Sarah Baker is a young Japanese American active in the Seattle area. She serves as the president of the student council at North Seattle College and has been elected as next year's chapter president of the Seattle chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). We followed the lives of this new generation of Japanese American who would answer "Shin-sansei."

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It is well known that the term "new" is often used to refer to Japanese immigrants after World War II. Baker's grandmother immigrated to the United States after the Korean War. She is a third-generation Japanese immigrant who came to the United States after the war.

Baker finds it difficult to describe the difference between himself and the so-called Sansei and Yonsei generations, but says, "A lot of Sansei talk about the heritage of their parents' generation, but that's not the case for me."

On the other hand, there are similarities in the culture they have inherited. "When I talk to other Japanese people, I sometimes mix Japanese words into my English, which I think is part of the Japanese culture. For example, I'd say, 'This ticket is expensive.'"

The younger generation of Japanese people do not have a deep knowledge of the history or customs of the past. "That's why I think it's good to continue popular cultural events like Bon Odori so that the younger generation can continue to cooperate and live together in the future."

I joined JACL in 2014 after being invited by a Japanese American friend in a high school class studying social justice. I signed an organization application at the first conference I attended, and two weeks later I received a scholarship to attend the national conference in San Jose.

The JACL currently has over 100 chapters in the United States alone. However, many of the chapters are struggling with an aging membership and are struggling to attract younger members. The Seattle chapter, one of the largest in the country, is also facing the same challenge.

In the meantime, the Seattle chapter has been working with other local communities and organizations, primarily among the younger generation, to deepen understanding between minorities. This year, the chapter held a workshop with the Muckleshoot Tribe, the largest Native American tribe in the area, and an event to support Asian Pacific Islander LGBTQ people.

"It can be difficult to know how to support other local organizations," Baker says, but adds, "Because we have experienced the same hardships as those minorities, we feel it is necessary for us as Japanese Americans to help other communities. By helping each other, we can speak out and stand up."

When she decided to pursue her bachelor's degree at North Seattle College, she decided to run for student representation because she felt there needed to be a voice for minorities and women.

"I think we need more minorities, especially women, to stand up. I think it's because of that feeling that I've continued to run for office as president of my university's student council and as the head of the JACL chapter."

The new JACL president said, "I want to increase the number of younger members and support other communities." The Japanese community is working together with other communities. I think we will see many different collaborations in Seattle in the future.

*This article is reprinted from the December 11, 2015 edition of the North American Newspaper .

© 2015 The North American Post / Fumika Iwasaki