Intimate Strangers: Shin Issei Women and Contemporary Japanese American Community, 1980-2020

Twenty-something Japanese women migrated to Southern California with few skills and human capital, seeking economic opportunities. Intimate Strangers explores their experiences of precarity, inequality, and marginality in Japan and the United States, highlighting their resilience and active agency in creating new lives. The book also examines the transformation of the Nikkei community through the inclusion of shin Issei and the tensions around intergroup negotiations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2023
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

In the late 1990s, a significant number of twenty-something Japanese women embarked on a journey to Southern California, driven by a desire for economic opportunities that were unavailable in their homeland. These women, belonging to the shin Issei community, sought to escape the constraints of gendered social structures and pursue a better life in the United States. However, their experiences were compounded by various challenges, including citizenship issues.

Intimate Strangers, a groundbreaking book by Toyota, delves into the lives of these shin Issei women, shedding light on their experiences of precarity, inequality, and marginalization. The book begins by exploring their lives in Japan, where they were restricted by gendered social norms and faced limited opportunities. It then transitions to their journey to the United States, where they faced new barriers and encountered a different set of challenges.

Through intimate and personal narratives, the book charts the resilience and determination of these shin Issei women as they navigate their way through unfamiliar territories. It highlights their struggles to establish themselves in a new society, adapt to different cultural norms, and overcome the challenges of discrimination and marginalization. Toyota's portrayal of these women is nuanced and empathetic, capturing their strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

One of the key themes of Intimate Strangers is the transformation of the Nikkei community (Americans of Japanese ancestry who were born in the United States) through the inclusion of shin Issei. Toyota explores the tensions and negotiations that arise between the different generations within the community as they grapple with issues of race, identity, and the possibility of common belonging. The book sheds light on the complexities and challenges of intergroup relations, highlighting the need for empathy, understanding, and dialogue to bridge cultural divides.

Intimate Strangers is a profound study of migration and community incorporation that unfolds against the backdrop of cultural differences and processes. It offers a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the experiences of immigrants and their integration into new societies. The book challenges traditional narratives of migration and highlights the resilience and agency of individuals who are willing to overcome obstacles and forge new paths.

In conclusion, Intimate Strangers is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of migration, cultural integration, and the experiences of immigrants. Toyota's book provides a powerful and insightful account of the lives of shin Issei women and their journey to the United States. It sheds light on the challenges they faced and the resilience they exhibited in the face of adversity. Through its exploration of intergroup relations and the search for common belonging, the book offers valuable insights into the dynamics of migration and the potential for building inclusive and diverse communities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439923528