Fostering a sense of belonging
“The mistreatment of LGBTQ+ Nikkei in the community reveals its closed-mindedness toward their own diverse people. Yet, at the same time, Japanese Americans are very much aware of and active in social justice because of the wartime mass incarceration. Letters to Home accomplished something incredible by exposing the still-remained homophobic nature of the Nikkei community that has not been sufficiently discussed and criticized.”
Yuki Obayashi, NichiBei News, 7/17/25.
New Collection features Queer and Nikkei experiences through art and TExt
“What is distinct about Letters is the inclusion of diverse Nikkei authors who, in addition to identifying as Queer, also represent several lesser-known subgroups within the co-ethnic community, including those who are bilingual, multiethnic, and multiracial.”
Rachel Endo, International Examiner, 7/6/25.
Voicing the Queer Nikkei Experience: Okaeri’s ‘Letters to Home’ Book Launch
“Indeed, both the book launch and ‘Letters to Home’ itself embody Okaeri’s hope that the voices of all LGBTQ+ Nikkei and allies are visible, heard, and able to help others find a community to call home, even in the most challenging of times.”
Cody Uyeda, Rafu Shimpo, 12/1/2024.
Why a Queer Matsuri Matters: Okaeri Matsuri 2024 and the Creation of a Cultural Celebration for LGBTQ+ Nikkei
“It [Okaeri Matsuri] provides a culturally informed yet affirming space for LGBTQ+ Nikkei that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, and its creation, despite obstacles and resistance, reflects the idea that the Nikkei LGBTQ+ community will always persist and find joy in their authentic selves.”
Cody Uyeda, Rafu Shimpo, 9/22/2024.
Okaeri Matsuri 2024
“Okaeri stands as a beacon of solidarity and empowerment, dedicated to fostering acceptance, understanding, and a sense of belonging for all members of the LGBTQ+ Nikkei community and their families.”
Marie Sekiguchi, Rafu Shimpo, 7/31/24.
A Mother’s Take: Coming Home, Celebration and Community Okaeri Matsuri
“This was like a homecoming. I saw many friends that I came to know during my college years in Southern California. None of us were really out as LGBTQ+ in those early days, but here we all were in the same space reconnecting as our true selves, feeling safe and no longer having to hide who we were.”
Marsha Aizumi, Pacific Citizen, 7/26/24.
Okaeri 2023: A Beautiful and Transformative Conference
“I was honored to be part of such a large gathering of queer and trans Nikkei. My feelings of shame were replaced with pride…I finally felt comfortable to be my authentic self among other queer Nikkei at this year’s hybrid conference.”
Jasmine Kono-Song, Rafu Shimpo, 1/25/24.
Okaeri Holds Inaugural Queer Obon in Little Tokyo
“Obon is…a Nikkei summer gathering to honor and reflect on lost loved ones and joyful, diverse communities. Okaeri continues this tradition with an inclusive festival of queer joy, remembrance, and belonging.”
Anonymous, Rafu Shimpo, 7/11/23.
Okaeri wants a world where all LGBTQ+ Nikkei feel safe, loved, and at home
“One of the big takeaways from that virtual event is that there are a variety of ways to come out. Each journey is unique and each individual has to find the courage to take risks to be true to themselves. A highlight of the event was hearing the presenters share advice they would give their younger selves. They spoke of how they would tell their younger selves that they are worthy of love and that they would find love. Because the panelists were honest and vulnerable, they touched audience members’ hearts and created greater compassion for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Marsha Aizumi, Densho, 6/22/21.
Creating Space For Queer Nikkei: Okaeri holds online conference to educate and form community
“I hadn’t realized I’d felt so alone in that very specific way until I started meeting other LGBT Japanese Americans and it was this really overwhelming thing because it was like, how amazing is it that like, the world is so huge, but also somehow small enough for us to find each other?”
Tomo Hirai, Nichi Bei, 12/9/21.
Coming Out, Coming Home
“Okaeri, which means ‘welcome home’ in Japanese, is an apt name for the group. And it was also an appropriate term for that moment in my life. Soon after returning to Los Angeles, I found a space where I could integrate my Nikkei and gay identities and feel fully at home.”
Stan Yogi, Discover Nikkei, 9/11/20.
Okaeri’s Ripple Effect
“I think what amazes all of us is the ripple effect that Okaeri has had on the Nikkei and the API community in other cities…We have also heard stories of people coming out to their family and friends after attending Okaeri.”
J.K. Yamamoto, Rafu Market, 10/13/16.
In California, A 'Welcome Home' For The Japanese-American Queer Community
“Afterwards, Aizumi was contacted by numerous participants who were inspired by the conference to come out to their own families, or who used the conference as a time of reconciliation with family members who had ostracized them in the past.”
Hugh Ryan, Codeswitch, 4/2/16.
Family, Friends, and Allies
“It’s people from outside your community seeing the justice in your cause. It is so easy to rally around your own self-interest, but it is so difficult to recognize the justice in another community’s cause and to decide that you’re going to stand up for them, not because of your self-interest but because of justice. Because it’s the right thing to do…”
J.K. Yamamoto, Rafu Shimpo, 12/04/14.