Real voices of Japanese Americans living as "Japanese

-A Japanese American talks about his identity as a Japanese American.

We will discuss what Japanese Americans have to say about their identity as Japanese. Those who were born and raised as Japanese Americans have formed their own unique identities between American and Japanese cultures. They may sometimes feel that they do not belong to either, but they live their lives with their own values and culture.

First, their identity as Japanese begins with the customs and values that are passed down within their families. The Japanese language, food, and etiquette taught by their parents and grandparents are deeply rooted in their daily lives. They also often feel proud to be Japanese by participating in Japanese festivals and traditional events.

On the other hand, however, different values and lifestyles prevail in American society. As a result, Japanese Americans often wonder, "Where do I really belong? Nevertheless, many Japanese Americans have blended these two cultures to create their own unique identities.

There are also many stereotypes that we face when we are seen as Japanese. In response, they face the challenge of how to recognize themselves and how to communicate this to others. However, the insights and experiences gained through this process are their strengths in their daily lives.

Ultimately, Japanese Americans live their lives while balancing their pride as "Japanese" with their daily lives as "Americans. There is much we can learn from their attitude. Their experiences will be a valuable message to the next generation. The stories spun by these Japanese Americans with their diverse backgrounds and experiences are very interesting.

-Integration of Japanese culture with life in the U.S.

For Japanese Americans living in the United States, integration with Japanese culture is an important theme in their daily lives. In this country, diverse cultures coexist, and how to maintain and pass on Japanese culture to the next generation is a major challenge.

First, food is a very important element in experiencing Japanese culture. In many Japanese American families, Japanese dishes such as sushi, miso soup, tempura, etc. are served on the dinner table on a daily basis. Through these dishes, Japanese tastes and cooking methods can be introduced to children. In addition, there are many Japanese food stores and supermarkets where fresh ingredients are readily available, making it possible to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine in the home.

Furthermore, language is also an important factor. In the home, Japanese is spoken and children are naturally educated in Japanese. However, since English is the predominant language in public schools and other settings, efforts must be made to maintain Japanese language proficiency. Therefore, many Japanese American families supplement their Japanese language education with weekend schools and online classes.

Annual events are also valued as part of cultural integration. Events such as Osechi (New Year's Day) cooking, Hatsumou (New Year's visit to shrines), and Obon (Bon Festival) ancestral memorial services are held. These events provide an opportunity for the whole family to participate and learn about unique Japanese customs. These traditional events not only strengthen family bonds, but also lead to an understanding of and pride in one's roots.

At the same time, however, integration with the local community is also important. Through community involvement and interaction with friends from different backgrounds, an understanding and tolerance of diversity is fostered. In this way, the best aspects of both Japanese and American culture are incorporated to create a new form of Japanese American identity.

Through these efforts, Japanese Americans enjoy a rich bicultural life and pass on Japanese culture as a valuable legacy to themselves and to future generations.

-What stereotypes do you face as a Japanese?

There are many different stereotypes that we face as Japanese Americans in our lives as Japanese Americans. These stereotypes can sometimes create misunderstandings and affect individual identities.

First, one stereotype many people have of the Japanese is that they are diligent and serious. While it is true that Japanese culture tends to emphasize hard work and discipline, not all Japanese have these characteristics. Still, this expectation can lead to a sense of pressure.

There is also a strong belief that one should be reserved. Because of this, there are situations in which it is difficult to express one's own opinions in a positive manner. This gap can cause communication difficulties, especially in the U.S., where expressing oneself is considered important.

Furthermore, one often hears the image of "strong in technology and science. Certainly, Japan is considered a technologically advanced country, but it is difficult to generalize, as each country has different areas of expertise. Nonetheless, these expectations can make one insecure about one's own abilities.

In addition to these, there are other characterizations such as "polite" and "prefer group activities. In reality, however, individual Japanese Americans are very diverse, and there are many aspects that cannot be lumped together. Confronting these stereotypes provides an opportunity to think deeply about one's own values and cultural background while respecting diverse identities.

Understanding the above stereotypes that we face in our daily lives and deepening the dialogue about the differences and similarities among them will lead to a richer international understanding. In the process, we hope to build a strong sense of our own identity.

-Japanese culture and its difficulties in conveying it within the family

As Japanese Americans, we play a very important role in communicating Japanese culture in our homes. However, it also entails many difficulties. First, the language barrier is a major challenge. Children growing up in the U.S. have limited opportunities to communicate in Japanese because English is their primary language. As a result, it can be difficult to give them a deep understanding of Japanese cultural knowledge and sensibilities.

Differences between the local culture and Japanese culture also have an impact. For example, individualism is emphasized in the U.S., whereas cooperation and group consciousness are valued in Japan. These differences in values can be confusing for children. Parents are expected to show understanding and respect for the good qualities of each rather than impose one or the other.

Furthermore, the same applies to traditional events and customs unique to Japan. Since unique Japanese celebrations such as Oshogatsu and Hinamatsuri do not exist in American daily life, it is necessary to make an effort to recreate these events at home. However, the preparation and implementation of these events takes time and effort, and it is not easy to balance this with a busy lifestyle.

Nevertheless, it is still very valuable to pass on Japanese culture within the family. It gives children a sense of pride and understanding of their Nikkei identity. It also fosters an understanding of different cultural backgrounds in a diverse society. Children raised in this way will be more tolerant of others as well as of themselves in the future.

Ultimately, continuing even small efforts will lead to great results. And since the process itself is also a valuable time for strengthening bonds among family members, we would like to make steady progress one step at a time.

-The solidarity and loneliness felt in the Nikkei community

I will talk about the sense of solidarity and loneliness we feel in the Japanese American community. As Japanese Americans, we have a unique identity. This identity comes from living and adapting to American society while respecting Japanese culture and values. For this reason, the Nikkei community is important to us.

First, there is often a strong sense of solidarity in the Nikkei community. People from the same backgrounds come together to share their experiences and thoughts with each other, creating a deep connection. By participating in festivals, events, and other activities rooted in Japanese culture, you will not only reconfirm your own roots, but also strengthen bonds with new friends. These activities provide an important opportunity to rediscover your pride as a Japanese person.

On the other hand, however, they may also feel a sense of loneliness. Especially when cultural values and lifestyles differ between generations, the gap can make them feel alienated. In addition, because they are a minority in American society as a whole, it can be difficult for them to understand their everyday concerns and problems. In these situations, they may feel as if they do not fully belong to either side.

Yet, having grown up in a diverse environment, we have the ability to overcome this complexity. And that is our strength as Japanese Americans. By embracing both solidarity and loneliness, while building relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds, we are forming a new form of Nikkei identity. This process itself can be a valuable learning experience for the next generation, and we will cherish it.

-Pride as a Japanese to pass on to the next generation

As Japanese Americans, I would like to talk about our pride as Japanese people that we would like to pass on to the next generation. Although we live in the United States, a country where diverse cultures intermingle, we continue to carefully preserve our identity as Japanese. In this context, there are certain aspects of Japanese culture and values that we would like to pass on to the next generation.

First, the diligence and politeness characteristic of the Japanese are virtues that should be respected wherever they are found. These have a positive impact not only on work and study, but also on human relationships. For example, punctuality and consideration for others are fundamental to smooth social life. I would very much like to pass on these values to the next generation.

Japanese culture also has its own unique spirit of hospitality. This concept, which emphasizes consideration and care for others, is very important in deepening relationships with people. This spirit of hospitality will be useful in many situations in the United States as well.

In addition, Japan has a rich variety of seasonal events. These are good opportunities to strengthen bonds with family and community, and to deepen our understanding of our roots, where we come from. In particular, the time spent together with the whole family during New Year's and Obon is especially precious. These traditional events should also be passed on to the next generation.

Last but not least, the Japanese language itself is also very important. We put a lot of effort into Japanese language education because the language is imbued with the unique culture of the country. The subtle nuances and emotions expressed through language, all of which are linked to our identity as Japanese people.

By passing on these elements of what makes us proud to be Japanese Americans to the next generation, we hope that they will be able to live confidently in their new environment without losing their Japaneseness. This is the legacy we Japanese Americans want to leave to the future.