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I am a Nisei writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to contributing to Discover Nikkei, I am researching and pursuing projects based on my family history, including the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its aftermath. Previously, I earned degrees in biochemistry/cell biology and journalism and worked as a writer and communicator in the biopharmaceutical industry. Outside of writing, I sew, knit, and strive to make osechi-ryori like my Obaachan used to make.
Gwen Muranaka is an award-winning author, journalist, and newsroom manager with experience in both the U.S. and Japan. She was recognized in 2023 with a Distinguished Journalist Award by the Society of Professional Journalists, Greater Los Angeles chapter, and was named a 2024 Pioneer by the Nisei Week Foundation. For over 20 years, she served as Senior Editor of The Rafu Shimpo, America’s largest bilingual Japanese/English newspaper, overseeing editorial and production, and leading its transition to hybrid operations during the COVID pandemic. Muranaka serves on the boards of the Little Tokyo Community Council, Nichibei Fujinkai, Society of Professional Journalists LA Chapter, and Zentoku Foundation. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA and attended the Art Institute and later studied Waseda University. She worked at The Japan Times as an editor, writer, and cartoonist, and was previously assistant editor of Pacific Citizen. In 2023, she published her first book, Drawing by Heart, a collection of cartoons and cross-cultural commentary. She maintains that community newspapers are the front line of information and must continually evolve to reflect the diversity of its readers.
Oliver Wang is a professor of sociology at CSU-Long Beach and author of Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture In Los Angeles (Angel City Press) and curator of the companion exhibition for the Japanese American National Museum, Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community, currently open through Nov. 12, 2025 at the Mullin Gallery at the ArtCenter of Design in Pasadena. Dr. Wang is previously the author of Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews of the San Francisco Bay Area (Duke Univ. Press, 2015). Oliver is a regular writer on music, arts and culture for outlets including NPR's All Things Considered, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Los Angeles Times, and KCET’s Artbound.
Vice President of the Management Committee of the Association of the Japanese Colony of Cuba
Chase Hastings currently assists with uploading and setting up articles at Discover Nikkei. He was drawn to Discover Nikkei by his interest in Japanese American history. He currently enjoys reading articles about Japanese-language media in Japanese diaspora communities. In his freetime you can find him drinking coffee, learning how to contra dance, or reading.
My mother was Japanese, my father American. I grew up in Japan and went to Yoyogi Elementary, Chofu and Zama High schools before moving to the US.
I was born in Argentina and I am 64 years old. My father was Japanese and my mother was Paraguayan. I live in the United States of America.
Yonsei Generation. Japanese,Canadian mother / Mexican father.
Husband of sansei woman. We met in college Japanese language class and married
Lauren (Ren) Markle is the Human Resources and Finance Assistant for the Japanese American National Museum. Ren is from the island of O’ahu and relocated to Los Angeles in Spring 2023. They are a mixed Native Hawaiian, 5th generation Nikkei, and 3rd generation Taiwanese diaspora.
I am an oral historian, creative writer, and the Communications Writer at JANM. I earned my MA in History from California State University, Fullerton.
Hello All! I am Taylor and I am a volunteer writer for Discover Nikkei. Since a young age, I have always enjoyed the culture of Japan, which started with an interest in Japanese game series, anime, and manga. As I have gotten older, my appreciation and interest in Japan, and its rich culture, has expanded beyond those three media forms. In addition to my interests in Japan, I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, writing, cooking, and learning about many different topics. I am very excited to be a part of Discover Nikkei’s work and help in their mission of sharing the voices of this wonderful community.
Discover Nikkei Updates
Guest host Tamlyn Tomita chatted with actor Christopher Sean in the latest episode of Nima Voices about his background, acting, and community involvement.
WATCH NOW!
Tuesday, December 9
Hosted by traci kato-kiriyama. Featuring Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, Erica Isomura, and Syd Westley
