The word “Nikkei” (pronounced nee-kay) mainly refers to people of Japanese origin who have moved to other countries and their family members. It represents the long history of Japanese migration, how these communities have changed over time, and the way Japanese culture continues in new places. While most people use “Nikkei” for those with Japanese roots living outside Japan, the term can also mean Japan’s stock market index, the Nikkei 225, giving it more than one meaning.
Learning about “Nikkei” is like looking at a big, global picture made up of many stories-stories about overcoming challenges, joining new cultures, and how one’s identity keeps changing. From the busy cities of Brazil and the United States to smaller groups in Peru, Canada, and Australia, Nikkei communities show how Japanese culture has spread and grown stronger in different parts of the world.
What does Nikkei mean?
Simply put, “Nikkei” means people with Japanese background who have left Japan and their descendants. This includes not only those whose parents are both Japanese, but also people of mixed heritage who feel connected to their Nikkei roots. About 5 million people with Japanese ancestry live outside Japan, based on numbers from the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, which uses data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (October 2023). These numbers highlight just how big and important the worldwide Nikkei community has become.
“Nikkei” is more than just a label-it is a living identity that changes and grows, reflecting how family traditions, local customs, and personal choices all mix together. Because of this, what it means to be Nikkei is different for everyone, making it an interesting topic to explore and learn about.
How is the term Nikkei defined in different situations?
“Nikkei” can mean different things depending on where and how it’s used. The term started in Japan during the Meiji Restoration in 1868, being used for Japanese people and their families who settled overseas. That early meaning set the path for how the word is used around the world now.
Currently, the Japanese American National Museum, with help from more than 100 experts in 10 countries, says “Nikkei” means Japanese emigrants and their descendants everywhere, including those with mixed backgrounds who see themselves as Nikkei. This wide definition shows that identity can have many sides. On the other hand, the Japanese government uses the term “Nikkei” for people who live abroad and can prove they have Japanese blood up to three generations back-often in legal or immigration matters.
Besides these main meanings, “Nikkei” is also the name of Japan’s famous stock market index, the Nikkei 225. This can be confusing, but when people talk about Japanese living outside Japan, the meaning usually refers to people, not finance. The term “Nikkei” has even inspired a style of cooking, “Nikkei cuisine,” which mixes Peruvian ingredients with Japanese cooking styles, showing how the Nikkei experience can lead to new cultural creations.
What shapes Nikkei identity and communities?
Nikkei identity and the way these communities grow are shaped by many things, including history, society, and culture. Many Japanese people left their homeland during the Meiji period (1868-1912), often because of poor economic conditions or lack of space to farm. The Japanese government even supported these moves to help ease population pressure back home.
When they arrived in new countries, Nikkei groups changed and mixed with local customs and rules. For example, Brazil has about 2 million people of Japanese origin (as of 2022), and the U.S. has close to 1.55 million (in 2020). In Peru, Japanese arrivals had no set community and had to find ways to fit in, which even led to new foods, like Nikkei cuisine. Early groups in the Dominican Republic faced tough conditions, which affected later government programs that supported moving workers abroad from Japan.
The idea of being Nikkei is also about how each generation keeps and shapes its traditions. Even as they become part of the wider society, many Nikkei work to keep Japanese language, holidays, and traditions alive. Community centers, language classes, and cultural events help younger Nikkei learn about their roots. Exhibitions, like the one about Nikkei in Canada from July 2019 to July 2020, help share these stories and keep the community’s history alive.
Key words and phrases related to Nikkei
To better understand Nikkei and their communities, it helps to know some special words that mark different generations of Japanese emigrants and their families. These words help show how families have changed with each new generation in different countries. Knowing these terms makes it easier to appreciate the Nikkei story.
The vocabulary for talking about Nikkei has grown as the communities have changed. From the first people to leave Japan to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren born in a new country, these labels show how Nikkei identity changes but still connects generations.
What other terms go with Nikkei?
- Issei: The first generation, born in Japan and later moved abroad. They are the original pioneers who left their homeland to start new lives elsewhere.
- Nisei: The second generation, children of Issei, born in the new country. They often find themselves balancing Japanese traditions and the culture they were born into.
- Sansei: The third generation, grandchildren of Issei. Many Sansei look for ways to reconnect with Japanese heritage, although their ties may be less direct.
- Yonsei: The fourth generation, great-grandchildren of Issei. Like the Sansei, they often explore their background and what it means to be Nikkei today.
Sometimes, “Japanese diaspora” or “Nikkeijin” is used instead of Nikkei to mean Japanese people and their descendants living outside Japan. Also, “Nikkei cuisine” is a term in Peru for food that combines Japanese and local methods, showing how Nikkei ideas can also influence cooking and other parts of life.
How does Nikkei differ from Japanese nationals?
The main difference between Nikkei and Japanese nationals is where they live and their citizenship. Japanese nationals usually live in Japan and are citizens there-their daily lives are closely tied to Japanese society.
Nikkei refers to Japanese people and their descendants who live in other countries, often with citizenship there. Even though they keep many Japanese customs, they are also shaped by their new surroundings. For example, a Nisei born in Brazil grows up as a Brazilian and has a different experience from someone living in Japan.
Even when Nikkei move back to Japan, they are often still seen as Nikkei by locals and sometimes stay part of their own groups. This has been seen with Japanese Brazilians who moved to Japan to work in factories-they often keep old customs and sometimes find it hard to fully blend in. This shows that even living in Japan doesn’t make someone the same as those who have never left.
Frequently asked questions about Nikkei meaning
How is Nikkei identity kept alive through generations?
Keeping Nikkei identity strong over time takes effort from families and communities. Heritage stays important even as people move and change.
Families often hold onto Japanese holidays, recipes (sometimes mixing them with local foods, like in Nikkei cuisine), and stories about relatives’ moves and challenges. The Japanese language is another key way to stay connected. Some Nikkei take classes or practice at home to keep their language skills, which helps them understand their roots even better.
Community groups, temples, and cultural centers also help by offering a place to share experiences, learn the language, take part in traditional activities, and keep celebrations going. For example, the Nikkei exhibit in Canada (July 2019 – July 2020) showed personal and family stories and displayed artifacts, helping young people learn about their background and keeping history alive.
Shared memories, including times of hardship like the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, can bring the community together and create a strong sense of identity. Global events and online groups also help Nikkei communities connect and share ideas, so their identity keeps growing while staying linked to the past.
