Telling the lesser-known history of Nikkei on the East Coast—a community vastly different from West Coast Japanese Americans—author-historian, consultant, and attorney Daniel H. Inouye explores the unique stories of a divided community of Japanese New Yorkers before World War II. Through a wealth of primary sources, including oral histories, memoirs, newspapers, government documents, photographs, and more, his award-winning book Distant Islands: The Japanese American Community in New York City, 1876–1930s dives into the often unacknowledged rich history of New York Japanese American Issei and Nisei.

Inouye will discuss his book, focusing on a book chapter that examines the experiences of college students. He will be joined by award-winning journalist Fred Katayama who will add a comparative contemporary dimension to the discussion. Katayama will discuss his experiences as a college student and an early career professional in New York City between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Both speakers will address differences in trans-regional Japanese American experiences and answer audience questions.