What's it like being Japanese Raised in America? 🇯🇵🇺🇸 

Click here to get 3 months ExpressVPN for free www.expressvpn.com/takashii And I made 2nd channel! Please subscribe not to miss my first video there! ru-vid.com/show-UCIJCo155EWutyiGO6Un2_0w

I'm a 100% japanese by blood, born and raised in Brazil. I have been in Japan and like the one those girls said, you can easily blend, but about the difficult to speak, always have to explain that you are a Nikkei gaikokugin from Brazil. Brazil has the largest japanese community out side of Japan.

As a longtime viewer of your channel, it was really fun getting to talk with you. Really interesting to hear other perspectives as well 😊Thanks for the interview!

As a Japanese American, really cool to know there were other people that shared the same struggles as I do, both in the States and Japan. Very cool video!

As a Japanese raised in America, now living in Japan, I am so grateful for this video! There are so many of us Japanese diaspora across the world. Thank you Takashi-san.

I'm Korean-American. I worked in South Korea and Japan so I totally understand what these folks are saying!!!!

"As I grow older, I realized that being different and being unique is actually a good thing." Gotta love that line. Nice content, Takashi-san! 素晴らしい！

I always enjoy when you have them speak a little Japanese at the end of your interviews.

I’m a Japanese American born and raised in Utah. My case was very similar to Saiyaka’s since in Utah its mostly Caucasian, with some Hispanics, and Polynesians. For asians its mostly Chinese and Korean. I had a big identity crisis of my own because on the one hand I tried to blend with the Americans, but I’ve been teased for having very thin eye lids more, than any of my relatives in the states and in the mainland. I was very short growing up and yes I was still picked on for that. There was a small Japanese community where they were Christians and I was picked on by half Japanese and even from the adult Japanese parents. From that point on I never wanted to speak Japanese or have anything to do with them because I was different from them. It wasn’t until I was 6 years old I was able to go and visit my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, along with my cousins that were living in Tomakomai , Hokkaido. I learned from that point on you can’t say everyone is kind from all walks of life. Every nation will always have very disrespectful individuals. I stayed for a long visit when I was 6 years old for about three months. I went back to Japan when I was 20 in the month of May which I haven’t seen my relatives in 14 years and went back the next year for my 22nd birthday in Tokyo. At that time I haven’t seen Tokyo in 15 years. My mother couldn’t speak English very well so she was sick of being teased by the American community so she vowed to get me and my sister to learn Japanese so she can have some venting. It was a blessing for my mother to keep the culture from the mainland alive. It still terrifies me going back to Japan because of the strict culture and me blending in as Japanese. I worry of what to say to them all the time since I never really have the chance to improve my grammar or have friends to talk to here. Its a big culture shock between different generations of Japanese literature of how things change. I’m relearning on how to speak properly to keep my relations with my grandma who is in her 90s and my other cousins. I’ve seen many Japanese Americans that can only wish in being able to understand the language and speak it.

Pretty sure Takashii will meet his future wife doing these interviews.

Great, insightful video. Not Japanese, but Black Cuban American, and I still found one thing I identified with in each story. The culture shock I had visiting Cuba for the first time, not really being in touch with my Cuban heritage until I got older, wanting to improve in my Spanish. Proud of my American roots but it's really easy to let your ancestral half get lost.

Tanner and Shelby… I identified a bunch with what they said! As a 4th generation JA, I didn’t have anyone to speak in Japanese with but still identified as “Japanese”… and then you come to Japan and you’re in this weird middle ground between your typical “foreigner” and “native Japanese”. I’m still confused at times but I guess it’s something to be embraced! Good video, I think it’s a topic that gets overlooked or is unknown by a lot of Japanese and people abroad!

Honestly, the most interesting part to me was Shelby’s voice and mannerisms. As a California, she felt verrrry Californian. Compared to a lot of people I have seen in video lately. Her experience with compliments reminds me of my Japanese teacher too when she spoke about how people will… say ‘good job!’ In America but just give a nod in Japan. まぁーすてきなビデオをまたありがとうございます。俺はハーフ黒人んだけど、母が「You don’t look black.」と言って時にびっくりしますww たくさんフル黒人が俺に叱った後は最近俺もその考えを思ってる。

Very interesting video Takashi! Thanks for covering this topic. I was born in Japan, but moved to the US in an early age. I pretty much grew up in America, so my Japanese is just at a conversation level, but I've always felt like I was not part of either identity. It's interesting to hear other people who had it similar when growing up.

I wholeheartedly agree with what Shelby said starting from 17:35. That's exactly the reason why I began traveling to Japan often, starting in 2017. To first visit the city and prefecture my great-grandmother came from (Iwakuni, Yamaguchi) and then learn more about my Japanese side of the family. I am anxiously waiting for the borders to fully reopen so I can finally go back. 2.5 years is a long time to wait!!😀

Omg Tanner! He’s great. I relate heavily to the “cultural limbo” as I like to call it. Not considered fully American because my citizenship and my Japanese heritage, and definitely treated as foreigner or just an outsider in general in Japan. My story is pretty much the same as Sayaka except I didn’t have the choice to stay in the US. The hardest part is the illiteracy, every time someone giving me a judgy look when I struggle to write anything 😂 wish I could be friends with y’all in real life 🤍 thanks for sharing!

I'm half-Japanese and lived in Hakodate for 5.5 years in the late 1990s. It was the best! You were more accepted because you were half-Japanese but also, often forgiven because you were only half-Japanese

Takashii-kun, 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Those were badass interviews. I enjoyed them all. It was dope talking to Japanese-Americans and returnees. The 1st guy described that in America he's Japanese, but in Japan he's not Japanese enough. Fascinating! 🤔 🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

As a Japanese Canadian, I've been waiting for a video like this my whole life

It was interesting to hear Shelby talk about her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who moved to the U.S. from Japan. Those stories would be highly interesting too, depending on when they immigrated to the U.S. Unfortunately, during and right after World War II Japanese-Americans were highly discriminated against, put into prison camps away from the west coast by force and faced very challenging discrimination after they were released from the prison camps a few years later to start their lives over again, often having lost everything economically. This did impact Japanese-American families. Some of the older folks did not speak about it to their children. The grandchildren began to talk about the prison camps after learning about them in history classes in school.

Always fascinating and regretful for me. Born in 1957 to American father and Japanese mother in Shibuya. We moved to Hawaii in 1962 and my mother wanted us to unlearn our Japanese culture and language..and said we were Americans now. Sadly me and my siblings quickly forgot our language over the years. Mom never gave up her citizenship and moved back to Japan. Now struggling to learn Japanese and when we visit Mom it’s hard to communicate with Japanese who think our situation is really strange. If something bad happens to my 90 year old Mother who lives alone we are stuck…..

Thank you for this video. I lived in the States for 8 years as a kid and returned to Japan right before middle school. I totally relate to Sayaka about the stereotypes (thin eyes etc) and the feeling of not belonging anywhere. I am glad that our society has changed over the years and I feel that people have become more conscious and respectful about what we think and say towards each other. 思っていたことを表現してくれてありがとう、みんなといつか話してみたい！！

Yeah, I can definitely relate to the first person. I'm Puerto Rican and have grown up my entire life in a Spanish speaking house with only my much older siblings knowing any deep English. Both of my parents have a basic enough understanding of English with only one of them knowing a lot more but not by much. I've been able to have conversations, but one of my parents is much more difficult due to the language barrier. All of the older people in the family all speak Spanish, so growing up I didn't really have many conversations with just about anyone other than either the younger people or my immediate family (brothers, sister, and their kids). So yeah, going to Puerto Rico twice, I felt like a fish out of water even more so. As I got older it got easier because I picked up a lot of Spanish, so I can understand it at a near fluent level (I've had incredibly complex and deep conversations with people who understand English but don't speak it, so they'd talk to me in Spanish and I'd talk to them in English, I've done some help translating for people as well due to this). Essentially what he faced/faces in Japan today has been my entire life, so yeah, that experience hits close to home. Honestly to this day the language barrier is still a challenge, but due to my experiences, it's gotten a lot better, and I've worked harder to get better at speaking my native language, something I'd encourage anyone to do.

Yeah, I can relate to these people, especially in the feeling that you are not of either country/culture. Being born in Japan and raised in North America, I also have the same feelings as they do. It was a feeling of either taking it as a cup half empty "I don't belong anywhere" or a cup half full "I get to experience both cultures", you tend to go back and forth with these feelings. It took a long time to feel it was ok, but being older, I tend to sway to the latter and feel that I was lucky to experience both cultures. Thank you for your video Takashii.

It was so nice to hear their stories from Japanese American who live in Japan. I am 100% Japanese living in the US since 1986. I moved back to Japan between 2013 to 2017 to work there. I enjoyed my time over there, but I struggled in the work environment. Because I was fluent in Japanese, everybody expected me to think the way Japanese does. Many time I was reminded of the common sense. It was like everyone must think and behave the same way. Conformity is important especially if you look Japanese. On the other hand White people in my observation were treated better, and their behavior was much tolerated. Also I felt Japanese people like to criticize a lot behind their back. For me it was a lot of pressure to live there.

I wish I lived in Japan when had the opportunity. I am Yonsei and also do not speak Japanese (just a few words and phrases), but every time I've visited, even though I am an outsider, but still feel very welcomed. This video has great insights of Nikkei experiences. AWESOME video!!

I really love your videos. I grew up in Hawaii which has a super high population of Asian people. It's great to hear about different perspectives and experiences.

Takashii, you're a great video journalist, fun and informative to watch!

I’m an American and I love and respect all cultures. I love your videos very much one of my dreams was to go to Japan but my dr gave me very bad news told me I have blood cancer and only have a few more years to live. But by me watching your videos I get to really enjoy Japan 🇯🇵 thank you for the amazing life you have you keep my spirits up.

Your channel is always inspiring as well as bringing new perspectives. I love that. Also it questions me what my identity is, and forces me to re-explore since I was born in Japan but raised in English speaking environment. Thank you, Takashi kun.

Great 👍 interviews. It’s cool to see and listen to the different experiences and responses from many people living in Japan and abroad. I’m Chinese American and I have similar stories myself. I went to a few Japanese markets in my area and some of them try to speak Japanese to me. The best of what I know from my experiences..I actually understood them lol anyways keep up the good work:) it’s good to learn many different languages

While visiting Japan I felt I had come home and I felt very proud to have Japanese blood. I recommend Nikkeis to visit this wonderful country I'm sure many will identify with this.

Duuuude, i'm going to Japan for the first time in November, and am super excited. Your show is super helpful. Thank you.

These are my people! Loved these interviews and wish each person all the best in discovering how great it is to know your American self and your Japanese self. I certainly grew so much as a person after moving to Tokyo for some college and then again when I found a job.

I love Takashi and I've binge-watched about half of his videos now, but what gets me every time is his outro. The way he leaves no pause and just script fully says as a non-question, "How was that that was interesting" is not only hilarious but also makes me happy. Both in a non-judgmental way. Not ragging on him or criticizing him. It's just, to the American ear it just sounds funny. great work as always, Takashi. looking forward to a lot more videos

Wonderful video! I admire the openness of all the interviewees. Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers from Egypt

TOKYO GUIDEBOOK takashifromjapan.com/tokyocompleteguide

I just turned 30 and still have an identity crisis lol. Gonna be a Japanese interpreter here in the US soon so hopefully it'll give me more sense of being "japanese" lol. Wish I met more people like myself (like these people have) when I did move to/work in Japan.

Oh wow. Really interesting video. I'm glad to see you are touching these subjects too.

4:36 for that guy who came to the conclusion that he isnt really japanese but american of japanese descent hit the nail on its head. that's why the japanese exchange students looked at him weird when he claimed he was japanese; its because he wasnt a true native japanese. for example, for me, my family comes from mexico but i was born and raised in the USA. so i always say im american of mexican descent because it's not fair for the mexicans that were born and raised in mexico for me to claim myself as a mexican. i wasnt born or raised in mexico like they were. i dont even have mexican citizenship 🤣 we got to realize theres more to being mexican or japanese than just our blood line. theres a culture, a way of life, that also comes with being mexican or japanese that can only truly be obtained by living in it.

Such an amazing video... can totally relate to what everyone was saying! Thank you for doing these interviews!!!

i like the relaxed way Takashii conducted the interview. Cool.

Thanks for having me ! It was great talking to you !!

Another great installment Takashii!!

I enjoy your video's and it is great to get perspectives of others and how they integrate with Japan.

Love your videos. Always very interesting topics. Keep up the good work Takashi!

This channel is amazing. Takashii is such a good interviewer. I've spent a ton of time watching these interviews and I wish Takashii was my friend. Seems like a genuine dude.

Takashi san I loved this segment!! I was born in Tokyo and raised here in Los Angeles, and i'm so proud of my heritage!!

Dude - all of your videos are so interesting. Thanks for sharing this topic.

Excellent! You and we are learning and becoming a better person through so many life experiences! I hope we all become more understanding and compationate with each other.

Hi Takashii 👋. Every time I watch your interviews I am so impressed with how comfortable you are and how you ask such great questions. You put you guests at ease and they seem to "open up" to you and share their feelings with you. Have you ever considered getting into journalism or working for the television/news media? I think that you could have a successful career in those fields. You are so intelligent and personable. Thanks for another fascinating vlog. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding weekend. 👍🤗🙏🌎.

thank you for all your videos and all your work, Takashii. really makes my days better! very interesting interviews every single time, I hope you keep it up!

Yes girl! Confidence looks good on you!

You are stepping it up and you have great content, Takashii.

Great vid takashi!!!

Very interesting but informative video! Great job !!!!

I was watching your Brazil to Japan videos and also Latin American to Japan and I wanted to scream. Several of your guests were speaking perfect English and I was wishes that you would ask them how in god’s name did they learned to speak English so well. Love your show however!

Great interview - looking forward to more

Hey Takashii, thank you so much for your videos, greetings from Brazil !

Very interesting video! I love the concept. Cheers!

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing. This whole idea of returning to the 'motherland', for lack of a better word/phrase, is unfathomable. It makes sense, but I will never understand it; listening to these interviews expands the mind a bit.

I have been watching your show for awhile -Truly love it . Brooklyn love!

This is my new favorite channel 🥰

Just wanted to say thanks for all the work you put in for us Takashi

すばらしいインタビュー、TAKASHiiさん！^_^ Japan needs more people like you!

Very interesting would love to live in Japan for a year. My nephew works for Toyota has married a Japanese girl and has two half Japanese half Australian beautiful kids. He is always told his Japanese language skills are superb and he has always preferred Japanese life to Australian which is very unusual. He likes the culture because they are very respectful people

Takashii your interview videos are awesome, glad I subscribed!

Hello Takashi! I just discovered your channel. I’m Japanese born in Japan, lived in Europe a bit and then moved to the US. I’ve been living in different parts of the US for over 35 yrs now. I can relate to and understand pretty much everything Sayaka said.

@TAKASHiifromjapan I have enjoyed watching your videos here. My 2 Stepsons are part Japanese/Greek/German/English. They both live in Colorado USA. They are proud of their Japanese heritage and look mostly Japanese. I love them both as my own. Thank you for all of your hard work in creating videos. Love the format!

Excellent Takashi🎊

It is good to know other people’s experiences. 👍🏻

Thanks for sharing. Interesting interviews/discussions as usual. If you find half Japanese/Iranian, that would be nice to watch as well.

Now every video I'm waiting for when he says "ok, how was that? That was interesting" 😂 really cute. Thanks Takashi!!

Great video TAKASHII SAN

Super interesting! I liked it a lot!!! I just want the video to be longer.

your channel is about to blow up soon takashi keep it up bro only a matter of time before you get 1 million subs i remember when you were only at 40k subs

I really enjoy your videos Takashii.

You are a very good interviewer

I'm glad they mention the state they live in because the culture in each state is heavily different from one another and their experience will be based on that state's culture.

these interviews are really good, even if you disregard the subject you find such interesting people to talk to.

awesome episode, I can relate to Sayaka.

Shelby is so awesome 💜

I love these videos! keep it going man

As an Asian-American born in Japan and grew up in California (Japanese-Filipina) I relate to a lot to all their experiences! I'm very lucky to have a diverse group of friends, but there aren't a lot of Japanese-Americans so it is really hard to find someone who can relate to and its so refreshing to hear all their inputs in this video!

Hey Takashi! Thank you for another video! I am wondering if you would be interested in interviewing people about the Eggplant Man show from Japan in the 90s? I would love to know how people view it now/thought about it then/etc. Just a thought! Have a good day!

I really enjoy your videos, thanks

2:27 I definitely feel that. Being Hispanic and not knowing how to read or speak Spanish makes me embarrassed and feel like an outsider to my own people

As a Half-Japanese person raised in America, I can relate to a lot of these experiences. The nice part of being half is that you still get to play the foreigner card if you mess something up in public.

I recently subscribed. Thank you for your content. Arigato gozaimasu!

great video, takashii

I am a sansei born and raised in Japan who went to American school. Moved to California in my teens. I totally understand what these people went through. Thank you for showing us where we all stand. Proud to be Japanese and American

Very interesting interviews.

Very interesting as usual

A big difference seems to be mannerism, posture, expression and tone of voice. For example, Tannerr looked very Japanese (especially his facial expression) when listening but when talking was very expressive with sweeping gesticulation of the hands and arms for example and that came across very differently. He seems to have a good degree already in mannerisms (perhaps the hardest part?) but needs to work at Keigo and Kanji. Study hard! Sayaka's tone of voice was more Western and she expressed her thoughts in more of her expressions for example. That is an individual personality attribute also. It sounds like she made a very good decision to come to Japan to grow as a person. Shelby came across as most American, for example her posture was very casual and relaxed and her English accent had that slight "American-drawl" quality ie easy elongation; so it is not surprising she pointed out that people often make random complements and thought that was a big difference, given speaking mannerism. And I think she's right: That's a cultural component that is informing how they speak as much as she's found that to be true in Japanese?! It may seem a challenge to be half-Japanese but as she says, it's a great opportunity to develop that Japanese identity by coming to Japan as well as the former background they already understand. A good problem to have!

Thanks for this video. I'm like Tanner and born and raised in Hawaii. I'm thinking about moving to Japan in the near future so it would be great to hear from everyone about working in Japan, what types of companies are willing to accept Nikkei people that don't speak native Japanese, and what struggles they have at work. That would be helpful. Thanks!

Here from Tannerrr let's goooo ‼️

I love this channel. This one was really insightful. Wonder if you have ever lived in an English-speaking country because your English is good.

Takashii, I think you are doing very well with your interviews even though it may be difficult for you to find the inner strength to find people to talk with, It might be a good time to go to an English speaking country and interview people on their impressions of Japan, if they have any.

As a anime lover and manga reader I want you to tell that u are really doing a very great job so keep it up

Hi, love your videos. Could you make a video where you interview people with tattoos in japan?