Akina Nishi

@akina

Akina Nishi is a second-generation Japanese American. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, and plans to continue living in the sunny west coast. She is passionate about education equity and language learning, and is working towards getting a teaching credential in Japanese.

Updated November 2024

Stories from This Author

Nikkei Chronicles #13—Nikkei Names 2: Grace, Graça, Graciela, Megumi?

Growth, Identity, and Names

Nov. 15, 2024 • Akina Nishi

“My name is Akina.” When I introduce myself, it somehow feels important, like I am establishing my place in the world, and sharing with people my culture, language, and history. A couple disclaimers: I am still in the process of the whole “identity” thing. My identity is like a map of stars, and each star represents a formative life experience. But I do not quickly make out pretty constellations; instead, I am looking at a vast, glittery, scattered mess. Sometimes, …