Ikeda Jimena

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 26 Being Nikkei is a responsibility, an honor, and a pleasure. It means carrying values, respect, and a thousand memories in my blood that I wish to preserve. IT MARKS A PERSONALITY, A LIFESTYLE linked to Japan. -- September 13, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Diana Elizabeth Emy Hashimoto Funada

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 25 Nikkei means Japanese descendants, but it is much more than that because being Nikkei allows us to exchange both cultures, Japanese-Paraguayan (in my case), and in that way we can get the best out of each. -- September 13, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Jorge Takashima

Country(ies): Argentina The beginning of a new stage of searching for a global generation of integration based on Japanese foundations. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Larry Y. Tokuyama

Country(ies): United States, Originally from Mexico

Being part of japanese descent (from) outside country of Japan. And proud to be Japanese descent for their culture and tradition.
--
September 12, 2013

This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Makio Mori

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 67 I am proud to be Japanese or Nikkei because wherever I go, people are considered “good.” -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Tomas Antonio Kikue

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 50 Japanese descent. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Alejandro Toguchi

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 47 Nikkei is our calling card to the world. It is the commitment to do things right and honor our parents. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

German Andres Tanabe

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 31 Nikkei means mixing two cultures, both in good and bad ways. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

María Cecilia Arakaki

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 24 It's a part of my identity. Being hafu and yonsei, I am the result of a mixture of ancestry. I can say today that, among many things, I am also Nikkei. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Ricardo Hara

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 55 Citizenship 200% -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Mariko Nakabayashi

Country: JapanAge: 44 People with the same roots. In the past, I had never heard of them, and could never have imagined it. Since participating in COPANI 2011, I have made more Japanese friends and they have become closer to me. However, I still think there are barriers to overcome, such as the issue of "working away from home." -- Photo taken on September 12, 2013. The photo activities for COPANI 2013 are a joint project between Discover Nikkei and the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Rikuto Yamagata

Country: JapanAge: 21I think Nikkei means Japanese people and Japanese society. What's interesting about it is that Japanese people are called Nikkei. In Japanese, they are distinguished from Japanese people by Nikkei, and in romanized or katakana, they are always called Nikkei, and they are nothing. I think the reason why "people" is added to Japanese is because Japanese people think that Japan is a country for Japanese people only, and Japanese people themselves are Japanese, natives of their own country, and nothing at all, so they don't have "people" added. I think the word Nikkei is more broad than Nikkei. -- Photo taken on September 12, 2013. The photo activity by COPANI 2013 is a joint project by Discover Nikkei and the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Emi Ogawa (Girl Kokeshi icon)

Designed by Akemi Mora

Masahiro Kudo

Country: JapanAge: 20My mother is a second generation Japanese and my father is a first generation Japanese. I was born in Japan and grew up as a Japanese. I'm now in Argentina to study Spanish. When I was little, I lived with my family in Panama and Paraguay. For me, "Nikkei" is my roots. As a child of Japanese immigrants, I want to understand the Japanese way of thinking and the Argentine way of thinking, absorb the good points of each, and make them my own strengths. The way of thinking of Japan and Argentina is very different. Each has good and bad points. If Japan and Argentina could incorporate the good points of each into their own countries, I think the two countries would become more interesting. I think "Nikkei" is the "bond" that connects the way of thinking of Japan and the Japanese communities overseas (the Argentine way of thinking for Japanese Argentines), two ways of thinking and cultures. -- Photo taken on September 12, 2013. The photo activities by COPANI 2013 are jointly planned by Discover Nikkei and the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Kohei Fujishima

Country: Japan Age: 21 A sense of community that transcends borders. The best communication without words -- Photo taken on September 12, 2013. The photo activity by COPANI 2013 is a joint project by Discover Nikkei and the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Nicolás Hiroshi Kakisu

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 18 Means descendants of Japanese living in countries outside Japan -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Chie Ishida

Country: JapanAge: 28 A person who has seen things that "Japanese" people cannot see. Or, a person who has experienced things that "Japanese" people cannot experience. A word that expresses that experience. -- Photo taken on September 12, 2013. The photo activity by COPANI 2013 is a joint project by Discover Nikkei and the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Carolina Hitomi Shiroma Miyagi

Country(ies): Peru Age: 18 For me, being Nikkei means being a messenger of two different cultures that complement each other. This word reminds me of the legacy and history of an ancient culture, Japan. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Federico Yasuda

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 25 Being an Argentine means being a descendant of a culture and wisdom that I wish to promote. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Gustavo Nicolás Ogawa

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 24 First-generation Japanese immigrants -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Juan Pablo Arakaki

Country(ies): Argentina NIKKEI for me means being proud of our origins and ancestors. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Javier Gustavo Wonaga

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 42 For me, being Nikkei means feeling joy and pride.

• Joy: Because I am happy with this life that my parents gave me and because of the blood that runs through my veins.
• Pride: Because I feel that, as we have shown throughout time, I belong to the nation that always stands up, no matter what happens.

Alicia Beatriz Arakaki

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 58 Being Japanese by my ancestors and being Argentine by adoption is a feeling of great wealth within me. Possibilities of seeing things from various points of view. I am happy being Nikkei. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Johanna Shimabuku Uene

Country(ies): Peru Age: 22 Being Nikkei for me means having the best of two cultures. Practicing and living Japanese and Peruvian values. It is richness and openness to new challenges and cultures. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Jorge Andrés Alakawa Nakamoto

Country(ies): Peru Age: 23 It is having the values of both countries, sharing traditions, having the best of both countries, such as culture, discipline, etc. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Sergio Alejandro Kohatsu Nakandakari

Country(ies): Peru Age: 19 It is about learning about the cultures and traditions of our grandparents and taking some of it with us. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Shiro Ariyama

Country(ies): Dominican Republic Age: 52 Being Nikkei means being of Japanese descent, the son of Japanese parents born in Japan. This entails an intrinsic commitment to honoring culture and roots, to give the best of both countries, the one where you were born and Japan. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Maria Veronica Miyazono

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 38 The word NIKKEI means being of Japanese descent, although it does not reflect my cultural identity. After today's talk, I see that my lack of knowledge of my ancestors' culture is not only mine. I understand that being Nikkei goes beyond eating and speaking Japanese, and that it is a personal search that one has to undertake. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Gabriela Verónica Occhionero

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 38 As we discussed today at the culture roundtable, for me being Nikkei means choosing to nourish myself with Japanese culture and its values, and to transmit them to my students through Japanese language teaching. Putting into practice the positive values of Japanese culture. As a non-Japanese descendant, I choose every day to maintain that connection (系); relationship with Japanese culture that life gave me. Discover Nikkei -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Pablo Gavirati Miyashiro

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 30 Nikkei is an inter-cultural construction that combines, on the one hand, the Japanese and, on the other hand, the American. It has a central component in the descendants of Japanese, but also in people interested in working together. See Kinsei Magazine N°6 (CEUAN, 2007) -- September 12, 2013 This photographic activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Jorge Akira Yamashiro Yamashiro

Country(ies): Peru Age: 65

• Being a descendant of Japanese immigrants overseas.
• Be integrated into the country of birth.
• Act with the practice of values inherited from our ancestors.

Hiroyuki Takeuchi

Country: Venezuela Age: 60

• An Endless Relationship with Japan
• Words that paint dreams for Japan
• Words to support Japan

Haruko Yoshikai Amador

Country(ies): Mexico Age: 52 The sum of 2 cultures with many traditions and values that together make me an integral human being. From Japan, honesty, work, respect, and from Mexico, humanity, dignity and responsibility. All this results in having solid and strong roots. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Richard Takao Moriya Fujikatsu

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 46 NIKKEI is a source of pride for me. It is being different; it is being Paraguayan with Japanese behavior and habits. It is understanding the world from a different perspective. It is constantly searching for the reason for the え and よう (?) in participating as a protagonist of change. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Juan Alberto Matsumoto

Country(ies): Argentina, Japan Age: 51 It means having blood and cultural ties with Japan, but not everyone feels or expresses it in the same way. It is a concept of ethnic identity that, depending on history, society and environment, is expressed in a variety of ways. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Monica Viviana Kogiso

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 44 Person of Japanese descent born outside of Japan, with or without ties to Japan. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Fredy Koichi Kogure Yonekura

Country(ies): Venezuela Age: 39 NIKKEI: In my opinion, NIKKEI is a term that represents the generations that possess not only part of their blood with Japanese origins; but also the mix and combination of genetics, cultures and customs; which makes us people with a fairly high level of versatility and an ability to adapt to diverse environments, that even having a great difference between them we can combine them and obtain a very interesting result, which makes us versatile, with great capacity and adaptability. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Roberto Arakaki

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 70 Being of Japanese origin. Proud to be Nikkei thanks to honesty, hard work and having left in society this idea of responsibility and respect for our fellow men, which our parents instilled in us. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Malio Sakata

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 74 Being Nikkei means having ethical and moral values within a society, showing these values to maintain the good opinion that we Nikkei have in Argentine society in our case. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Yoshiaki Yamada Cruces

Country(ies): Chile Age: 23 For me the word Nikkei means a family, which shares a common interest. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Eduardo Michio Ishibashi Florentín

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 44 It represents values, pride, honor, respect for ancestors. Excellence, solidarity, effort. Transmitting them to the new generations. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Diana Nagaki Oshiro

Country(ies): Peru Age: 45 For me, being Nikkei means being a person of integrity, exemplary, correct; in short, it means being “good people” who stand out in each of their countries of birth; having as a basis the teachings, customs, culture and to a certain extent the traditions of their ancestors ( ojiichan , obaachan ); among them: honesty and work; and who have known and continue to bring their families forward, promoting the continuity of inherited values and impeccable morality and, above all, the spirit of solidarity that will never end. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Rieko Shimomoto

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 76 Very important to maintain this connection to continue this Japanese identity. -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Discover Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Hatiro Shimomoto

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 77 Descendant of Japanese people outside Japan. Identity designation of “nipon” Nikkei descendant of Japanese people. -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Descubra Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Ii-sei Watanabe

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 69 Descendant of Japanese living abroad: performs his duties in each country where he lives, but with dignity! -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Descubra Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Júlio Aguemi

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 69 “Nikkei” means to me not only the descendants of Japanese born in countries other than Japan, but also the Japanese themselves who reside outside Japan, forming the Japanese community. -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Descubra Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Mikio Daniel Tokunaga Udo

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 44 Being Nikkei is a person of Japanese descent living anywhere in the world who identifies with the culture (including customs, ideals, language, etc.) of the Japanese. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Akemi Ikeda

Country(ies): Uruguay Age: 39 Being Nikkei means being lucky. Being able to enjoy two cultures, two nations, especially the values that we get from our grandparents and parents helps us face life better. I feel proud to be Nikkei. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Gilberto Makoto Mitsui Espinola

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 26 Being Nikkei is more than just being of Japanese descent or belonging to one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth generations. Being Nikkei is a feeling that is born and nourished by many values, learning from ancestral culture, being and developing ourselves as a person with a healthy mind, body and soul and being able to transmit everything we have learned to future generations. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Carlos Kasuga

Country(ies): Mexico Age: 75 To be heirs to the values of Mr. Issei. The flower is held by a branch, the branch by a stem, the stem is held by roots, the roots are not visible. But thanks to the greatness of those roots, of what the Issei left us, we must flourish splendorously in each of our countries. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Masako Kasuga

Country(ies): Japan, Mexico Age: 71 Trying to leave my children and grandchildren the moral legacy of values of my country, Japan. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Kazunori Kosaka

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 64 Nikkei is anyone who loves and accepts Japanese culture. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Gerardo Maruy Takayama

Country(ies): Peru Age: 84 First of all, I am very happy and grateful to have inherited the culture and good customs of my Japanese parents. Being a Nikkei, I feel a GREAT responsibility to not let down our ancestors and to be a better citizen of my country. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Julio Gushiken Irey

Country(ies): Peru Age: 61 Being Peruvian with Japanese roots inherited from my parents and grandparents, fundamental and universal values, such as honesty, transparency and the race to continue fighting to be good people for the benefit of our society in which we LIVE. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Abel Fukumoto

Country(ies): Peru Age: 66 The Nikkei person is one who has three simultaneous characteristics (Peruvian case).

1. It is the issei and all its descendants
2. Adheres to and practices the “Japanese/Nikkei” values that in the Peruvian case we prioritize in personal: Quality/austerity/integrity, perseverance) and interpersonal: Respect/gratitude/harmony)
3. Active participant in the cultural and ethnic diversity of Peru.

Miyuki Sakamoto

Country(ies): Uruguay Age: 27 Being Nikkei, for me, means belonging to another culture, besides that of my native country. Sharing and getting to know my father's culture. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Alice Asuka Akita Hisaoka

Country(ies): Paraguay, Uruguayan Resident Age: 18 For me, a Nikkei is a person made up of two cultures, two languages, and born in two different countries; therefore, two completely different points of view. In my case, I am very familiar with three cultures, and although two of them are from very close countries, the differences in the way each country thinks are very noticeable, and I believe that we Nikkeis have the only and best option to be able to apply each of the cultures, always bringing out the best in each one, and thus spreading the best of each culture. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Claudio Hagime Kurita

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 33 “Nikkei” means to me bonds, union where people from different places, customs and traditions, can together change their countries. -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Descubra Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Daniela Mai Uribe Yazawa

Country(ies): Venezuela Age: 15 Having the best of two or more cultures, having the opportunity to get to know different countries and people who share the same experiences as you, exchanging ideas and becoming better people by reflecting our Nikkei values. In my case, I grew up with a lot of Japanese values, but despite having Japanese blood, surname, first name, etc. I am Venezuelan and I like to have the best of both countries, the culture, customs, etc. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Hiro Kashiwagui Yamaguchi

Country(ies): Mexico Age: 26 A person of Japanese roots, with the responsibility and pride that this entails. Our ancestors left us great prestige in the world through hard work with the values that characterize Nihon . We as Nikkeis have the fortune and responsibility to continue maintaining this prestige and improve it with the values of our respective countries. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Junichi Hernández Yoshikai

Country(ies): Mexico Age: 25 Being unique, honored to have two great cultures. Like Mexico and Japan. Being able to act differently, always giving the best of both cultures. Being the difference in my environment and society. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Eiko Kokubun

Country(ies): Dominican Republic The best of two countries. The punctuality and organization of the Japanese; the joy and spontaneity of the Dominicans. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Douglas Shigeo Suzuki

Country(ies): Brazil Age: 28 “Nikkei” is about carrying pieces of Japanese culture and enriching it with what is most characteristic of other cultures. It is about transmitting and bringing together various cultures in their most beautiful aspects. -- September 12, 2013. This photography event was organized by Descubra Nikkei in partnership with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Noriyuki Then Shimazaki

Country(ies): Dominican Republic Age: 24 A line of inherited values; a culture. It is the opportunity (or rather, “DESTINY”) that allows us to unite A CULTURE that is so respected and valued throughout the world. It is an honor to be Nikkei as a member of Japanese culture/society. In our case, it fundamentally unites/fuses: respect and commitment/responsibility with human warmth, tact and trust. Being Nikkei, especially Latin American Nikkei, is the best combination. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Dalí Yazawa

Country(ies): Venezuela Age: 43 Nikkei is being a descendant of Japanese blood, responding culturally and ethnically to the mixture of blood and values. 100% proud to be a Venezuelan NIKKEI. -- September 12, 2013 This photography activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

José María Yasushi Justiniano Ishikawa

Country(ies): Bolivia Age: 21 Being Nikkei is: Having an open mind and an open heart.

• An open mind willing to learn from the diverse experiences that our context as Nikkei presents to us.
• An open heart willing to feel every aspect, every relationship, every bond that is created with other people.

Jessica Naomi Higaki Moriya

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 22

• It is feeling identified with a country and a great civilization.
• It is about discovering, rescuing, taking advantage of and applying all those virtues and contributions of Japanese society in our own environment, in our own country; in my case Paraguay, so that, together, we can create a better world.
• It is the commitment and responsibility that we all assume to continue transmitting “Japanese culture” through time and space, so that we all feel proud to be NIKKEI.
• It is feeling “ part ” of a great culture.

Gabriela Yoshihara

Country(ies): Argentina It means descendant of Japanese. It transcends blood ties and includes everything related to Japanese, such as lovers and followers of Japanese culture. -- September 12, 2013 This photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013.

Alejandro Julian Sato

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 23 Being and feeling part of the Japanese community! -- Photo courtesy: Alejandro Julian Sato

Veronica Paula Taira

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 24 Being unique and authentic. Making a difference -- Photo courtesy: Veronica Paula Taira

Tadashi Javier Sanagi

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 27 Nikkei is someone who has Japanese roots. -- Photo courtesy: Tadashi Javier Sanagi

Silvina Irei

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 26 Being a NIKKEI for me means carrying in my soul and blood the culture, customs and teachings of my grandparents and my parents who lived in Nihon-Japan and brought with them a lot of history that represents to me every day the pride of struggle and perseverance having respect and gratitude for life day by day. -- Photo courtesy: Silvina Irei

Marilina Julieta Toranzio Perdomo

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 24 Being Nikkei literally means being of Japanese descent... In my case it is a choice, I am Nikkei at heart. -- Photo courtesy: Marilina Julieta Toranzio Perdomo

Mariela Tsutsumi

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 26 Having the best of two cultures. Japanese and in my case, Argentine. -- Photo courtesy: Mariela Tsutsumi

Maria Carolina Sonoda

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 33 "Pride in representing an exemplary and ancient culture" -- Photo courtesy: Maria Carolina Sonoda

Lucas Coscarelli

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 28 Being Nikkei is carrying the blood of our grandparents, which means solid, strong, transcendental and respectable values in the society we live in. Being Nikkei is having a special feeling with people who are Nikkei without knowing us -- Photo courtesy: Lucas Coscarelli

Kunio Ishikawa

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 29 Japanese descent -- Photo courtesy: Kunio Ishikawa

Gustavo Abel Hokama

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 33 honesty, work, collaboration, dignity -- Photo courtesy: Gustavo Abel Hokama

Federico Daniel Minoru Duarte Cabello

Country(ies): Paraguay Age: 23 Japanese culture through time. -- Photo courtesy: Federico Daniel Minoru Duarte Cabello

Asato Naomi.jpg (Naomi Asato)

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 21 They are people descended from Japanese immigrants -- Photo courtesy: Naomi Asato

Eduardo Ernesto Naoyuki Koike

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 21 NIKKEI means a lot to me. It makes me feel like a Nihonjin, it makes me proud to be a Sansei. Being a Nikkei gave me the chance to learn more about my culture, my roots, where I come from, my history, the lives of my grandparents and great-grandparents. It makes me want to keep growing inside and spread this feeling of being a Nikkei to others so that it continues to grow! And to do great things so that the community and the Nikkie descendants remain united! -- Photo courtesy: Eduardo Ernesto Naoyuki Koike

Gastón Arakaki

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 29 Being of Japanese descent, and empowered by cultures other than the one of origin. -- Photo courtesy: Gastón Arakaki

Hitomi Miyashiro

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 54 My ID. -- Photo courtesy: Hitomi Miyashiro

Carlos Ohki

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 49 Although the strictest sense is Japanese and their descendants (Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei, etc.), I like to include all those interested in Japan and its culture. -- Photo courtesy: Carlos Ohki

Naomi Kina

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 32 It is being able to identify with and relate to people without even knowing them personally, but with whom one can feel a bond that precedes one's own personal stories. -- Photo courtesy: Naomi Kina

Ricardo Hokama

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 40 Being Nikkei means having the "added value" of two cultures. That of Japan and that of the country where one was born and/or lives. It is having the characteristic of being able to apply and develop both cultures. We have to feel fortunate for this. -- Photo courtesy: Ricardo Hokama

Keiichi Shirosawa

Country(ies): Chile (where I live and which I represent in COPANI XVII), Paraguay (where he was born, nissei) Age: 35 It is so broad but at the same time so simple, that I would use as an example that it is like a surname... which is a symbol of family. (It can be expanded but emotions are family). -- Photo courtesy: Keiichi Shirosawa

Patrizia Kurita

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 28 Descendants of Japanese who were born in another country have the virtue of knowing and understanding two cultures, nourishing themselves with the good things of each. -- Photo courtesy: Patrizia Kurita

Julieta Enee

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 19 Bringing a different culture, in addition to the native one. -- Photo courtesy: Julieta Enee

Bárbara Nakasone

Country(ies): Argentina Age: 33 Immigrants of Japanese origin. And descendants of Japanese origin. -- Photo courtesy: Bárbara Nakasone

John Katagi

Country(ies): USA

Age: 61

Being Nikkei represents my identity as a person whose ancestry is Japanese but whose experience is North American. I've never been to Japan nor do I speak Japanese, so I don't have a connection with the heritage that is Japan. I am, however, very proud to identify myself as an American of Japanese ancestry, having a blending of cultural experiences that include all that both cultures offer: Lakers, sushi, tacos, Mark Twain, matsuri, Hollywood. Being Nikkei is to be rooted in community outside of Japan and yet having some connection to it, however vague or well-defined.
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Photo courtesy of John Katagi.

Roberto Hirose

Country(ies): Chile Age: 63 Any person of Japanese descent and/or related to them by emotional ties. In addition, people with very deep ties to Japanese culture could be considered Nikkei. -- Photo courtesy: Roberto Hirose

COPANI 2013: What is Nikkei? (COPANI 2013: Photo activity booklet cover)

This COPANI 2013 photo activity was organized by Discover Nikkei in collaboration with the organizers of COPANI 2013. Discover Nikkei is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, with major funding by The Nippon Foundation. 
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Photo booklet cover. Designed by Akemi Imafuku Mora