Japanese American Population
Sixth largest Asian American group with a population of 795,051 (Japanese only).
About 1.68 million Asians reported more then one Asian group or race in Census 2000 and are not included in these numbers. Actual number of Japanese would thus be more.
Japanese American population declined 6.3% from 1990-2000. The 1990 Census reported 847,562 Japanese residents (52% in California; 41% in Hawaii). The 2000 Census reported 796,700 Japanese residents (with similar distribution patterns).
Comprise for 7.77% of the Asian American population and 0.28% of the US population.
Fewer Japanese have immigrated to the US since 1990-2000 and those already in this country have high rates of inter-racial marriage.
Leading States
Leading US States for Japanese American population are California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Japantowns
Japantown is a common name for local community conclaves in big cities. They are also called Little Tokyos, Nihonmachis or J-towns.
Popular Japantowns could be found in San Francisco CA, San Jose CA and the Little Tokyo in Los Angeles CA.
Generations
Japanese Americans have special names for each of its generations in the United States. The first generation born in Japan or Okinawa, is called Issei. The second generation is Nisei, third is Sansei, fourth is Yonsei and fifth is Gosei. The term Nikkei was coined by Japanese American sociologists and encompasses the entire population across generations.
Language
Limited English Proficiency of 21%.
Issei (first generation) and Nisei (second generation) speak Japanese or Okinawan in addition to English as a second language. Later generations speak English as their first language and Japanese as a second language.
Interracial
Japanese were more likely to report one or more other races or Asian groups with 4.8% reporting Japanese with one or more other Asian groups, 21% reporting Japanese with one or more other races and 4.8 reporting in addition or one or more other races and Asian groups.
Education
Japanese American culture places great value on the education of its youth. Across generations, parents tend to push their children to study for long hours and venture into advanced subjects.
About 28% of Japanese Americans have a bachelors degree or higher.
Incomes
Median Household Income of $51,981
Per capita Income of $25,576
Home Ownerships
Home Ownership rate of 60%
Average Household size of 2.25 people
Religion
Japanese Americans are typically Christians. Only a small minority are also followers of Mahayana Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and sectarian Shinto.
After Filipino Americans, Japanese Americans are the second largest Asian Christian community. The church is one of the most important cultural foundations for Japanese Americans.
Celebrations
Japanese Americans tend to discard original religious values for most of its cultural celebrations and holidays. Instead, such celebrations are sectarian in nature and focus on the community-sharing aspects.
Farming
Japanese Americans have made significant contributions to the agriculture in the western United States, particularly in California and Hawaii.