The Japanese must have felt their stomachs drop when it hit them that they're seen as Asian and not white. They were previously probably desensitized to their own reflections in the mirror and instead saw blue eyed blonde haired Narutos and Sailor moons in their head every time they looked in one.
They only need to look at the WWII propaganda art. Here is one from Dr. Seuss. Wonder when we’ll see the live action adaptation starring Jim Carrey.

