What does Nikkei mean?
How do we define Nikkei, and what influences Nikkei culture?
The term Nikkei refers to Japanese emigrants and their descendants who have created communities throughout the world. Our definition of Nikkei encompasses a global diaspora of Japanese descendants worldwide, including people of mixed racial descent.
There are about 5 million Japanese emigrants and their descendants around the world.* Most live in Brazil and the United States, with Nikkei communities throughout Canada, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, and elsewhere. Many Nikkei also now live in Japan.
Exploring Nikkei Culture
Beyond lineage and kinship, what does it mean to be Nikkei?
This raises some thought-provoking questions.
- How do Nikkei today maintain a connection to Japanese traditions?
- What factors influence cultural identity? Do history, family traditions, access to a larger Nikkei community, or the ability to speak Japanese influence your Nikkei identity?
- In what ways do generations farther removed from Japan still feel connected?
- Does having more than one racial or cultural identity present challenges or opportunities in how connected you feel to being Nikkei?
Nikkei identity is expansive, multifaceted, and evolving. Our global community is eager to connect with each other across the diaspora. We invite you to explore the diverse stories and share your own.
*From the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad website, based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s “Estimated Number of Japanese Abroad” (October 2023)
Illustration by Roxsy Lin
