Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1572/

Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds

Throughout my life, I think, I identified as Japanese, because that’s most of the – my growing period was spent in Japan, and the influence is very strong. But after I came to United States, it was difficult for me to decide, “Who am I?” you know, because I was born in Philippine, and then also Japanese, and then now I’m American, and it took me a long time to decide, “Okay, I’m going to be just my own citizenship. I’m all of it.” So – so that’s the only way that I could just live with my own background.


citizenship identity Japan Philippines United States

Date: July 12, 2017

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Mitsue Watanabe, Yoko Nishimura, Leighton Okada

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura was born in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines on March 25, 1938 as the first daughter of Katsujiro and Ura “Mie” Ashizawa. She was 7 years old in 1945 when her family had to leave the Philippines after Japan’s defeat in World War II. Her family lived in Shizuoka for the next 10 years. ​Later the family received r​​esidency status in the United States ​and arrived in Los Angeles ​in March 1956. Sawako went to Alhambra High School and later studied at Pasadena City College. She eventually found a generous mentor who helped support her through her education at San Jose State University and became a​​n occupational therapist. Currently she is volunteering at the Sakura Garden (Formerly Keiro Retirement Home). (March 2018)

Yamashiro,Michelle

Okinawan cultural appreciation

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

American values she aligns with

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamashiro,Michelle

Working together in Okinawa using three languages

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

Yamada,Mitsuye

Expressing herself through poetry

(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist

Matsumoto,Juan Alberto

About Escobar (Spanish)

(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan

Teisher,Monica

Her definition of Nikkei

(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States

McKenna,Sabrina Shizue

Impact of Coming Out on Her Family

(b. 1957) Jusice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.

Yonamine,Wally Kaname

The privations of living in post-war Japan, 1952

(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.

Sakata,Reiko T.

Parent’s Marriage

(b. 1939) a businesswoman whose family volunterily moved to Salt Lake City in Utah during the war.