Americans in Christian organizations established the Committee on World Friendship Among Children. The group believed that an international exchange between children was necessary in order to foster a spirit of international peace for the next generation.

A "Doll Plan for Peace and Friendship" was developed that would encourage friendship through dolls given to children in Japan, where there was a traditional annual event called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival). Many of the Friendship Dolls were so-called "American composition" type dolls produced in great quantities.