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@kiyonetg

I'm Kiyone (清音), and I'm very interested in the incarceration of Japanese Americans. I want to write about them because it's especially important to write about their experience, given what's happening in this country. We must never forget our history. I try to write about their experience, whether it's about the internment/incarceration camps or about their experiences before and after World War II, as my own mother's family was incarcerated, and their stories are close to my heart. Otherwise, I'm a mix of Japanese and Filipino descent, and I value my heritage. It informs my life experiences, and that's why I'm here writing this.

Nima since 2025 last login 1 month ago
@vanessamyho

São Paulo, Brazil Nima since 2016 last login 1+ years ago
@gasagasagirl

Naomi Hirahara is the Edgar Award-winning author of two mystery series set in Los Angeles. Her Mas Arai series, which features a Hiroshima survivor and gardener, has been translated into Japanese, Korean and French. Her first Mas Arai novel, SUMMER OF THE BIG BACHI, is currently being developed into an independent film. A former editor of The Rafu Shimpo newspaper and curator of historical exhibitions, she has also published noir short stories, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction books, including TERMINAL ISLAND: LOST COMMUNITIES OF LOS ANGELES and two biographies for the Japanese American National Museum, including AN AMERICAN SON: THE STORY OF GEORGE ARATANI, FOUNDER OF MIKASA AND KENWOOD. Co-written with Heather Lindquist, a book on the struggles of Japanese Americans after being released from Manzanar concentration camp (LIFE AFTER MANZANAR) was published by Heyday Books in 2018. Her seventh and final Mas Arai mystery, HIROSHIMA BOY, was released the same year. Set to be released in September 2019, her new mystery, ICED IN PARADISE, will follow the adventures of Leilani Santiago, who operates her family’s shave ice business in Kaua’i. She received her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University.

Pasadena, California, United States of America Nima since 2005 last login 1+ years ago
@flyingbird

A second generation Japanese American from San Francisco, with experience living and working abroad in Japan. Bilingual in English and Japanese, and have also studied Spanish and Korean. Majored in International Relations and Japanese, and minored in Asian American Studies. Volunteers at various JA events. Enjoys international travel and exchange. First name kanji characters mean "flying bird."

California, United States of America Nima since 2017 last login 1+ years ago
@holokai

Hawaii, United States of America Nima since 2008 last login 1+ years ago
@yoshiharuhiganaka

Japan Nima since 2016 last login 1+ years ago

Nima of the Month

Learn about some of our favorite Nima and what they like about Discover Nikkei.

Matthew Sueda is a Yonsei based in Hawaiʻi. Matt began volunteering for Discover Nikkei in late 2024 and has written stories about Issei photographer George Masa, an exhibition about ceramicist and educator Minnie Negoro, and Amy “Emiko” Hever, the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Trust.

Matt works in tourism management with a focus on destination stewardship. He holds degrees from the University of Tokyo and from Swarthmore College, where he majored in Japanese. He also volunteers with the Hawaiʻi Japanese Center, supporting its archival and exhibition efforts.

What do you like most about Discover Nikkei?
Discover Nikkei provides a thoughtful space for voices from across the global Nikkei community. I appreciate the platform’s attention to context and the way it highlights both shared heritage and individual journeys. Interviewing people from different walks of life and learning from their stories has been a privilege, and I look forward to contributing more in the future.

How do you connect to your Nikkei identity?
I connect to my Nikkei identity through language and the community histories around me. Volunteering with the Hawaiʻi Japanese Center has given me a chance to work with documents and artifacts that reflect the everyday lives of Hawaiʻi’s Nikkei families. Many of these materials are in Japanese, and engaging with them has helped me better understand the challenges and hopes of earlier generations. It’s been a grounding experience and a reminder that our stories are interconnected.

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Nima are members of Discover Nikkei’s global community called Nima-kai. Create an account and share your personal and community stories, events, and more related to the Nikkei experience. Connect with Nima around the world!
*The term “Nima” comes from combining Nikkei and nakama (Japanese for “colleagues”, or “fellows”, or “circle”).
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Discover Nikkei Updates

NIMA VOICES
Episode 19
Guest host Tamlyn Tomita chatted with actor Christopher Sean in the latest episode of Nima Voices about his background, acting, and community involvement.
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NIKKEI CHRONICLES #14
Nikkei Family 2: Remembering Roots, Leaving Legacies
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