The Meaning of “Nikkei” (Japanese)

Growing up with both Japanese and American influences Starting to get angry Finding out Roosevelt wanted Japan to attack Strictly American, but sympathize with Japan Parents expected to be taken by the FBI Angry about the mistranslations of his father’s testimonies Not able to go to Manzanar on a furlough 525 Quartermaster Corps Fort McClellan soldiers “All I have dear to me is in the camp” Try to be a bridge between both countries Common Grounds Interpretation of Nikkei The Meaning of “Nikkei” (Japanese)

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(Japanese) Before, we were called Issei, Nisei, Sansei, or Yonsei. But as we grew and grew into a larger group, somebody came up with the term “Nikkei” as a word that collectively refers to all of us. So to me, “Nikkei” means any Japanese person who is living outside of Japan. From the Nisei with foreign citizenship to the Japanese citizens working overseas—everyone is included. That is what I imagine “Nikkei” to be.

Date: March 25, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Sojin Kim
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum