japanese american
Singer Utada Hikaru Reveals Nonbinary Identity, Wants More Discussions on LGBTQ Issues in Japan
Japanese American singer Utada Hikaru revealed their nonbinary identity during a recent livestream on Instagram.
The reveal: Over the weekend, the 38-year-old singer wished everyone a happy Pride Month and came out as nonbinary to their Instagram followers, according to Kotaku.
Community Raises $46K to Keep Japanese Art and Cultural Center From Closing in San Jose
A nonprofit center in San Jose, California that dedicates itself to teaching Japanese arts and culture is facing the possibility of closure due to months of back rent amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is asking the community for help.
A helping hand: The Japanese Art and Cultural Center (JACC), located on Moorpark Avenue, is now asking for help to continue their effort in teaching students about martial arts, Japanese language and arts, according to KTVU.
California Dedicates Jan. 30 to Fred Korematsu Who Defied Japanese American Concentration Camps
California dedicated Jan. 30 to the memory of Fred Korematsu, a shipyard welder who legally objected to Japanese American “internment” in World War II.
The state holiday, officially the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, was signed into law by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 23, 2010.
Japanese American Civil Rights Leader Passes Away at 81 After Getting COVID 2nd Time
Rose Takayo Matsui Ochi, a Japanese American leader and civil rights activist, has died in her home city of Los Angeles.
Ochi passed away at 81 on Dec. 13 after contracting COVID-19 for the second time. This worsened existing medical issues, her husband Thomas Ochi told the Los Angeles Times.
Yuta Watanabe Becomes the First Japanese Player Signed to Toronto Raptors
Yuta Watanabe, 26, has made history as the first Japanese-born player to ever be signed by the Toronto Raptors.
Welcome to the family, @wacchi1013 🇯🇵. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/xPYkaIHMkH
Japanese American Running ICE Detention Center Had Mother Born in a U.S. Concentration Camp
President Donald Trump’s order for deportation raids reportedly commenced last weekend, vowing to send at least 2,000 undocumented immigrants in 10 major cities back to their original countries.
The move, which has since incited fears of breaking families apart, has also put Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities under public scrutiny, especially with its current record-high population of more than 52,000.
Meet the First Asian American Basketball Player to Compete in the NBA
In the context of sports, 1947 is perhaps best known for being the year in which the legendary Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. Lesser known is the fact that over in the NBA — then known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) — a Japanese American by the name of Wataru Misaka did the same thing.
The 5-foot-7 Misaka was selected by the New York Knicks in the league’s inaugural draft, making history as the first non-White player to compete at the highest level of basketball. Though he only played three games before being cut, Misaka remains iconic as a pioneer who opened the door for minorities in the NBA.
Japanese Americans at Higher Risk of Building Up Liver Fat, Study Finds
Japanese Americans have a higher risk of accumulating fat in the liver and abdomen compared to other ethnic groups, a new study found.
For one, compared with African Americans, Japanese American men and women had greater fat distribution by 61% and 122% in the liver, and 45% and 73% within the abdomen, respectively.
Claudia Kishi of ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ is Getting Her Own Documentary
“The Claudia Kishi Club” is a documentary created by filmmaker Sue Ding to show the impact on Asian American women and creators from 80s and 90s of a Japanese-American protaganist.
Claudia Kishi is a Japanese-American character in the popular book series written by Ann M. Martin described as art-loving and boy-crazy. Ding wanted to create a documentary to show how important having an Asian-American character was in mainstream media.
Florida Expected to Repeal a Racist Law That Prevents Asian Farmers From Owning Land
In November, voters in Florida will attempt to repeal a 1926 law that prevents Asian farmers from owning and leasing land in the state.
The decision to repeal what is essentially an archaic and racist legislature was set in April after Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) voted 36 -1 in favor.
Japanese-American Woman Shocked When Hotel Bill Comes With a Racial Slur
A Japanese-American woman who attended a conference at a Philadelphia hotel was left in shock when her bill arrived with a racial slur on top.
Eileen Yamada Lamphere was among the attendees of the 2018 Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) National Convention, which was held at Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel last week.