Pan-Japan, The International Journal of the Japanese Diaspora, is published biannually in affiliation with Illinois State University. The Journal aims to develop research on the “Japanese Diaspora,” the spread of people of Japanese ancestry or origin throughout the world. Though not as well-known as some of the other great migrations of people in human history (such as the Jewish, African, Irish, or Chinese diasporas, to name just a few) Japanese not only now cover the globe economically, but they have been residents of North and South America, Mainland Asia, and the Pacific for numerous generations.
This Journal intends to study the migration of Japanese people across the world’s boundaries. Perspectives we will take range from the sociological to the political, from the legal to the economic. Historical AND current contexts are addressed, and multidisciplinary approaches are especially intended. It should be noted, too, that “diaspora” here is broadly defined; not only do we encourage research on people of Japanese ancestry living abroad, but we also wish to explore the situations of Japanese people returning “home,” or of non-Japanese living or working in Japan. In short, we see “Japan” or “Japanese-ness” as a microcosm of the new global world. By looking at the specific cases discussed in these pages, we hope that lessons might be offered to others interested in migration studies, and immigration and ethnicity in other locales besides Asia. Thus, comments and discussions from “non-Japan” specialists are also encouraged.
In other to bring attention to work that is often ignored due to language, local publication outlets, or venue, this journal will cover articles not only in English, but also in Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish (and perhaps Dutch at a future date). We also are interested in occasional pieces that do not fit the strict definitions of academic discourse; diaries, photographs, “raw data,” or other writings can sometimes tell stories that scholarly articles cannot. Such materials concerning Japanese diaspora studies will also be considered for publication.
Header Images: [Nana, A trip To the Moon, Born, and Gold Cloud] by Mikami Shinichirō