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June 22, 2010 | | Articles | 6 Comments

Proposing a new Nikkei definition

As our name says, we are an organization that aims to create a global network of young Nikkeis. But who are the Nikkeis we are talking about?

The most common definition of a Nikkei is someone whose ancestor was a Japanese that immigrated to another country before/after the 2nd world war.

But we feel that this definition isn`t broad enough, for as it doesn`t include a lot of persons such as the children of Japanese + other nationalities espouses. They are called ha-fu in Japan, Hapa/Japanese-American in the U.S. and Mestiços in Brazil.

All these terms are related to blood ties, so then we have quarters when another generation comes in. But then how about the fourth-generation (1/8ers?) or the fifith-generation (1/16ers?)?? In countries where the immigration started earlier we already have the 6th generation of Nikkei! After many generations have passed, blood ties start lose meaning.

Also there are about 2 million non-Japanese living in Japan, their children may or may not have blood ties, but they can be much more familiar with the Japanese culture than many Nikkeis who were raised only overseas.

There`s also an increasing number of non-Japanese who are interested in the Japanese culture, having studied and mastered the culture in a way that it`s now part of their identity.

So this is clearly a definition that is already dated and we want to propose a new one, one that will last regardless of time or generations.

The Nikkei are those who are multi-cultured, having the Japanese culture as part of their identity.

We feel that this is a much more open definition and that this can be the first step to write a new chapter in the Nikkei history.

Igor Inocima
Born and raised in Brazil, but I've been in contact with the Japanese culture as my grandparents were Japanese. After some visits to this country I decided to move here in 2005. I work as the Communications Manager for the Nikkei Youth Network, a non-profit organization focused on creating a global network of young Nikkei. I am also the Japan office representative for Editora JBC, a Brazilian publisher focused on Japanese culture publications.

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Comments (6)

Reply
roreinserow » 19. Jan, 2011

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Reply
Luis Orlando Guzmán » 28. Sep, 2011

I'm GOSSEI, I feel proud of being Mexican. But also I feel proud of my japanese origins, I'm a proud nikkei!

Reply
Akira Uchimura Moraga » 30. Sep, 2011

Yes! this is what we are looking for. Having people appreciate both of their cultures, identities and making something new and positive out of it. :)

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anna » 30. Sep, 2011

I was born and raised in Japan, and didn't know I was a gaijin until third grade. I am a"Tamago" . Third culture children are all over the place. I am proud to have parts of me that are Japanese even tho I am a Hakujin~ peace.

Reply
Akira Uchimura Moraga » 30. Sep, 2011

Hi Anna,
Thank you for your comment. People like you is specially why we believe the word should change from 日系(Japanese Descent) to 日係(Japanese relations). Hope you can be part of this movement we are starting. :)

Reply
Bobby D. » 31. Mar, 2012

Ciao, Igor. I like your definition and i agree, the existing one is limited so some of us mixlings (haafu here) feel we are not part of the Nikkei "tribe". = )