Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/496/

What does Nikkei mean to you? (Spanish)

(Spanish) It’s a pretty tricky question, you know, but I think being Nikkei means much more than having Japanese parents or ancestors. Being Nikkei means having a responsibility to carry within one’s self two concepts, two cultures that are totally opposed, but that we have to work with and learn to bring together, so that their values – everything positive that each culture offers – can manifest in our lives. That’s what I think it means to be Nikkei.


Hawaii identity Japanese Americans Nikkei United States

Date: October 7, 2005

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Ann Kaneko

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.

Interviewee Bio

Alfredo Kato was born in Cañete, Peru, on November 12, 1937. During World War II, his family lived in Cañete, but his father moved them to a mountainous region called Lunaguara. In 1947, they returned to Lima. At that time, Nikkei were not allowed to gather in public, so he attended Japanese school clandestinely.

He studied at la Universidad Católica and has been a journalist for 44 years. Currently, he is director of the Japanese Peruvian newspaper, Perú Shimpo and professor at the Universidad de San Martín de Porres. (October 7, 2005)

Schneider,Jean Hamako
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Schneider,Jean Hamako

Conflicted about immigrating to America (Japanese)

(b. 1925) War bride

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Wakayama,Tamio
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Wakayama,Tamio

Defining "Nikkei"

(1941-2018) Japanese Canadian photojournalist and activist

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Hirano,Paulo Issamu
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Hirano,Paulo Issamu

The term Nikkei (Japanese)

(b. 1979) Sansei Nikkei Brazilian who lives in Oizumi-machi in Gunma prefecture. He runs his own design studio.

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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa
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Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

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Fujioka,Robert T.
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Fujioka,Robert T.

Growing up Japanese in Hawaii

(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii

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Bashi,Kishi
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Bashi,Kishi

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Bashi,Kishi
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Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

American values she aligns with

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamashiro,Michelle
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Yamashiro,Michelle

Working together in Okinawa using three languages

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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Yamada,Mitsuye
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Yamada,Mitsuye

Expressing herself through poetry

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

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Matsumoto,Juan Alberto
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Matsumoto,Juan Alberto

About Escobar (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan

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Teisher,Monica
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Teisher,Monica

Her definition of Nikkei

(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States

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