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  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. 

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.

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 -&nbsp;), US Congressman 
* Lawson Fusao Inada (1938 -&nbsp;), American poet
* Michio Kaku (1947 - ), American theoretical physicist, futurist and author
* Terry Kawamura (1949–1969), US Medal of Honor  in Vietnam War
* Doris Matsui (1944 -&nbsp;), US Congresswoman
* Robert Matsui (1941–2005), US Congressman
* Patsy Mink (1927–2002), US Congresswoman
* Kent Nagano (1951-&nbsp;), 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 -&nbsp;), 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

## References
## Other websites
* Japanese American National Museum
* Japanese American Historical Society
* Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project
* Discover Nikkei