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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1146/

On being thought of as a Japanese person (Japanese)

(Japanese) Of course, it comes down to my being Japanese. If you’re in a foreign country, for instance, Japanese food is one of these things that no matter how many years pass still tastes the best to me. Even the books I read, Japanese books still seem to be easier for me to read, yes. Well, I’m Japanese. And given that, as a Japanese living for a long time in a foreign country, if something happens, I have really no choice but to be labeled as Japanese. So if I do something bad, people are going to start saying, “oh, Japanese do this kind of thing.” If I do something good, people are going to start saying, “oh, Japanese do that kind of thing.” Naturally, in both my conscious and subconscious, I am “Japan”. I am a representative, and while I’m operating in a foreign country, I have to live a self-conscious lifestyle, yes. And so, regardless of the things that I strongly believe or don’t believe in, I’m always in an environment where people tend to judge me.


generations identity immigrants immigration Issei Japan migration

Date: May 7, 2007

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura

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

Interviewee Bio

Born in 1948, originally from Tokyo. Graduated from Waseda University’s Department of Education. Years later, he moved to Lima, Peru. While learning Spanish, he helped the work of his grandfather, Yoshitaro Amano, who founded and operated Amano Museum. He later married a Nikkei Peruvian Nisei. Currently, as a Peruvian cultural researcher, pottery/textile collection expert, and executive director of the Amano Museum, he conducts excavation work and is responsible for the management of the museum. As a Peruvian citizen diplomat, he attends government officials, businessmen, handles media coverage and programming for television. He visits Japan several times a year, makes speeches and leads panel discussions throughout Japan, and remains active in various fields. (May 2007)

Mas Kodani
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Mas Kodani

The performing arts not for Nisei

Senshin Buddhist Temple minister and co-founder of Kinnara Taiko.

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PJ Hirabayashi
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PJ Hirabayashi

Sense of lineage between Sansei and Issei through Taiko

Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko

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Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
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Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

Her father as a typical Issei

(1934 -2024) Writer

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Kazuomi Takagi
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Kazuomi Takagi

Generational Gap (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

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Kazuomi Takagi
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Kazuomi Takagi

Need generational change in Japanese community (Spanish)

(1925-2014) La Plata Hochi, Journalist

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George Abe
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George Abe

Honing Artistic Talent at Camp

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

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George Abe
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George Abe

Getting along with "Jichan" and "Bachan"

(b. 1944) taiko and flute performer

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Miyoko Amano
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Miyoko Amano

Yoshitaro Amano, Forced to Return to Japan by Prisoner of War Exchange Ship (Japanese)

(b. 1929) President of Amano Museum

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Toshiro Konishi
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Toshiro Konishi

Integrating As First-Generation Japanese-Peruvian (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Toshiro Konishi

Peru Representative vs. Japan Representative (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Toshiro Konishi

Thoughts on Japan (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshiro Konishi
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Toshiro Konishi

Inspirations for Living Abroad (Japanese)

(b. 1962) Japanese restaurant owner and chef in Peru

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Toshihiko Seki
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Toshihiko Seki

Japanese Culture and the crafting Sushi in the States (Japanese)

(n. 1962) Sushi Chef

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Isao Taoka
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Isao Taoka

The Grand Duty left to the Issei (Japanese)

(b. 1943) Paraguayan Ambassador to Japan

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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Toshiko Elena Onchi

The identity crisis of Peruvian children in Japan (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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