Interviews
What is Nikkei?
I'm sure they have some connection to the Japanese language and Japanese culture. I think a Nikkei is someone who can speak Japanese, knows about Japan, and has an interest in Japan.
In Brazil, when two or three generations of parents are non-Japanese, the connection with Japan gradually weakens. So, of course, Japanese people are still Japanese, but I don't think they can be called Japanese just because they have some oriental features in their face.
Japanese culture, whether that be movies, anime, manga, or even traditional Japanese performing arts or literature or things like that, is something that Nikkei people are interested in and value their bloodline roots.
If one is to cherish pride as a Japanese person, or something like that, then I think a Japanese person should be someone who is interested in Japan, not just someone with a particular facial appearance or lineage.
Date: September 19, 2019
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum