Black people in Japan facts for kids
Jerome White Jr., also known as Jero, was the first Black enka singer.
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| Regions with significant populations | |
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| Tokyo, Okinawa | |
| Languages | |
| Japanese, English, African languages | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Black people |
Black people in Japan refers to people living in Japan who have ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa. This includes both Japanese citizens and people who live in Japan.
Contents
History of Black People in Japan
In the mid-1500s, some of the first people of African descent came to Japan. They arrived with Europeans, often working as crew members on ships or as slaves.
Yasuke: An African Samurai
One famous African man was Yasuke. He arrived in Japan in the late 1500s with a Jesuit missionary named Alessandro Valignano. Yasuke became a trusted follower of Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a powerful Japanese leader, known as a daimyō or warlord. Yasuke is often called the first Black samurai.
After World War II
After World War II, Japan's economy grew very quickly. This period is called the "Japanese economic miracle." Because of this, many students from Africa started coming to Japan. They often came to study at universities through programs like MEXT and JICA.
Many African Americans also came to Japan. Some joined the JET Programme to work as English teachers. Others came to serve in the United States Forces Japan.
Ariana Miyamoto: Miss Universe Japan
In 2015, Ariana Miyamoto made history. She was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and an African-American father. Ariana became the first hāfu (meaning "mixed" or "half-Japanese") contestant to win the title of Miss Universe Japan. Some people debated her win because she was not fully Japanese by ethnicity. However, her victory helped start important conversations about identity in Japan.
Notable Individuals
Many people of African descent have made important contributions in Japan. Here are some well-known individuals:
Born in Japan
- Thelma Aoyama (born 1987), a Japanese R&B singer.
- Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (born 1999), a Japanese sprinter.
- Rui Hachimura (born 1998), a Japanese basketball player.
- Dan Howbert (born 1987), a Japanese footballer.
- Crystal Kay (born 1986), a Japanese pop singer.
- Issey Maholo (born 1985), a Japanese football goalkeeper.
- Ariana Miyamoto (born 1994), a Japanese beauty contestant.
- Mana Nakao (born 1986), a Japanese footballer.
- Talla Ndao (born 1999), a Japanese footballer.
- Karen Nun-Ira (born 1991), a Japanese judoka (judo athlete).
- Naomi Osaka (born 1997), a Japanese tennis player.
- Ado Onaiwu (born 1995), a Japanese footballer.
- Evelyn Mawuli (born 1995), a Japanese basketball player.
- Stephanie Mawuli (born 1998), a Japanese basketball player.
- Powell Obinna Obi (born 1997), a Japanese footballer.
- Leo Kokubo (born 2001), a Japanese professional footballer.
- Keita Buwanika (born 2002), a Japanese footballer.
- Anrie Chase (born 2004), a Japanese footballer.
- Jefferson Tabinas (born 1998), a Japanese footballer.
- Paul Tabinas (born 2002), a Japanese footballer.
- Solomon Sakuragawa (born 2001), a Japanese footballer.
- Joel Chima Fujita (born 2002), a Japanese footballer.
Born Outside Japan
- Asuka Cambridge (born 1993), a Jamaica-born Japanese sprinter.
- Pape Mour Faye (born 1986), a Senegal-born Japanese professional basketball player.
- Samba Faye (born 1987), a Senegal-born Japanese professional basketball player.
- Chris Hart (born 1984), a US-born Japanese pop singer.
- Kotaro Matsushima (born 1993), a South Africa-born Japanese rugby union player.
- Kaoru Mfaume (born 1976), a US-born entertainment producer.
- Ike Nwala (born 1986), a US-born TV presenter and comedian.
- Andy Ologun (born 1983), a Nigeria-born professional boxer and actor.
- Bobby Ologun (born 1973), a Nigeria-born television personality.
- Mandy Sekiguchi (born 1991), a US-born rapper.
- Jerome White, Jr. (born 1981), a US-born enka singer.
- Yasuke, an Africa-born follower of Oda Nobunaga.
- Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi (born 1997), a US-born footballer.
- Zion Suzuki (born 2002), a US-born footballer.
