People of Afro-Japanese heritage like me (I am Ghanaian-Japanese) are not considered “true” Japanese due to our darker complexion. People like me are often bullied at school or made to feel like foreigners in our own country. However, we represent Japan too; we are becoming more visible and growing in number. From Naomi Osaka, the tennis player, to Rui Hachimura, the NBA player, or Ariana Miyamoto and Aisha Harumi Tochigi, Miss Universe Japan 2015 and 2020, respectively, and many more. We are part of Japan and deserve societal acceptance as Japanese people.
