Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Kelowna Japanese Language Society Founder Kumie Ito

1. What does being Japanese Canadian mean to you, and how has that identity influenced your life and values?

   
   

I was born in Japan in the 1970s and received my education there until university. While in university, I met my husband, who was studying abroad in Japan from Canada, and we got married. We both found jobs in Japan, and I worked as a social worker there.

However, after our first child was born, I began to feel limited by the future possibilities for our child in Japan and the limitations of my husband's life as a foreigner in Japan. As a result, we decided to immigrate to Canada. At the time, in 2010, I was 35 years old. This decision was made not for my personal future but for the future of our family as a whole. I believe this is an experience that many immigrant women can relate to. Sometimes, the future of the family must take priority.

To this point, I did not have the opportunity to study or work in Canada. Instead, I raised my children here while supporting my elderly parents back in Japan, eventually saying goodbye to them as they passed away.

The changes in my identity reflect the journey of my life itself. Born and raised as a Japanese woman, I became consciously aware of my identity as a "Japanese woman" and studied feminism in university. After moving to Canada, new facets of my identity, such as being an "immigrant," an "Asian," and a "mother," were added. These experiences have made my life more multi-dimensional and richer.

As for the term "Japanese Canadian," it doesn’t quite feel like it fits me yet. I think it will take more time. However, if I live out my life here in Canada, I might one day naturally be able to say, “I was a Japanese Canadian.” I hope that, as I continue my journey here, I will eventually feel this way.

2. What inspired you to get involved with the Kelowna Japanese Language Society, and what impact do you hope it has on the community?

   
   

I am one of the founders of this initiative. When we first started, there were no Japanese language schools or communities for the children of Japanese immigrants in Kelowna, as there are in Vancouver. I had a strong desire to pass on the Japanese language and culture to children growing up in Canada, but I realized it would be very difficult to do so solely within the family. Therefore, parents with similar aspirations came together to start this initiative.

We began with a monthly children's gathering, and over time, this evolved into the establishment of a Japanese language school. I felt that in addition to learning the language, it was essential for children to actually use Japanese and engage with Japanese culture, which is why I focused on building a supportive community beyond just the school. We worked on involving the local community, throwing events, and opportunities to experience Japanese culture.

Having an active community dedicated to language and cultural preservation, and having this activity embraced by the local community, provides a significant motivation for the children. The sense that they are contributing to society while preserving their language and culture gives them pride and fuels their desire to continue learning. Additionally, I believe that these activities enrich the diversity of the community and serve as a bridge for people from different backgrounds to understand each other.

3. How do you see language playing a role in preserving cultural identity, especially for younger generations of Japanese Canadians? 

   
   

I believe language plays a vital role in preserving cultural identity. It's often said that language is a core part of culture, and I’ve come to truly understand that through my own experiences raising children in Canada.

One particularly valuable concept I encountered here is the idea of “heritage language.” In our family, we use both Japanese and English, but even within what appears to be a single language—Japanese—we’re actually using it in three different ways: I speak Japanese as my native language. My husband, who is Canadian, speaks it as a second language he learned. And our children, who are growing up in Canada, use it as a heritage language.

Heritage language is different from a native language. For example, children may develop stronger listening skills than speaking skills, or they may use expressions that don’t quite exist in Japanese. These unique features of their Japanese actually taught me a lot and makes me see the language from new perspectives. Rather than focusing on how “fluent” they are, I hope my children will find joy in exploring and shaping their own Japanese—building a personal connection to the language that’s meaningful to them.

At the same time, I’ve also learned a great deal from the history of Japanese Canadians. Many of the earlier immigrants who came before the war experienced devastating loss during the internment. Their communities were dismantled, and their ability to pass on the Japanese language to their children was taken from them. I believe the sense of cultural and linguistic loss that resulted still echoes today.

Recognizing this history adds even more meaning to our efforts to maintain the Japanese language. It reminds me that speaking and learning a language is not only a personal or family choice, but also a way to honour those who came before us, and to carry forward a cultural identity that nearly disappeared.

4. Can you share a tradition or cultural practice that is especially meaningful to you or your family?

   
   

I would really love for this question to be asked to my daughter. I’ve always tried to find fun and engaging ways for our family to experience traditional Japanese customs together. For example, during the New Year, I cook ozoni and osechi dishes, and we enjoy kakizome (the first calligraphy of the year). For Setsubun, we throw roasted soybeans to drive away evil spirits. On Tanabata, we decorate bamboo branches inside our home and write our wishes on colorful paper strips. For Hinamatsuri, we display Hina dolls and pray for our daughter’s healthy growth. And for the autumn moon-viewing festival, we eat tsukimi dango and spend quiet time admiring the full moon.

I’d love to ask my daughter what memories have stayed with her most. Her answer would surely be a treasure to me, and I hope to continue cherishing and passing on these traditions together as a family.

5. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a Japanese Canadian—either personally or in your work—and how have they shaped your leadership?　

   
   

In activities related to Asian Heritage Month, topics such as racism and colonialism are essential. However, as a Japanese person, I have struggled with how to engage with these issues. This is because Japan has its own history of colonization in other Asian countries.

During my involvement in AHM, I once met a Korean woman who shared her family's painful experiences under Japanese colonial rule. Within Canada’s Asian communities, I have repeatedly faced the challenge of how to acknowledge this difficult history while still standing in solidarity as Asian Canadians.

One day, that same Korean woman extended a hand to me. She invited me to join her in performing a traditional Korean dance—a beautiful performance using fans. I accepted her invitation, and we danced together on stage during Canada Day. The Korean community welcomed me warmly, and I felt my heart begin to heal.

During that time of inner conflict, an Indigenous person offered me a piece of wisdom: “It takes seven generations to heal from intergenerational trauma.” They told me, “You don’t have to solve everything in your generation. Do what you can, and leave the rest to the next.” That advice brought me great comfort. Realizing that I am part of a much larger historical process and continuing to do what I can within it—that shift in perspective has been a deep source of healing for me.

6. What advice would you give to young Asian Canadians who are trying to reconnect with or feel confident in their cultural heritage?　

   
   

I’m not sure I’m in a position to give advice. If anything, I would really love to hear from younger generations of Asian Canadians. I want to know what they’re experiencing, what they care about, and how they see their identity. I think listening is the most important first step.

GlobalVoice sincerely thanks Kumie Ito for her time and willingness to answer these questions :)

The Kelowna Japanese Language Society website: https://kelownanihongo.ca/

Image found at the cover of this article:

The logo of the Kelowna Japanese Language Society [image]. The Kelowna Japanese Language Society. https://kelownanihongo.ca/