Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/313/

Interviews

Yamano,Jane Aiko

(b.1964) California-born business woman in Japan. A successor of her late grandmother, who started a beauty business in Japan.

Having patience in Japan, being both

I try to pick up the good points from the American side and the good values and cultural things from the Japanese side. I think I mentioned a little bit is the patience issue. Normally, in Japan, they've got all these rules and regulations that they really adhere to. You know, there is no exceptions on some things. In the tea ceremony, you know, you've got to put it here. You may not put it here. It's got to be here. There are certain rules and regulations that are hard to understand. And sometimes there might be a reason, but it just doesn't seem logical. So instead of getting all mad about it, you just throw up your hands and go, Oh, it's Japanese; we're in Japan. And then I kind of deal with it.

In that way, I see...I see the service industry here in Japan as very nice. Whereas the Americans can kind of be abrupt and almost rude in some ways, when you get used to being here in Japan, you know, the service is so ultimately...they always make you feel special. 90 percent of the time, depending on where you go. So in a way, just feeling-wise, I think...I don't know, my husband would probably know the best. I am American in a way, but also very Japanese in another way.


Finding Home (film) identity Japan racially mixed people

Date: September 3, 2003

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Interviewer: Art Nomura

Contributed by: Art Nomura, Finding Home.

Interviewee Bio

Jane Aiko Yamano, 38-year-old Nisei-Yonsei, was born in Los Angeles and moved to Japan at age 12 with her Japanese father and Sansei mother. At the time that her family moved to Japan, Jane’s Japanese was minimal, even though she attended Saturday Japanese school in Los Angeles. She was enrolled in the American School in Tokyo, which was largely English-speaking. She then graduated from Sophia University and went to beauty college, after which she went into business.

Ms. Yamano is now fluent in speaking, but limited in reading and writing Japanese. She recognizes the restrictions placed upon women in Japan, but her position as head of a beauty college gives her more authority than usual for a woman. She is a Japanese citizen, having been registered by her father, and is also a U.S. citizen, holding passports from both countries. She has now lived in Japan for over 25 years. (September 3, 2003)

Bashi,Kishi

On being Japanese and American

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

Bashi,Kishi

His Shin-Issei parents

(b. 1975) Musician, composer, and songwriter

Yamashiro,Michelle

Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan

Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.

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.