Interviews
Advantages of being Nikkei (Spanish)
(Spanish) I think you could say there’s a big advantage [being Nikkei]. In the past, people would say it was hard being Nikkei, right? Because there you were, neither Japanese nor a local, or a Chilean in this case. But I believe that nowadays it’s just the opposite. I think being somewhere in between is very advantageous, because now with cultural globalization there’s information being exchanged between one culture and another, right? It’s very strong, and so because of that, being in the middle oftentimes allows us to understand the good and bad of both cultures. So, I think that, at least in my case, the position of being Nikkei, today, with one foot on one side and the other foot on the other, I think it’s advantageous or positive more than anything.
Date: October 7, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Ann Kaneko
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Conflicted about immigrating to America (Japanese)
(b. 1925) War bride
Defining "Nikkei"
(1941-2018) Japanese Canadian photojournalist and activist
Unique Identity from Having Multiple Backgrounds
(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.
Growing up Japanese in Hawaii
(b. 1952) Former banking executive, born in Hawaii
Parents identification as Peruvian Okinawan
Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.
Okinawan cultural appreciation
Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.
Prejudice against Okinawans from mainland folks
Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.
American values she aligns with
Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.
Working together in Okinawa using three languages
Okinawan American whose parents are from Peru.
Expressing herself through poetry
(b. 1923) Japanese American poet, activist
About Escobar (Spanish)
(b. 1962) Nisei Japanese Argentinian, currently residing in Japan
Her definition of Nikkei
(b.1974) Japanese Colombian who currently resides in the United States
Impact of Coming Out on Her Family
(b. 1957) Jusice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.