Japanese Immigrants

1
Japanese Immigrants
Past and Present Lifestyles
2
History of Japanese Immigrants

• The Pre-World War II Japanese Immigrants came
  over in the late 1800s. The influence of the
  Japanese in America slowly grew until the start
  of the War. At this time all of the Japanese
  people that were living in America were sent to
  interment camps. They were forced to sell their
  houses for and possessions for much less than
  they were worth. For the duration of the war they
  lived in these camps, and were finally set free
  after everything was over. Many Japanese served
  in the war and many went back home, but there
  were also a substantial amount that stayed in
  America and tried to make their lives work. A
  museum in Portland, Oregon keeps some of the old
  Japanese-American lifestyle alive.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
3
Japanese Immigrants Today

• There are many Japanese people in America today.
  Since English is required in most Japanese
  schools, many Japanese students come to America
  to see the sights. Many exchange students come to
  PSU for a year as a requirement. There are of
  course many Japanese-Americans who have come to
  live and work as citizens. Many new Japanese
  people are arriving and many Japanese families
  have deep roots in America. Since there is a lot
  of American culture already imbedded into
  Japanese Pop culture, many Japanese want to
  experience the real thing. Also, since Japan is
  one of the top traders with America, many people
  go to America to become fluent in English and
  make a living in the business world as a
  translator.

4
Immigrant Adaptation

• There are a few places that new
  Japanese-Americans go when they need help getting
  to be comfortable with America. Travel Portland
  or POVA is one of the leading companies to help
  any visitor or resident feel at home in Portland.
• The Japanese consulate is also a place they go
  to ask questions. A member on the POVA staff was
  kind enough to let me speak with him about the
  information the company usually gives people who
  do not know their way around.
• Since many Japanese people come to America
  through the college, many of them stay together
  in groups for a while until they get accustomed
  to the geography of Portland.