Writing for the web has enabled me to meet creative and interesting people from all walks of life. I have been so fortunate to learn something new from nearly everyone I interview. Each person becomes a kind of window, providing a new view into storytelling, culture, history, business, artistry, and other communities, present and past.

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My favorite thing about Discover Nikkei is the multiplicity of Nikkei voices it brings together, speaking to each other across time, place, culture, and language. I enjoy the spirit of community and collaboration that exists here. Over the past five years, Discover Nikkei has inspired me (in no particular order): to learn Portuguese (Eu não posso falar, mas eu posso ler um pouco!) and web programming; to think critically about images and texts; and to be an outspoken advocate for my community and my history. I cannot imagine where my life would be today without it.

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When I was in college, I worried about being Japanese American “enough”—and I am actually half Filipina, as well. I wish I had been able to read a project like Discover Nikkei, because it continues to show me the kaleidoscopic identities of Japanese all over the world: so many of our shared and diverse conversations, as well as the effects of our heritage on our day-to-day living.

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[PT] Gosto do website DN por ser um local ideal para preservar os costumes, tradicoes e historias dos nossos ancestrais. Com o passar do tempo comecei a dar muito valor as nossas raizes e ao correto entendimento da jornada vivida pelos nossos pais, avos e bisavos. Acredito que isso nos ajuda a compreender melhor a historia da nossa humanidade. A troca de experiencias vividas pelos nikkeis nas diversas partes do mundo e uma rica fonte de conhecimento e sao fascinantes as licoes de vida contida nelas.

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[JA] 私たちの先祖が永い時間をかけて蓄積した伝統、風俗、しきたりなどを保つのに、ディスカバー・ニッケイは、私たちに最も身近で有効なツールであると思います。私は時が過ぎるに従い、私たちの先祖がたどった様々な人生の妓路に深い興味を持つようになりました。それを知ることによって、私たちの歴史にたいしてより正しい認識を得ることが出来ると思うからです。世界のいろんな国々の日系人の方たちが辿ったそれぞれの人生路の体験を知ることは、最高なる源であり、DNを検索するたび、素晴らしい体験の喜びを満喫しています。

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[EN] I’m highly appreciating the DN website as it’s an effective tool we have among us to preserve traditions, folklores, and many habits our ancestors accumulated since ancient ages. As time passes my concern about the many routes my ancestors traveled has deepened, and knowing about these things is helping me to get a more accurate understanding of our history. Experiences of various Nikkei from different countries that are spread worldwide are, for me, the best source of knowledge. I’m amused by fascinating experiences each time I access DN.

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Now that I am retired and functioning as an independent scholar, I place a premium on those websites about Nikkei history, society, and culture that are most comprehensive. Accordingly, what I most prize about Discover Nikkei is that its postings provide me with diverse, cutting-edge, relevant, and useful local-regional-national-global content and perspectives. I only wish that I could profit as much from those of DN's postings in Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese as I do from those in English, my sole language of competence.

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[EN] As a writer and journalist, my mixed cultural background of Japanese and European ancestry has deeply inspired my creativity, imagination, and literary passion insofar as both the written and illustrative form. And through DiscoverNikkei.org, I have found a sense of belonging as a Japanese-Hapa artist due to its unyielding commitment to discovering and highlighting the experiences and viewpoints of Japanese culture in an enlightened and connective manner that fuels my creativity.

On some days, I am moved deeply by heartfelt stories and articles by other Nimas about their shared and varied Japanese cultural experiences. On other occasions, I become immersed with the interviews and photos from other Nima families, to whom I find an immediate cultural and even spiritual connection.

I am honored to be part of the Discover Nikkei community as it authentically contributes a diverse blend of information, literature, and academic insights that I have not had the privilege to enjoy elsewhere. And as a writer who elaborates on the theme of connection through cultural inclusion, this is a contribution that is absolutely invaluable.

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I was initially introduced to Discover Nikkei by Norm Ibuki, and had the opportunity to read very educational stories of many Nikkei living in other countries. From my readings, I drew a parallel between the Japanese American and Canadian stories; however there was a huge variance. That being of the egregious treatment by the Canadian government was much more severe due to the aftermath of WW2 compared to the Americans. Bullying is not acceptable—we suffered immensely!

Regarding my 12 part series submitted for publication, I was very pleased with my first experience with DN. They were absolutely in tune and encouraged me all the way until completion in a very friendly manner which made me feel comfortable. I liked their insertion of photos alongside the stories which enhanced and added living depth to match the writings. When the topic of Bridge River Internment Camp came up they had inserted an aerial photo from archives beside my description of Bridge River! What a surprise as JC’s cameras were all confiscated at that time and we had not even seen such a photo until now. I now believe a picture is worth a thousand words. However, this pales in comparison with what’s in my memory bank! They even kidded me about “Kintarosan”, and have now become my official nickname. There’s much more I can say, but maybe next time. Getting to know them was half the fun. Thank you very much Discover Nikkei!

Read his 12-part story "The Evolution of A Canadian 'Enemy Alien'" >>

[EN] The Discover Nikkei site is a great way to see what organizations are offering as community programs.

Here is one of their upcoming events >>

Read an article by Naomi Hirahara from a past issue of Nanka Nikkei Voices >>

[EN] It was a great privilege to have been able to contribute to such a wonderful website this summer and join the ranks of my fellow nima-kai members in preserving and promoting Nikkei history and heritage through such works including, but not limited to, articles, interviews, and photographs. The Discover Nikkei website presents a great opportunity for Nikkei persons from all over the world to share their stories and connect with the common thread of Japanese ancestry. This online forum is a noble and successful endeavor by the Japanese American National Museum and one that I am particularly fond of.

In addition, I am deeply humbled by the stories shared on Discover Nikkei and learn new lessons and stumble upon new ideas every day through the articles that are posted daily. As the website itself, each update is substantive, interesting, and brimming with promise.

I sincerely hope this project continues into the distant future as I would like posterity to discover and live the current Nikkei experience vicariously through this website. And along with the tangible relics I will leave behind, I appreciate that a recognizable and sizable byte of my existence, identity, and culture can be excavated from cyberspace and beheld by the future generations as we today have done with the vibrant cultural heritage of our ancestors from the rich soil of this earth.

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Watch his video interview with Rose Ochi >>

[EN] One of my favorite things about Discover Nikkei is its coverage of Nikkei outside of the United States. Before I moved to Canada in 2001, I found that very few Japanese Americans knew very much about their Canadian counterparts, or even thought of their experience in connection with their own. This was even more true in regard to ethnic Japanese in Latin America. Times are changing, and the internet has helped instruct Americans to be more international in their thinking. I like writing for Discover Nikkei to share my experiences with Japanese Canadians and their history, and I like learning more from others about Nikkei in the Americas. It also gives me a nice opportunity to practice my Spanish!

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I found my first Nima-kai Chilean friend Roberto Hirose terrific! Enjoyed his Sushi Casero, Ensayo de Bonodori, Santiago Keirokai. And that's just the inveterate beginning. Getting to know Canadian and perhaps Japanese members. Dozo Yoroshiku!

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[EN] As a (non-Nikkei) member of the broader pan-Asian diaspora, it has been incredible to witness the dynamic community ties that Discover Nikkei has fostered. I have been humbled to be exposed to the histories and personal narratives that the site provides a space to highlight. As the A/P/A Institute continues to work to foster conversations that transcend traditional boundaries that define Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas, it is wonderful to work alongside Discover Nikkei as they undertake similar initiatives within the global Nikkei community.