List of Japanese Americans

This is a list of Japanese Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants, but not Japanese nationals living or working in the US. The list includes a brief description of their reason for notability.

Arts and architecture

Nina Akamu, artist
Kichio Allen Arai (c. 1901–1966), architect
Shusaku Arakawa (1936–2010), artist and architect
Ruth Asawa (1926–2013), sculptor
Norio Azuma (1928-2004), painter and serigraph artist
Hideo Date (1907–2005), painter associated with Synchromism movement
Isami Doi (1903–1965), printmaker and painter
Paul Horiuchi (1906–1999), painter and collagist
Miyoko Ito (1918–1983), painter and watercolorist
Ben Kamihira (1924–2004), artist and teacher
Jeff Matsuda, Emmy award-winning concept artist, comics artist, and animator
John Matsudaira (1922–2007), painter
George Matsumoto (1922–2016), architect and educator
Jimmy Mirikitani (1920–2012), painter
Luna H. Mitani, surrealist painter
Robert Murase (1938–2005), world-renowned landscape architect
Hashime Murayama (1879–1954), painter
George Nakashima (1905–1990), Nisei, woodworker, architect, and furniture maker
Hideo Noda (1908–1939), modernist painter and muralist
Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), artist, sculptor, designer
Kenjiro Nomura (1896–1956), painter
Chiura Obata (1885–1975), well-known artist and recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class, for promoting goodwill and cultural understanding between the United States and Japan
Toshio Odate (born 1930), Japanese woodworker, sculptor, educator; born in Japan and moved to the United States in 1948.
Arthur Okamura (1932–2009), California painter, illustrator and screen-printer associated with the San Francisco Renaissance
Miné Okubo (1912–2001), Nisei, painter, author of Citizen 13660, her book documenting life during her confinement in the Japanese American internment
Sueo Serisawa (1910–2004), Issei, Californian Impressionist artist
Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011), born and died in Hawaii; ceramic artist and painter; known for closed pots and cylindrical vessels
Adrian Tomine, graphic novelist (Shortcomings)
George Tsutakawa (1910–1997), sculptor and painter
Minoru Yamasaki (1912–1986), Nisei, architect, best known for the New York World Trade Center "Twin Towers"
Ray Yoshida (1930–2009), painter and collagist, teacher at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an important mentor of the Chicago Imagists

Business and economics

Barbara Adachi, principal at Deloitte
Takeshi Amemiya, economist, Stanford professor
Hiroaki Aoki, founder of Benihana
Glen Fukushima, co-president and Representative Director, NCR Japan, Ltd., and former president, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Francis Fukuyama, economist and historian
Glen Gondo, businessman and founder of the Japan Festival of Houston.^[1]^[2]
Kelly Goto, American entrepreneur and author specializing in user experience design and contextual research.
Robert Hamada, Edward Eagle Brown Distinguished Service Professor of Finance; former Dean of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Walter Hamada, film executive and producer
Jon Ikeda, automobile designer, Vice President and Brand Officer of Acura
Wayne Inouye, former president and CEO of Gateway, Inc.
Roy Kusumoto, founder of Solectron
Darren Kimura, founder of Sopogy, inventor of MicroCSP technology
Nobu Matsuhisa, founder of Nobu and Matsuhisa
Fujimatsu Moriguchi (1898–1962), founder of Uwajimaya
Bill Naito (1925–1996), prominent businessman in Portland, Oregon
Alice Sae Teshima Noda (1894–1964), businesswoman, dental hygienist, and beauty industry entrepreneur
Scott Oki, former Senior Vice President of sales and marketing at Microsoft
William Saito, founder of I/O Software, Inc. (acquired by Microsoft in 2004), venture capitalist and public policy consultant
Richard Sakai, producer and President of Gracie Films
Miyoko Schinner, founder Miyoko's Creamery, chef and cookbook author
Hikari Senju (2011), founder of artificial intelligence (AI) company Omneky
George Shima (1864–1926), first Japanese American millionaire^[3]
Gary A. Tanaka, financier
Dave Tatsuno, businessman and filmmaker
Kevin Tsujihara, CEO, Warner Brothers
Ken Uston, blackjack player, strategist, and author

Entertainment

Keiko Agena, actress (Gilmore Girls TV series)
Jhene Aiko, singer/songwriter, maternal grandfather is Japanese-American (Nisei)
Anna Akana, YouTube celebrity, actress/comedian, filmmaker, author
Asa Akira, pornographic actress and director
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Shin-Issei, musician, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and big band leader
Shuko Akune, actress
Daniella Alonso, actress; father is of part Japanese descent
Sally Amaki, singer and voice actress, member of idol group 22/7
Devon Aoki, model and actress; half Japanese
Steve Aoki, house musician and record producer
Tsuru Aoki (1892–1961), Issei, actress
Gregg Araki, film director
Reiko Aylesworth, actress known for portraying Michelle Dessler in TV Series 24; grandmother is Japanese
Nadia Azzi, pianist
Darren Barnet, actor
Nichole Bloom, actress and model; mother is Japanese
Kaylee Bryant, actress on Legacies (Okinawan via her grandfather)
Kenji Bunch, composer and violist
Artt Butler, voice actor; half Japanese
Dean Cain, actor, best known for playing the dual role of Clark Kent/Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; paternal grandfather is of Japanese descent
Asia Carrera, former pornographic actress; half Japanese
Louis Ozawa Changchien, actor; half Japanese
China Chow, actress and model (daughter of Tina Chow); 1/4 Japanese.
Tina Chow, model and jewelry designer who was considered an influential fashion icon of the 1970s and 1980s; mother is Japanese mother
Mark Dacascos, actor and martial artist; biological mother, Moriko McVey-Murray, is half Japanese.
Ian Anthony Dale, actor (Mr. 3000); mother is Japanese, father is French-English
Romi Dames, actress, voice artist
Lynn Yamada "Lynja" Davis (1956–2024), chef and TikTok celebrity
Marié Digby, singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist; half Japanese
DJ Heavygrinder, disc jockey; mother is Japanese
Yvonne Elliman, singer-songwriter; mother is Japanese
Lieko English, model and actress. She is known for being Playboy's Playmate of the Month in 1971.
Maya Erskine, film actress; half Japanese
Takayo Fischer, Nisei, actress
Tak Fujimoto, Nisei, cinematographer of many Hollywood films, including The Silence of the Lambs and Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, silent movie actor, Essanay Studios of Chicago
Koichi Fukuda, Static-X band member
Karen Fukuhara, actress
Cary Fukunaga, Emmy-award-winning filmmaker and writer known for directing & executive producing the first season of HBO series True Detective and for directing the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die (father is 3rd generation Japanese American)
Umi Garrett, pianist
Rigel Gemini, music artist; one quarter Japanese
Kimiko Glenn, actress and singer, known for portraying "Brook Soso" in the Netflix TV series Orange Is the New Black
Alésia Glidewell, web series director, producer and voice actress. Known for providing face and body models in Portal and Portal 2, Left 4 Dead and other video games; mother is Japanese
Griffin Gluck, film & TV actor; paternal grandmother is Japanese
Tom Gorai, film producer
Midori Gotō, classical violinist and recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize
Ryu Goto, violinist
Kina Grannis, singer-songwriter, guitarist and a YouTuber; mother is Japanese
Conan Gray, singer-songwriter and social media personality; mother is Japanese
Alice Greczyn, actress and model; part Japanese
Ann Harada, actress (musical Avenue Q)
Teri Harrison, model and actress. Playboy's Playmate of the Month in October 2002; mother is half-Japanese
Kayo Hatta (1958–2005), filmmaker (Sundance Award winner Picture Bride)
Chris Hart (1984) singer
Sessue Hayakawa (1886–1973), Issei, Academy Award-nominated actor
Matt Heafy, lead vocalist of band Trivium; mother is Japanese
Marie Helvin, fashion model; mother is Japanese
Don Henrie, self-proclaimed vampire and an "Alt" on the short-lived Sci Fi Channel series Mad Mad House; half Japanese
Ryan Higa, YouTube celebrity, actor, comedian, and producer
Judith Hill, singer-songwriter, provided backing vocals for such artists as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Josh Groban; mother is Japanese
Satoshi Hino, voice actor
Kazu Hiro, Academy Award-winning special make-up effects artist and visual artist
James Holzhauer, Jeopardy! contestant and professional sports gambler; grandmother born in Japan
Shizuko Hoshi, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actress
Glenn Howerton, actor, producer, screenwriter, and director, best known as Dennis Reynolds on the TV series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; born in Japan to American parents
James Iha, guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins and A Perfect Circle
Suzee Ikeda, singer who was the first Asian-American solo artist at Motown. Best known for her work "behind the scenes" at Motown with such acts as Michael Jackson and The Temptations; father is Japanese
Jeff Imada, actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator
Grant Imahara (1970–2020), Yonsei, builder and host on MythBusters TV series on Discovery Channel
Carrie Ann Inaba, dancer, actress
Joe Inoue, pop and rock musician
Brittany Ishibashi, TV and film actress
Tatsuya Ishida, creator of the webcomic Sinfest
Miki Ishikawa, actress
Miyuki Melody Ishikawa, singer and former host of NHK World TV music show J-Melo
Maryanne Ito, soul singer, songwriter, and performer
Robert Ito, Nisei (Canadian-born), actor, best known as "Dr. Sam Fujiyama" on the TV series Quincy, M.E.
Yuna Ito, singer and actress, also of half Korean descent
Micah Iverson, musician and contestant from The Voice season 18; born and raised in Japan, later moved to the United States
Mila J, singer, rapper, dancer; sister of Jhene Aiko
Jadagrace, actress, dancer, and singer. She appeared in the 2009 film, Terminator Salvation; mother is Japanese-American
Jero, born Jerome Charles White, Jr., enka singer in Japan; grandmother was Japanese
Ben Jorgensen, musician, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Armor for Sleep; part Japanese
Rodney Kageyama (1941–2018), Nisei, actor
Stacy Kamano, TV actress known for her role on Baywatch; father is Japanese
Janice Kawaye, voice actress
Candace Kita, film and TV actress
Hayley Kiyoko, actress, singer
Ariane Koizumi, film actress
Christina Kokubo, film and TV actress
Hokuto Konishi, dancer and b-boy, member of the season three-winning crew on America's Best Dance Crew
Mia Korf, film and TV actress; mother is Japanese
Kane Kosugi, actor and martial artist, son of Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor and martial artist
Shin Koyamada, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor, producer, philanthropist, and martial artist
Louisa Krause, film, stage, and television actress; father is of half-Japanese descent (from Okinawa, Japan)
Emily Kuroda, actress (Gilmore Girls TV series)
Karyn Kusama, director
Clyde Kusatsu, actor
George Kuwa (1885–1931), actor
Bob Kuwahara, animator for Walt Disney and Terrytoons; created Hashimoto-san series
Dan Kwong, performance artist, writer, playwright (Be Like Water)
Jeff LaBar, guitarist of Cinderella
Jake E. Lee, heavy metal guitarist, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and in his own band Badlands
Sean Ono Lennon, Hapa Nisei, musician, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono
James Hiroyuki Liao, actor; half Japanese
Lotus Long actress who began her acting career in Hollywood movies in the 1920s; father was of Japanese descent
Olivia Lufkin, singer-songwriter
Adelle Lutz, actress, costume designer, performance artist and sculptor; sister of Tina Chow; mother is Japanese
Mackenyu, actor
Ally Maki, film and TV actress
Mako (1933–2006), Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor, Academy Award nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (The Sand Pebbles), Tony Award nominee for Best Actor (Pacific Overtures), founder of East West Players
Bryan Mantia, contemporary rock drummer and composer who was a drummer for bands such as Primus, Guns N' Roses, Praxis, and Godflesh; mother is Japanese-American
Lily Mariye, actress (ER), filmmaker
Money Mark, producer and musician, best known for his collaborations with the Beastie Boys from 1992 until 2011; father is Japanese-Hawaiian
Keiko Matsui, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), jazz musician
Kent Matsuoka, Nisei producer and location manager
Nobu McCarthy (1934–2002), Kibei (Canadian-born), actress (Farewell to Manzanar, Wake Me When It's Over, Walk Like A Dragon)
Linda McDonald, drummer of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens; she is of Irish and Japanese descent
Elle McLemore, stage & TV actress; 1/4 Japanese
Meiko, L.A.-based singer-songwriter; one-quarter Japanese on her mother's side
Emi Meyer, jazz pianist and singer-songwriter; mother is Japanese
Anne Akiko Meyers, classical violinist
Derek Mio, Yonsei, actor (TV series Greek, Day One)
Mitski, singer-songwriter and musician; mother is Japanese
Kim Miyori, actress (St. Elsewhere TV series)
Diane Mizota, dancer, actress, and TV personality
Pat Morita (1932–2005), Nisei, Academy Award-nominated actor and comedian
Hiro Murai, Director (Atlanta, "This Is America" music video)
Glen Murakami, animator, director, producer
Doris Muramatsu, Girlyman band member
Alan Muraoka, actor and theatre director who plays the current owner of Hooper's Store on Sesame Street
Mina Myōi, singer, dancer, and a member of South Korean girl group Twice
Kent Nagano, conductor, Los Angeles Symphony
Robert A. Nakamura, filmmaker, co-founder of Visual Communications, teacher
Suzy Nakamura, Sansei, actress
Desmond Nakano, Sansei, film director (White Man's Burden, American Pastime) and screenwriter (Last Exit to Brooklyn, American Me, White Man's Burden, American Pastime)
Ken Narasaki, Sansei, actor, playwright
Hiro Narita, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), cinematographer
Lane Nishikawa, Sansei, actor, filmmaker, playwright and performance artist
Kevin "KevNish" Nishimura, musician, member of the Far East Movement (half Japanese)
Trina Nishimura, voice actress
George Nozuka, R&B singer
Justin Nozuka, singer, younger brother of George Nozuka
Philip Nozuka, actor, younger brother of George Nozuka
Sophie Tamiko Oda (1991–), child actress
Masi Oka, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), Golden Globe-nominated television actor (Heroes)
Daryn Okada, cinematographer, current president of American Society of Cinematographers
Steven Okazaki, Sansei, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Amy Okuda, film and TV actress
Ryo Okumoto, Spock's Beard band member
Yuji Okumoto, Sansei, actor
Lisa Onodera, film producer (Picture Bride, The Debut, Americanese)
Sono Osato (1919–2018), dancer and actress; father is Japanese
Yuko Oshima, idol, actress, and a former member of AKB48; mother is half Japanese
Ken and Miye Ota, champion ballroom dancers, martial artists (Aikido and Judo)
Seiji Ozawa (1935–2024), conductor, director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002
Mizuo Peck, actress; mother is Japanese
Ryan Potter, actor (Big Hero 6 and Big Hero 6: The Series) and martial artist
Douglas Robb, lead singer of Hoobastank; mother is Japanese
Grace Rolek, actress, voice actress and singer; 1/4 Japanese
Rubi Rose, rapper, songwriter and model; paternal grandmother is Japanese
Bianca Ryan, winner of America's Got Talent; mother is half Japanese
Nick Sakai, actor and producer
Stan Sakai, cartoonist, creator of Usagi Yojimbo comic series
Harold Sakata (1920–1982), Nisei, actor ("Odd Job" from James Bond film Goldfinger) and wrestler (see also "Sports" section)
Tony Sano, game show host
Reiko Sato (1931–1981), Nisei, dancer and actress (Flower Drum Song, The Ugly American)
Kylee Saunders, singer based in Japan
Lisa Marie Scott, model and actress, known for her appearances in Playboy magazine and for being Playboy's Playmate of the Month in 1995; mother is Japanese from Okinawa
Toshi Seeger, filmmaker and environmental activist, founder of the Clearwater Festival
James Shigeta (1929–2014), Sansei, actor (Bridge to the Sun, Crimson Kimono, Flower Drum Song, Walk Like a Dragon) and American popular standards singer
Laura Shigihara, composer and singer-songwriter, known for composing the Plants vs. Zombies soundtrack
Tak Shindo, musician, composer and arranger. He was one of the prominent artists in the exotica music genre during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso
Jenny Shimizu, model and actress
Yuki Shimoda (1921–1981), Nisei, actor
Sab Shimono, actor
Larry Shinoda, automotive designer noted for his work on the Corvette and the Boss 302 Mustang
Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park band member; father is Japanese
Kimora Lee Simmons, fashion model and fashion designer (according to Simmons, her mother Joanne "Kyoko" Kimora is of fully Japanese descent, and was a war refugee who moved to Korea)
Dan Smyers, singer-songwriter, member of the country music duo Dan + Shay; maternal grandmother is Japanese
Jack Soo (Goro Suzuki) (1916–1979), Nisei, actor (Flower Drum Song, portrayed Detective Sergeant Nick Yemana in Barney Miller TV series)
Joanna Sotomura, TV and film actress
Chrishell Stause, TV actress; 1/4 Japanese
Stephanie, singer; half Japanese
Booboo Stewart, actor; mother is part Japanese
Aya Sumika, former actress; mother is Japanese
Dave Suzuki, death metal multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the guitarist, lyricist, bassist and drummer for Vital Remains and as a touring guitarist with Deicide
Pat Suzuki, Nisei, American popular standards singer and actress (Flower Drum Song Original Broadway Cast)
Shoji Tabuchi (1944–2023), Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), famous fiddler
Jimmy Taenaka, film and TV actor
Charlie Tagawa, musical entertainer, banjoist. He was regarded as one of the best contemporary banjo players and arguably one of the all-time best.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor
Kobe Tai, porn star; half Taiwanese and half Japanese, Very Bad Things.
Rea Tajiri, Sansei, filmmaker
Miiko Taka (1925–2023), Nisei, actress, starred opposite Marlon Brando in Sayonara
Iwao Takamoto (1925–2007), Nisei, animator/producer for Hanna Barbera, creator of Scooby-Doo
Cyril Takayama, illusionist
George Takei, Nisei, actor, "Sulu" from Star Trek TV series and films
Sara Tanaka, actress
Chris Tashima, Sansei, actor, Academy Award-winning director (Visas and Virtue)
Brian Tee, actor
Teppei Teranishi, Thrice band member
Mayuka Thaïs, singer-songwriter, artist, actress, voice over artist, art educator, and edutainer; father was Japanese
Brian Tochi, actor; Sansei
Mika Todd, singer and former member of the Hello! Project groups Coconuts Musume and Minimoni; mother is Japanese
Mia Doi Todd, singer-songwriter; Mother is of Japanese descent
Tamlyn Tomita, actress; Sansei on father's side and mother is Japanese/Filipina
Jerry Tondo, actor
Daisuke Tsuji, actor (The Man in the High Castle, Ghost of Tsushima)
Uffie, singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ, and fashion designer; mother is Japanese
Miyoshi Umeki (1929–2007), Shin-Issei, Academy Award-winning actress (Sayonara) and American popular standards singer
Michael Toshiyuki Uno, Academy Award-nominated director
Hikaru Utada, singer/songwriter. Multi-million selling Japanese pop music star. Topped Billboard Club chart with "Devil Inside" in 2004
Gedde Watanabe, Sansei, actor, Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles
Daniel Kamihira White, magician; mother is Japanese
Don "the Dragon" Wilson, Hapa, actor in Hollywood action films, mother is Japanese (see also Sports below)
Linda Wong, pornographic actress
Lena Yada, model, actress, professional tandem surfer and a professional wrestler who is known for her time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Rachael Yamagata, Hapa, Yonsei, singer, songwriter, pianist; Sansei father and German-Italian mother
Hiro Yamamoto, original bass player for Soundgarden
Iris Yamashita, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter (Letters from Iwo Jima)
G. Yamazawa, poet and rapper born to Japanese parents who didn't grow up in an Asian-American community
Sotaro Yasuda, actor
Patti Yasutake (1953–2024), actress who played "Nurse Alyssa Ogawa" on Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series
Jenny Yokobori, voice actress born to Japanese parents

History

Kwan-Ichi Asakawa (1873–1948), historian, professor at Yale
Yamato Ichihashi (1878–1963), one of the first Asian academics in the US
Yuji Ichioka (1936–2002), historian, coined the term "Asian American"
Akira Iriye, historian, professor at Harvard
Shunzo Sakamaki (1906–1973), historian, professor at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ronald Takaki (1939–2009), historian, University of California, Berkeley professor

Literature and poetry

Emma Mieko Candon, American novelist
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, poet, wrote the first American Tanka poetry book in 1923, TANKA: Poems in Exile
Dale Furutani (1941–), novelist
Philip Kan Gotanda (1951–), Sansei, playwright
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston (1934–2024), Nisei, novelist, author of Farewell to Manzanar
Naomi Iizuka (1965–), Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), playwright
Ayako Ishigaki (1903–1996), Issei, journalist and memoirist
Lawson Fusao Inada (1938–), Nisei, poet and former poet laureate of the state of Oregon
Cynthia Kadohata (1956–), novelist; winner of the Newbery Medal (2005) and National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2013)
Hiroshi Kashiwagi (1922–2019), Nisei, poet, playwright, actor
Soji Kashiwagi (1962–), Sansei, playwright and producer (Grateful Crane Ensemble theater company)
Sarah Kay (1988–), known for her spoken word poetry. Her mother is a 4th generation Japanese-American (Yonsei)
Katie Kitamura (1979–), novelist, journalist, and art critic.
Janice Mirikitani (1941–2021), former poet laureate for San Francisco
David Mura (1952–), poet, memoirist, and novelist
John Okada (1923–1971), author of No-No Boy
Julie Otsuka (1962–), novelist
Ruth Ozeki (1956–), novelist
Albert Saijo (1926–2011), poet^[4]
Monica Sone (1919–2011), author of the autobiographical Nisei Daughter
Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto (1874–1950), memoirist
Toyo Suyemoto (1916–2003), poet, memoirist, and librarian
Yoshiko Uchida (1921–1992), Nisei, author
Michi Weglyn (1926–1999), author and recipient of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in 1977
Hisaye Yamamoto (1921–2011), award-winning short story writer
Karen Tei Yamashita (1951–), author and playwright, recipient of the 2021 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Wakako Yamauchi (1924–2018), Nisei, playwright
Taro Yashima (1908–1994), author and illustrator; recipient of the 1955 Children's Book Award

News/media

Ann Curry, former network anchor and correspondent for NBC News and The Today Show
Dina Eastwood, anchor
Naoko Funayama, Japanese-American Sports Castcaster,
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, photographer/photojournalist
Joseph Heco (1837–1897), fisherman and writer, first to publish Japanese language newspaper
Bill Hosokawa (1915–2007), Nisei, Denver Post journalist, columnist, editor, and author
Michiko Kakutani, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic and former chief book critic for The New York Times
Fred Katayama, anchor, Reuters Television, New York
Guy Kawasaki, author, Apple evangelist
Sachi Koto, former CNN news anchor
Lori Matsukawa, former evening news anchor, KING5, Seattle
Rob Mayeda, NBC Bay Area Weather Plus meteorologist
Denise Nakano, anchor, WCAU NBC 10, Philadelphia
Ellen Nakashima, journalist, The Washington Post
Kent Ninomiya, anchor, reporter and news executive
James Omura (1912–1994), Nisei, journalist, editor, and civil rights leader^[5]
David Ono, anchor, ABC7, Los Angeles
Roxana Saberi, reporter, mother is an immigrant from Japan
James Sakamoto (1903–1955), Nisei, journalist, columnist, editor, and boxer, founded first English-language Japanese American newspaper
Scott Sassa, former president, NBC West Coast
Tricia Takasugi, anchor, KTTV Fox 11, Los Angeles
Iva Toguri (1916–2006), Nisei, radio broadcaster nicknamed "Tokyo Rose"
Tritia Toyota, former anchor, KNBC and KCBS, Los Angeles

Martial arts

Taky Kimura (1924–2021), martial arts practitioner and instructor certified by Bruce Lee to teach Jun Fan Gung Fu or Jeet Kune Do
Toshihiro Oshiro, martial arts master and instructor from Haneji, Okinawa; a founder of the Ryukyu Bujutsu Kenkyu Doyukai
Don "The Dragon" Wilson, former world champion kickboxer and action movie star

Military

Thomas P. Bostick (born 1956), lieutenant general, U. S. Army Chief of Engineers
Barney F. Hajiro (1916–2011), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Harry B. Harris Jr., admiral (four stars) United States Navy, commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
Mikio Hasemoto (1916–1943), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Joe Hayashi (1920–1945), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Shizuya Hayashi (1917–2008), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Chiyoki Ikeda (1920–1960), CIA officer, recipient of Bronze Star in China in World War II
Daniel Inouye (1924–2012), former senator from Hawaii, Medal of Honor recipient World War II
Theodore Kanamine (1929–2023), a United States Army brigadier general
Terry Teruo Kawamura (1949–1969), Medal of Honor recipient, sergeant first class in the Vietnam War
Yeiki Kobashigawa (1920–2005), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Robert T. Kuroda (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Ben Kuroki (1917–2015), the only Japanese-American Army Air Force pilot to fly combat missions in the Pacific theater in World War II
Susan K. Mashiko, major general (two stars) United States Air Force, November 2009–present
Roy Matsumoto (1913–2014), master sergeant, U.S. Army; member of Merrill's Marauders; inductee of the U.S. Army Rangers Hall of Fame and the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame
Hiroshi Miyamura (1925–2022), Medal of Honor recipient, corporal in Korean War
Kenneth P. Moritsugu, former acting Surgeon General of the United States; rear admiral, USPHS
Kaoru Moto (1917–1992), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
James Mukoyama, United States Army major general
Sadao Munemori (1922–1945), Medal of Honor recipient, private first class in World War II
Kiyoshi K. Muranaga (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Michael K. Nagata, United States Army lieutenant general
Masato Nakae (1917–1998), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Wataru Nakamura (1921-1951), Medal of Honor recipient in Korean War
Shinyei Nakamine (1920–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
William K. Nakamura (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient, private first class in World War II
Paul M. Nakasone (born 1963), U.S. Army four-star general, 3rd commander of the United States Cyber Command and 18th Director of the National Security Agency
Joe M. Nishimoto (1920–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Allan M. Ohata (1918–1977), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Vincent Okamoto (1943–2020), highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War
James K. Okubo (1920–1967), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Yukio Okutsu (1921–2003), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Allen K. Ono, first Japanese-American lieutenant general^[6]^[7]
Frank H. Ono (1923–1980), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Kazuo Otani (1918–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
George T. Sakato (1921–2015), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Eric Shinseki, United States Army general, Army Chief of Staff (1999–2003), Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014)
Francis Takemoto (1912–2002), first Japanese-American general officer in the U.S. military
Ted T. Tanouye (1919–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Ehren Watada, first commissioned officer in the U.S. armed forces to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, discharged "under Other-Than-Honorable-Conditions" in 2009
Bruce Yamashita, worked to expose racial discrimination in the United States Marine Corps
Rodney James Takashi Yano (1943–1969), Medal of Honor recipient, sergeant first class in the Vietnam War

Politics, law and government

Sanji Abe (1895–1982), first Japanese American in the Hawaii Territorial Senate (1940–1943)^[8]
Jeff Adachi (1959–2019), elected Public Defender of San Francisco, a pension reform advocate, and a director of multiple films.
Richard Aoki (1938–2009), civil rights activist and co-founder of the Black Panther Party
George Ariyoshi, first Asian American governor of a U.S. state (Hawaii)
Alexander Arvizu (born 1958), US diplomat, first Japanese American Ambassador of United States (Albania) from 2010 to 2015
Sue Kunitomi Embrey (1923–2006), co-founder of the Manzanar Committee who worked to gain National Historic Site status for the former concentration camp
Henry Hajimu Fujii, civic leader, Order of the Rising Sun recipient, Idaho
Warren Furutani, California State Assemblyman, 55th District
Colleen Hanabusa, Congresswoman from Hawaii
Bruce Harrell, Acting Mayor of Seattle in 2017 and the current mayor of Seattle
Bob Hasegawa, Member, House of Representatives, Washington State Legislature
S. I. Hayakawa (1906–1992), Canadian, former Senator from California and linguistics scholar
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga (1924–2018), civil rights activist and lead researcher of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians
Gordon Hirabayashi (1918–2012), plaintiff in Hirabayashi v. United States, which challenged Japanese American internment during World War II
Mazie Hirono, former lieutenant governor of Hawaii, currently Senator from Hawaii
Mike Honda, Congressman from California
Paul Igasaki, former vice-chair and Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
David Ige, governor of Hawaii since 2014
Daniel Inouye (1924–2012), former Senator from Hawaii, Medal of Honor recipient, former President pro tempore of the United States Senate, and third in the United States presidential line of succession
Adena Ishii, mayor of Berkeley
Lance Ito, judge, presided over O. J. Simpson criminal trial
Jani Iwamoto, Democratic Utah Senator
Lincoln Kanai (1908–1982), plaintiff in ex parte Kanai, which challenged the constitutionality of the WWII incarceration
James Kanno (1925–2017), mayor of Fountain Valley, California from 1957 to 1962
Yuri Kochiyama (1921–2014), Japanese American civil rights activist and friend of Malcolm X
Russell S. Kokubun, member, Hawaii State Senate
Fred Korematsu (1919–2005), Medal of Freedom recipient who argued against the internment
Aki Kurose (1925–2008), activist and educator who helped establish Seattle's first Head Start Program
Mari Matsuda, first tenured Asian American female law professor in the United States
Kinjiro Matsudaira (1885–1963), mayor of Edmonston, Maryland in 1927 and 1943
Doris Matsui, Congresswoman from California and widow of Robert Matsui
Robert Matsui (1941–2005), late Congressman from California and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Spark Matsunaga (1916–1990), US Senator from Hawaii
Stan Matsunaka, Colorado State Senator
Norman Mineta (1931–2022), Mayor of San Jose, California, Congressman from California, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation
Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927–2002), first Asian American Congresswoman, Hawaii
Tyson Miyake, member, Hawaii State House
May Mizuno, member, Hawaii State House
Hermina Morita, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Kenneth P. Moritsugu, United States Surgeon General (acting) from 2006 to 2007
Alan Nakanishi, California State Assemblyman, 10th District 2002–08
George Nakano, former California State Assemblyman
Paula A. Nakayama, Associate Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court
Karen Narasaki, executive director of the Asian American Justice Center
Clarence K. Nishihara, member, Hawaii State Senate
Steere Noda (1892–1986), politician, lawyer, and baseball player in the State of Hawaii
Blake Oshiro, lawyer, former deputy chief of staff to the Governor of Hawaii and Majority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives
Pete Rouse, interim White House Chief of Staff in the Barack Obama administration
Scott Saiki, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Thomas Sakakihara (1900–1976), member 1932–1954, House of Representatives, Hawaii Territorial Legislature^[9]
Sharon Tomiko Santos, Majority Whip, House of Representatives, Washington State Legislature
Eunice Sato (1921–2021), first Asian-American female mayor of a major American city (Long Beach, California)
Maile Shimabukuro, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Mark Takai, former member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Dwight Takamine, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Mark Takano (1960–), Congressman representing the 41st Congressional District of California; first LGBT person of color to be elected to Congress
Gregg Takayama, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Robert Mitsuhiro Takasugi (1930–2009), first Japanese-American appointed to the federal bench
Paul Tanaka, Mayor of the City of Gardena and Assistant Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
A. Wallace Tashima, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Jill N. Tokuda, member, Hawaii State Senate and US House of Representatives
Grayce Uyehara, social worker and activist
Takuji Yamashita (1874–1959), early civil rights pioneer
Minoru Yasui (1916-1986), plaintiff in Yasui v. United States

Religion

Yoshiaki Fukuda (1898–1957), Bishop and missionary of Konkokyo
Robert T. Hoshibata, Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Mineo Katagiri (1919–2005), minister and activist
Daisuke Kitagawa (1910–1970), reverend and episcopal priest
Gyomay Kubose (1905–2000), Buddhist teacher and founder of Chicago Buddhist Church
Shuichi Thomas Kurai (1947–2018), Sōtō Zen Rōshi and head abbot of Sozenji Buddhist Temple
Roy I. Sano, Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Nyogen Senzaki (1876–1958), one of the 20th century's leading proponents of Zen Buddhism
Shunryū Suzuki (1904–1971), Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States
Kenneth K. Tanaka, scholar, author, translator and ordained Jōdo Shinshū priest
Mitsumyo Tottori (1898–1976), Shingon Buddhist priest and missionary who was active in Hawaii
Taitetsu Unno, Buddhist scholar, lecturer, and author
Kenryu Takashi Tsuji (1919-2004) Shin Buddhist Minister, Bishop, author, founder of Buddhist Temples, President of Buddhist Churches of America and President of the Institute of Buddhist Studies

Science and technology

Keiiti Aki (1930–2005), seismologist
George I. Fujimoto (1920–2023), chemist
Ted Fujita (1920–1998), creator of the Fujita scale
Chris Hirata, cosmologist and astrophysicist
Harvey Itano (1920–2010), biochemist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Mizuko Ito, cultural anthropologist at the University of California, Irvine
Akiko Iwasaki, immunologist and professor at Yale University
Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist specializing in string field theory
Akihiro Kanamori, mathematician specializing in set theory
Toichiro Kinoshita (1925–2023), theoretical physicist
Jay Kochi (1927–2008), chemist
Dorinne K. Kondo, anthropologist
John Maeda, computer scientist, artist, professor at MIT
Syukuro Manabe, 2021 Nobel Laureate in Physics
Teruhisa Matsusaka (1926–2006), mathematician specializing in algebraic geometry
Yoky Matsuoka, computer scientist; 2007 MacArthur Fellow
Horace Yomishi Mochizuki (1937–1989), mathematician specializing in group theory
Shuji Nakamura, 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics
Yoichiro Nambu (1921–2015), 2008 Nobel Laureate in Physics
Isaac Namioka (1928–2019), mathematician who worked in general topology and functional analysis
Susumu Ohno (1928–2000), geneticist and evolutionary biologist
Ellison Onizuka (1946–1986), first Asian American astronaut; one of the "Challenger Seven"
Ken Ono, mathematician specializing in number theory
Santa J. Ono, immunologist, biologist, 28th President University of Cincinnati, 15th President & Vice-Chancellor University of British Columbia, 15th President University of Michigan
Takashi Ono, mathematician specializing in number theory and algebraic groups
Charles J. Pedersen (1904–1989), 1987 Nobel laureate in Chemistry; his mother was Japanese
J. J. Sakurai (1933–1982)), physicist
Gordon H. Sato (1927–2017), cell biologist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Tsutomu Shimomura, computer security expert
Takamine Jōkichi (1854–1922) successful biochemist who founded one of the earliest pharmaceutical companies (Japanese expatriate)
Daniel M. Tani, astronaut
Takeshi Utsumi, computer simulationist
Lauren Kiyomi Williams, mathematician
Ryuzo Yanagimachi, reproductive biologist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Sho Yano, physician and former child prodigy

Sports

Darwin Barney, MLB player, grandmother is from Japan and grandfather is from Korea.
Steve Caballero, professional skateboarder and musician. In 1999, Thrasher Magazine named Caballero the "Skater of the Century". (Father is Japanese)
Clarissa Chun, American Olympic women's freestyle wrestler. The first female wrestler from Hawaii to win a medal at the Olympics. (Mother is Japanese-American)
Bryan Clay, 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon
Sophia Danenberg, mountain climber best known as the first African American and the first black woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. (Mother is Japanese)
Sean Davis, soccer player for Nashville SC (Mother is Japanese descent)
Paul Dombroski, NFL player
Motohiko Eguchi, judo athlete
Rickie Fowler, professional golfer, maternal grandfather is Japanese
Paul Fujii, professional boxer and WBA Junior Welterweight champion
Tadd Fujikawa, teen golfer
Corey Gaines, NBA player
Robert Griffin III, retired NFL quarterback and 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, born in Japan to American parents
Miki Gorman (1935–2015), two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons; former American and unofficial world record holder in the marathon
Jeremy Guthrie, MLB player, mother is of Japanese descent
Atlee Hammaker, All-Star MLB player, mother is of Japanese descent
Kyle Higashioka, MLB player
Hiroto Hirashima, member of the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame
Takashi "Halo" Hirose, first Japanese American to represent the United States in any international swimming competition, and the first to set a swimming world record
Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder
Nyjah Huston, professional skateboarder who was the overall champion at the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) competition series in 2010, 2012, 2014,and 2017. He is also the highest paid skateboarder in the world. According to the interview he is of part Japanese descent.
Bryan Iguchi, professional snowboarder
Kyoko Ina, first place in the 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships (pairs)
Rena Inoue, first place in the 2004 and 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships (pairs)
Andrei Iosivas, NFL wide receiver born in Japan
Emerick Ishikawa, weightlifter
Travis Ishikawa, MLB player
Jeremy Ito, CFL player
Billy Johnson, professional sports car and stock car racing driver.
Bill Kajikawa, football, basketball, and baseball coach
Evelyn Kawamoto (1933–2017), won two Olympic bronze medals in swimming in 1952
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, MLB player
Kurt Kitayama, professional golfer
Ann Kiyomura, 1975 Wimbledon doubles tennis champion.
Ford Konno, former world record holder, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time Olympic silver medalist in swimming (1952 and 1956)
Tommy Kono (1930–2016), former world record holder, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Olympic silver medalist in weightlifting (1952, 1956, and 1960)
Shogo Kubo, professional skateboarder
Steven Kwan, MLB player
Kyle Larson, Sansei, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion
Brandon League, MLB player
Jay Litherland, competition swimmer
Mike Lum, first American of Japanese ancestry to play in the major leagues
Darin Maki, Nisei professional basketball player and former judo champion
Les Maruo, CFL player
Arthur Matsu, NFL player
Wataru Misaka (1923–2019), professional basketball pioneer, broke the NBA color barrier in 1947
Collin Morikawa, professional golfer
Chad Morton, NFL player
Johnnie Morton, NFL player
Mirai Nagasu, Olympic bronze medalist figure skater and women's singles champion at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Keo Nakama (1920–2011), swimmer and world record holder
Haruki Nakamura, NFL safety, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers
Hikaru Nakamura, chess grandmaster and US champion (2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2019)
Corey Nakatani, jockey with seven wins in Breeders' Cup races
Julius Naranjo, weightlifter, coach, and filmmaker
Teiko Nishi, Sansei, women's basketball starter for UCLA
Lars Nootbaar, professional baseball player
Apolo Anton Ohno, won eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating (two gold) in 2002, 2006, and 2010, as well as a world cup championship
Dan Osman, extreme sport practitioner / rock-climber, known for the dangerous sports of free-soloing. At the time of his legacy, he was considered to be the no. 1 rock-climber in the world. (He was of Japanese and European descent)
Yoshinobu Oyakawa, former world record holder and 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter backstroke
Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Gotoku Sakai
Harold Sakata (1920–1982), 1948 Olympic silver medalist weightlifter, actor, and wrestler
Lenn Sakata, professional baseball player for the World Series Champions Baltimore Orioles
Louie Sakoda, NFL player
Eric Sato, won a 1988 Olympic gold medal in volleyball
Liane Sato, won a 1992 Olympic bronze medal in volleyball
Rocky Seto, NFL coach
Kiefer Sherwood, NHL player (Mother is Japanese)
Alex Shibutani, two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist ice dancer
Maia Shibutani, two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist ice dancer
Kinji Shibuya, professional wrestler and actor
Ashima Shiraishi, American rock climber
Erik Shoji, US National team volleyball player
Kawika Shoji, US National team volleyball player and Erik Shoji's brother
Gyo Shojima, American football center
Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi
Rex Sunahara, NFL player
Kurt Suzuki, MLB player
Robert Swift, NBA player
Derek Tatsuno, baseball player selected to the All-Time All-Star Team of Collegiate Baseball America
Janet Todd, Muay Thai kickboxer and Kickboxing world champion
Shane Victorino, Sansei, MLB player
Don Wakamatsu, Yonsei, MLB's first Japanese-American manager
Rex Walters, NBA player
Peter Westbrook (1952-2024), Olympic fencing bronze medalist and 13-time national champion
Kristi Yamaguchi, Yonsei, won three national figure skating championships, two world titles, and the 1992 Olympic gold medal
Lindsey Yamasaki, professional basketball player (Miami Sol, New York Liberty, San Jose Spiders), Stanford University (basketball, volleyball)
Roger Yasukawa, auto-racing driver (IRL)
Christian Yelich, professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). His maternal grandfather Mineo Dan Oda is Japanese.
Wally Yonamine (1925–2011), football player; first Japanese American in the NFL; professional baseball player in Nippon Professional Baseball League

Other academia

Nobutaka Ike, Stanford University professor of Japanese and East Asian politics
Fujio Matsuda, first Asian-American president of a major American university, as president of the University of Hawaiʻi
James Sakoda (1916–2005), psychologist and origamist

References

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