Interviews
Interpretation of Nikkei
It gradually evolved because at first we had the Issei, Nisei, then Sansei, Yonsei, Gosei. Then it got to a point where, you know, it’s got to come to an end somewhere so I think somebody, I don’t know who, must have tried to lump everybody together as Nikkei, which would include not only the Niseis here, but the Japanese from Japan that are living here - any Japanese living in the United States – I’m presuming means Nikkei. Sou deshou?
It’s Japanese, it could be anybody - from Brazil or anywhere, but Nikkei would be the Japanese living in the United States, that’s the way I take it…or it could be Brazil, as far as that goes, you know, but I’d say…not that…Japanese…Nikkei would include - Japanese would include Nikkei, you know when you say Japanese. But Nikkei would break it down further into those living outside of Japan I guess. That’s my interpretation.
Date: March 25, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Sojin Kim
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
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