Sansei

is a Japanese language term used in North America and South America for the grandchildren of Japanese people who immigrated (moved to another country). The emigrants or immigrants who were born in Japan are called _Issei_; and their children born in the new country are called _Nisei_ (second generation). The grandchildren of _Issei_ are called _Sansei_ (third generation). The children of _Sansei_ (great-grandchildren of _Issei_) are called _Yonsei_ (fourth generation).

## History

The earliest organized group of Japanese emigrants settled in Mexico in 1897.

Immigration to Brazil began in 1908.  Today, the community which grew from these first immigrants has become the largest Japanese emigrant population outside of Japan, including around 1.5 million Brazilians. Other communities of _Sansei_ grew up in the United States,  Canada,  and Peru.

The use of the term _Sansei_ was based on the term _Issei_ (first generation), which came into common use in the 1930s. The word replaced the term "immigrant" (_ijusha_). This change in usage reflected changes in the way the _Issei_ looked at themselves, including the idea of belonging to the new country.

## Cultural profile

The term _Nikkei_ (日系) was created by sociologists in the late 20th century.  The _Nikkei_ include all of the world's Japanese immigrants and their descendants.

The _Issei_ were born in Japan, and their cultural point-of-view was primarily Japanese; but they were in the Americas by choice.   Their _Sansei_ grandsons and granddaughters grew up with a national and cultural point-of-view that was different from their grandparents.

Although the _Issei_ kept an emotional connection with Japan, they created homes in a country far from Japan.  The _Sansei_ had never known a country other than the one into which they were born.

|width="15%"|Generation|width="55%"|Cohort description|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|_Issei_ (一世)|The generation of people born in Japan who immigrated to another country.|||
|_Nisei_ (二世)|The generation of people born in North America, Latin America, Australia, Hawaii, or any country outside of Japan either to at least one _Issei_ parent.|||
|_Sansei_ (三世)|The generation of people born to at least one _Nisei_ parent.|||
|_Yonsei_ (四世)|The generation of people born to at least one _Sansei_ parent|||
|_Gosei_ (五世)|The generation of people born to at least one _Yonsei_ parent|||

The _Issei,_ _Nisei_ and _Sansei_ generations show very different attitudes to authority, gender, non-Japanese involvement, religious practice, and other matters.

## Select list of notable _Sansei_

- _This list is not finished; you can help Wikipedia by adding to it._

- Keiko Fujimori (1975 - ) Peruvian politician
- Irene Hirano (1948–2020), American business executive
- Mike Honda (1941 - ), US Congressman
- Lawson Fusao Inada (1938 - ), American poet
- Michio Kaku (1947 - ), American theoretical physicist, futurist and author
- Terry Kawamura (1949–1969), US Medal of Honor recipient in Vietnam War
- Doris Matsui (1944 - ), US Congresswoman
- Robert Matsui (1941–2005), US Congressman
- Patsy Mink (1927–2002), US Congresswoman
- Kent Nagano (1951- ), American conductor
- Paul Nakasone (1963 -), retired United States Army general
- Bev Oda (1944 - ) Canadian Member of Parliament
- Ellison Onizuka (1946–1986), US astronaut
- Kenneth P. Moritsugu (1945 - ), public health administrator, first Asian American U.S. Surgeon General
- Mike Shinoda (1977 - ), American musician
- Eric Shinseki (1942 - ) US Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- David Suzuki (1936 - ) Canadian university professor
- Ronald Takaki (1939–2009) American university professor
- Mark Takano (1960 - ) US Congressman
- Daniel M. Tani (1961 - ), US astronaut
- David Tsubouchi (1951 - ), Canadian lawyer and politician
- Rodney Yano (1943–1969), US Medal of Honor recipient in Vietnam War

## Related pages

- Japanese American Internment

## Other websites

- Japanese American National Museum
- Japanese American Historical Society
- Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project
- Discover Nikkei