principal targeted outgroup was the Jews, including assimilated German Jews who were culturally very similar to other Germans; and the Japanese, though culturally distant, were not treated as an outgroup (they were allies). True if mainstream history supports both points. Mostly true if both points hold broadly but the claim simplifies, for example by ignoring other targeted groups such as Slavs, Roma and others, or by overstating how identical German Jews were. Mixed if only one point is supported. Mostly false if the Jews were a target but the contrast is substantially misleading. False if historical evidence contradicts both points.

Set before the research began.

1. E1 Defining the Enemy | Holocaust Encyclopedia United States Holocaust Memorial Museum · 1 November 2018

   “A number of groups were targeted as enemies or outsiders. They included Jews, Roma (Gypsies), homosexuals, and political dissidents.”

2. E2 Jews in Germany Before the Nazis | Holocaust Encyclopedia United States Holocaust Memorial Museum · 24 September 2025

   “By 1933, when the Nazis came to power, Germany’s Jews were well integrated and even assimilated into German society. Despite their integration, Germany’s Jews still maintained a discernible identity and culture.”

3. E3 NS-Rassenpolitik: Nazis machten verachtete „Gelbe“ zu „Ehrenariern“ - WELT WELT (German daily newspaper) · 20 July 2015

   “In „Mein Kampf“ hatte Hitler die Japaner noch den „minderen Rassen“ zugeschlagen. Als Verbündete galten sie als „Ehrenarier“, wurden aber gleichwohl von der NS-Bürokratie drangsaliert.”

4. E4 NS-Rassenpolitik: Nazis machten verachtete „Gelbe“ zu „Ehrenariern“ - WELT WELT (German daily newspaper) · 20 July 2015

   “Kein Japaner, um es klar zu sagen, erlitt ernsthaften Schaden von deutscher Hand.”

E1 lists Jews among the groups the Nazis targeted as enemies, along with Roma, homosexuals and political dissidents, so the claim leaves out other targeted groups. E2 says German Jews were well integrated and even assimilated by 1933 but still kept a discernible identity and culture, so "almost-identical" goes too far. E3 and E4 report that the Japanese were Nazi allies treated as "honorary Aryans" and that no Japanese person suffered serious harm at German hands, although Nazi bureaucracy harassed them and Hitler had earlier ranked them among "lesser races." Both points hold broadly, but the claim simplifies, which fits the criteria for mostly true.