During World War II, the United States ordered 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry to be moved into relocation camps throughout the United States out of fear that they may be spies. George Takei, who provides the voice of the warden, spent several years as a child in relocation camps in Arkansas and California.
When the tax collector comes, there are bao liang coins in his box. The Earth Kingdom symbol is based on bao liang coins.
Aang buys what in English is called an "Asian conical hat," which he wears into Haru's shop. These hats are worn in various regions of Asia and have a variety of names. In China they are called "douli" and in Japan they are called "kasa."