Already a member? Log in here.
Reconnect with Your Roots—Learn Japanese for Nikkei, by Nikkei
A welcoming, learner-centered space for Nikkei from around the world to (re)connect with their cultural heritage through the Japanese language.
What is Japanese for Nikkei?
Japanese for Nikkei is a special course series, created to help you (re)connect with your heritage through the Japanese language.
We use "Nikkei" (日系) as an inclusive term for people of Japanese ancestry — including those from multiracial, multicultural, and diasporic backgrounds.
Originally launched as a separate platform in 2020 by co-founders Mimi Okabe and Sachi Kikuchi, Japanese for Nikkei was built for Nikkei, by Nikkei — with a focus on supporting learners from multicultural, multiracial, and diasporic backgrounds.
Our small, supportive classes (maximum 15 learners) and learner-centered approach are designed to help you build both your language skills and confidence as a member of the global Nikkei community.
Today, Kokoro Communications is proud to carry the mission of Japanese for Nikkei forward.
Meet Dr. Mimi Okabe, Creator of Japanese for Nikkei’s Curriculum
Hello! I'm Mimi Okabe, a Japanese Canadian educator and (former) co-founder of Japanese for Nikkei, an initiative I started in 2020 with my childhood friend Sachi Kikuchi to help people of Japanese descent reconnect with their heritage through language and culture.
Growing up bicultural and bilingual, I learned the value of cultural connection early on, which shaped our mission to build a supportive, identity-affirming community.
Our work was recognized with the “Pitch for Success” award by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council in 2021. Since then, we've shared our research at conferences such as ACTFL and CAJLE, focusing on heritage language education, antiracist pedagogy, and culturally responsive curriculum design. These insights directly inform our learner-centered platform tailored to Nikkei communities.
I believe that language is a powerful tool for connecting people to their cultural heritage, and I am excited to continue contributing to this important work from my new position at Baruch College where I serve as an assistant professor of Japanese Language, Literature and Culture.
This service is for you if…
You have Japanese ancestry and want to (re)connect with your heritage through language.
You come from a multicultural or multiracial background and are seeking a welcoming, culturally sensitive learning space.
You feel unseen in traditional Japanese classes and want a program that understands your unique journey.
You want to build confidence in both your Japanese language skills and your cultural identity.
Wherever you are in your journey, you’ll find a supportive community here.
Our Courses: Designed for Nikkei Learners
The Heritage Language for Beginners Series is a three-part journey designed to help you build confidence, reconnect with your heritage, and strengthen your Japanese language skills — all in a supportive, culturally sensitive environment.
Each course runs over eight weeks in small online classrooms (no more than 15 learners) with personalized guidance from our instructors.
Whether you're starting from scratch or brushing up your skills, we’re here to support your journey at every stage.
Heritage Language for Beginners Level 1
Start your journey with confidence.
This 8-week course is designed for Nikkei learners with little or no previous experience studying Japanese.
You'll start building a foundation in everyday communication, cultural knowledge, and basic reading skills.
By the end of Level 1, you'll be able to:
Exchange greetings, personal information, and talk about daily life.
Handle basic tasks like shopping, ordering food, and giving directions.
Use formal speech style and conjugate simple verbs.
Recognize hiragana and katakana.
Build pride and confidence in your heritage and language skills.
Heritage Language for Beginners Level 2
Take your next steps in Japanese.
Part II builds on the foundation from Part I. It’s perfect for Nikkei learners ready to start forming more complex sentences and expressing personal thoughts.
By the end of Level 2, you'll be able to:
Talk about likes, dislikes, and give explanations.
Use both past and non-past tense in formal and informal speech.
Conjugate verbs and adjectives.
Begin reading basic kanji alongside hiragana and katakana.
Strengthen your connection to Japanese culture and identity.
Heritage Language for Beginners Level 3
Express yourself fully and naturally.
This final course in the Beginner Series helps you move beyond basic conversations, preparing you for more advanced studies.
By the end of Level 3, you'll be able to:
Express hopes, desires, and make recommendations.
Use complex sentence structures with confidence.
Speak naturally in both formal and informal styles.
Arrange plans and future meetings.
Read hiragana, katakana, and additional basic kanji.
Resources for the Community
We are proud to offer free resources that celebrate the voices, stories, and experiences of the global Nikkei community.
You can also explore the full YouTube playlist!
“I like learning Japanese with other Nikkei students because I feel like we are all in it together and have a bigger goal than simply learning a language -- we are strengthening our connections to family members, our history, and our identities. It was so nice to meet other Nikkei students from across the country. Sachi is a great teacher and provides her gentle, warm guidance in every class!”
— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 1, 2021
“I felt much more comfortable in heritage class than I have in any of my other language courses. People have different backgrounds but we have a shared heritage and a desire to learn the language of that heritage and that is super cool to me. Mimi was extremely encouraging and enthusiastic, which made me feel comfortable making mistakes, which is how you learn!”
— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 2, 2022
“For us Nikkei, it can be incredibly difficult and discouraging to take a Japanese language class, but Japanese for Nikkei is the perfect environment for us to feel welcome and accept ourselves as we are! Thank you Mimi and Sachi!”
— Heritage Language for Beginners, Part 3, 2022
“Mimi and Sachi do an amazing job of creating a supportive, positive, and cozy environment for every student. Their warmth is infectious and sets the tone for the entire class. It's more than just a language-learning class. I feel like we're all on a journey together of figuring out who we are as Nikkei people and making new connections. Thank you Mimi and Sachi for all of your hard work and guidance!”
— Heritage Language for Beginners, Level 2, 2023
FAQs
-
No. Beginners Level I is designed for Nikkei learners with little to no previous Japanese study. We’ll start from the basics, with a focus on everyday conversation and cultural understanding.
-
It depends on your comfort level!
If you can already handle simple conversations and recognize hiragana and katakana, Beginners Level 2 or Level 3 might be a better fit.
Feel free to try the placement quizzes if you’re not sure. If you’re still stuck, please get in touch — we’re happy to help you choose. -
Our courses are specially designed for Nikkei learners — people of Japanese ancestry from multicultural, multiracial, and diasporic backgrounds.
If you feel a personal connection to Japanese heritage and want to reconnect through language, you’re welcome here. -
Each class is limited to a maximum of 15 learners.
We keep our classes small to make sure you get individualized support and plenty of opportunities to practice. -
All classes are taught live on Zoom with an experienced instructor.
You’ll also get full access to course materials, including workbooks and practice activities. -
We understand that life happens!
Class sessions are recorded, and course materials are always available. You can also reach out to your instructor for additional support.
We recommend attending live whenever possible for the best learning experience. -
We focus primarily on speaking and listening to help you build real-world communication skills.
However, you will also learn to read hiragana and katakana (and a few basic kanji as you progress). -
Please join the newsletter or waitlist for the course of your choice to be the first to know when new classes open!
Ready to (re)connect with your Japanese roots?
Join a welcoming community of Nikkei learners and start your language journey with us.
Whether you're beginning from scratch or picking up where you left off, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We look forward to meeting you!