What do you like most about Discover Nikkei?

What I like the most about Discover Nikkei is all the opportunities I am given to explore the diversity of the Nikkei community. From writing chronicles to interviewing fellow Peruvian Nikkei people, I believe all these different stories have taught me different things about myself and my community and have made me closer to it. Even though I feel like I haven’t been here for too long, I believe that Discover Nikkei has made me experience writing in a different way, which makes me feel more fulfilled. For a few articles I’ve written, I’ve reconnected with people I hadn’t reached out to in years, and I’ve also met new people whose life stories have made me see a wider scope of the history of both Japanese immigration and the Nikkei community worldwide.

How do you connect to your Nikkei identity?

Responding to this question used to be something that I struggled with. Despite being heavily connected to the community from having Nikkei friends, studying in Nikkei schools, and participating in events, I often didn’t feel as connected as others. This is something I’ve heard a few other people my age say they have experienced, since the further we get from the initial immigration generation, the more some traditions get lost. However, now I’ve realized that I connect to my identity in different ways. The shared experiences I have with others from my generation might not be similar to the ones our parents or grandparents had, but we still have a lot in common and that makes us feel connected. I also feel connected with my identity by learning more about other people’s life stories, because they often make me realize I’m not the only one with some experiences.