Kokujin Experiences: The Evolution of Blackness in Japan
To celebrate Black History Month in Japan, Jaspora partnered with CIC Tokyo, Japans largest innovation center, to organize our second event of the year, "Kokujin Experiences: The Evolution of Blackness in Japan" , a reference to the Japanese word for black people.
Prominent black activists, scholars, public figures, and everyday students reflected on challenges and opportunities black people face in Japan, the 2020 BLM protests, biracial identity, racism and much more within the Japanese context. We had an extremely successful event with over 250 participants from over 20 countries joining in on Clubhouse, Zoom and in-person at CIC Tokyo. Our fantastic panelists and audience contributors shared many insightful experiences as our audience engaged in deep, thought provoking discussions on the black experience in Japan.
We were also very fortunate to have the event featured on NHK World Japan.
Speakers:
- John G Russell, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Gifu University (USA)
-Warren Stanislaus, Associate Lecturer at Rikkyo University (UK)
-Aisha Tochigi, Aisha Tochigi, Miss Universe Japan 2020 (Ghana/ Japan)
-Loren Fykes, President of Pride Business Alliance (USA)
-Baye McNeil, Japan Times columnist (USA)
-Bongekile Motsa, Student at International Christian University (Eswatini)
