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DISCOVER NIKKEI PROGRAMS
It’s been 15 years since the Discover Nikkei website launched in 2005! To celebrate, we are planning a variety of new virtual programs and videos to share on our YouTube channel and the website starting this fall.

We are considering larger programs with multiple participants (in multiple languages!), shorter Q&As with some of our favorite site contributors, and other video ideas. Let us know what kinds of programs and guests that you would be interested in seeing. We’re also seeking volunteers to help as guest hosts and with planning and video editing.

Until then, we hope you enjoy this video from a past public program about Nikkei in Mexico (in Spanish with translations in English).
From Japan to Mexico: A Nikkei Story from Veracruz
Julio Mizzumi Guerrero Kojima and Belen Torres Morales are descendants of immigrants who left Japan to work in the sugar plantations in Veracruz, Mexico, in the early 1900s. They are musicians with expertise in the Fandango, a tradition specific to Veracruz that is rooted in community convening and participation. They also are part of an environmental/community gardening project in Veracruz called Jardin Kojima.

On September 29, 2018, they performed with musician César Castro and spoke about their family's history, their expertise in Fandango, and their environmental project.

This program was presented in partnership with FandangObon and Discover Nikkei.
Julio Mizzumi Guerrero Kojima - Sergio Hernández Galindo - 2020 August email
Related story:

Julio Mizzumi Guerrero Kojima: A Jarocho Nikkei Searching for His Many Roots
By Sergio Hernández Galindo
[ EN | ES | JA | PT]
JOURNAL
JANM’s Media Arts Center Spotlight
By Kimiko Medlock

Kimiko Medlock interviewed the Japanese American National Museum’s Watase Media Arts Center team which recently won a Los Angeles area Emmy Award for Masters of Modern Design, a co-production with KCET. They talk about the project and other favorites over the years, as well as their staff picks. Congratulations to them on their well-deserved honor!
Yoko Tani: the Mysterious Life of a Nikkei Actor
By Terry Watada

Terry Watada shares another one of his favorite film stars—Yoko Tani—who acted primarily in small roles in Europe during the 1950s and 1960s.
Eden Kai, a musician and actor who was featured in Terrace House
By Keiko Fukuda

A 2019 interview with musician Eden Kai, most known for his appearance in the reality TV show, Terrace House: Aloha State. They discussed his multicultural background, music and acting career, Terrace House, and his identity.
『テラスハウス』で注目されたミュージシャン・俳優のEDEN KAIさん
福田 恵子

リアリティ番組『テラスハウス ALOHA STATE』へ出演した、日系アメリカ人2世の父と内モンゴル出身の母を持ち、14歳まで日本で育ったEden Kaiさんへのインタビュー。
Ronald Arteta Miyashiro — Generación Latina
Por Roberto Oshiro Teruya 

Ronald Arteta Miyashiro es uno de los músicos nikkei que han tenido que reinventarse para continuar tocando y animando fiestas desde su casa. En este artículo algo más sobre la historia y la carrera de este cantante y su orquesta.
Sobre a websérie NipoBrasileiros
Por Silvia Lumy Akioka 

Nesse artigo, Silvia Lumy Akioka conta as impressões sobre a websérie NipoBrasileiros e uma breve entrevista com a produtora. Algumas de suas experiências de vida apresentaram conexões com as histórias e sentimentos dos personagens. É um relato sobre a evolução de sua compreensão de identidade.
NIMA OF THE MONTH
laurahh (São Paulo, Brazil)
Laura Honda-Hasegawa (laurahh) is a Sansei in São Paulo, Brazil. Her writing shares her and others’ experiences and perspectives of being Nikkei. In her fiction, her stories explore life for dekasegi living in Japan.

She has been contributing her stories in both Portuguese and Japanese on Discover Nikkei since 2011. In addition to writing three original series, she has also written articles for Nikkei Chronicles, Kizuna 2020, and on other topics. Laura also helps us with translations, reviewing and editing Portuguese articles submitted by others, serving as an editorial committee member for past Nikkei Chronicles, led a writing workshop for us, recruited other writers, and more!
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In addition to your own stories, you have contributed to Discover Nikkei in many ways. What makes this project so important to you?

I am interested in Japanese culture and the history of the Japanese who emigrated to different countries, and I've been writing about this topic. I owe this to the existence of Discover Nikkei, for if it hadn't been for this project I would hardly have had such an opportunity. It brings me joy to be able to contribute, at least a little, by expressing, through family and community stories, how I think and feel. I hope Discover Nikkei becomes the meeting point for Nikkei from all over the world, a special place where everyone can reinforce the strong ties that bind them.

What is the most meaningful thing that has happened as a result of your connection to Discover Nikkei?

I’ve been contributing to Discover Nikkei since July 2011 and it’s gratifying to know that, during these 9 years, I’ve been able to share through my writing my experiences as a Brazilian Nikkei. These days, that has been my ikigai, my life’s purpose.
Além de colaborar com suas histórias, você tem contribuído de diferentes maneiras para o Discover Nikkei. O que torna o nosso projeto tão importante para você?

Eu me interesso pela cultura japonesa e pela história dos japoneses que emigraram para diferentes países e tenho escrito sobre o assunto. Devo isto à existência do Discover Nikkei, porque se não fosse esse projeto dificilmente eu teria uma oportunidade dessas. Poder contribuir, pelo menos um pouco, expressando minha maneira de pensar e de sentir, através de histórias familiares e da comunidade, é motivo de felicidade. Espero que o Discover Nikkei seja o ponto de encontro dos nikkeis do mundo inteiro, um lugar especial onde todos possam estreitar os fortes laços que os unem.

O que de mais significativo aconteceu em consequência de ter se conectado ao Discover Nikkei?

Colaboro no Discover Nikkei desde julho de 2011 e é gratificante saber que, nestes 9 anos, pude transmitir através da escrita as minhas experiências como nikkei brasileira. Atualmente isto tem sido o ikigai, o meu propósito de vida.
エッセイの寄稿をはじめ、様々な分野でディスカバーニッケイをサポートしていただいていますが、ラウラさんにとって、ディスカバーニッケイプロジェクトの重要性は何ですか?

私は日本文化や海外に移住した日本人の物語に関心を持ち、文章を書いてきました。そのきっかけは、ディスカバー・ニッケイの存在です。このプロジェクトがなければ、私にこういう機会はほとんどなかったと思います。自分の考え方、感じ方、家族やコミュニティのストーリーなどをお届けすることによって、少しでもお役に立てれば幸いです。ディスカバー・ニッケイが、世界中の日系人の特別なたまり場、日系人の絆が深まる場になることを願っています。

ディスカバー・ニッケイへ参加することで得た最も有意義なことは何でしょうか?

2011年7月から9年間、ディスカバー・ニッケイに参加でき、日系ブラジル人としての経験を文章にして、皆様にお伝えできたことを嬉しく思います。今では生き甲斐となっています。
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NIMA–KAI
It’s easy to create a Nima account! Log in to update your profile, add your own community’s events, and post comments on articles.


* Nima is short for Nikkei Nakama ( nakama meaning colleagues, fellows, or circle).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Find Nikkei events!
Explore Nikkei events around the world, including virtual programs that can be enjoyed from anywhere.

Share your own Nikkei community events and workshops in Discover Nikkei’s events section. It’s free!
SUPPORT DISCOVER NIKKEI

Discover Nikkei continues to grow each year with the help of our volunteers and site contributors, but there is a lot more we’d like to do.
Please consider a donation to the Japanese American National Museum in support of Discover Nikkei!

When making your donation, please type “Discover Nikkei” in the comments section so we know that you are supporting our project.
We would not be able to grow Discover Nikkei without the help of our dedicated volunteers.

Our volunteers help with writing and editing articles, translating, transcribing, social media posting, and more.

Thank you for your support!
DiscoverNikkei.org is a project of the Japanese American National Museum, with major support from The Nippon Foundation.
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