English | Japanese
My Mum is from Japan (Sendai, in the North), she moved here when she was 21 with the intention of improving her English language skills. My Dad is from the UK (East London, Stepney). After my Mum came to England aged 21, she decided to apply to an Arts college given her interest in and love for Art. There, she met my Dad and they became friends, and the rest is history!
My Mum was pregnant with my older sister by 24, which was unplanned and unexpected, but the start of a happy and fulfilling parenthood for them. When my Mum first came to England, she hadn't come with the intention of staying here but ended up settling here with my Dad and raising myself and my sister. As we lived in East London, where my Dad also grew up, I was immersed in and aware of cockney culture. My childhood was a blend of aspects from both my Mum and Dad's cultures. Food is a massive representation and part of culture, and I have an intense love for both Pie and Mash (thankfully they do veggie versions now!) at traditional East London Pie and Mash shops, and Japanese cuisine (Zaru Soba is my favourite). Day-to-day meals were typically inspired by European flavours, and I have very fond memories of Sunday lunches at my English Grandparents. Japanese meals were a savoured treat whenever my Mum had taken a trip to Soho's Rice Wine Shop (which still exists today) to stock up on Japanese food, including nato, furikake, noodles, and miso, or when a massive box would be sent by my Obaachan (Grandma) from Japan, laden with tasty snacks and Japanese seasoning. Back then, the hype for Japanese culture didn't exist and it was difficult to find Japanese food or flavours within the limited World Food aisles of the Safeways in Bow, our local supermarket. In fact, I'm not even sure such an aisle existed!
Growing up, my parents didn't have much money, so trips to Japan were rare. I have fond memories of my time there, and it's now one of my favourite holiday destinations. This is not only due to the beautiful country that Japan is, but it is extra special given that the country feels like a part of me, or I feel like I am a part of it. Visits to Japan growing up exposed me to Japanese culture, as well as helping me develop my language skills. As an adult, I have been more intentional about learning about Japanese culture and the country's history.
There were very few Japanese people in East London when I was growing up during the 90s and early 2000s. My Mum made friends with the other Japanese Mums, who also had 'Hāfu' children, who shared my experience of a blended UK/Japanese culture. I'm still friends with them to this day and see them as cousins!
Thinking about my name and my sister's name; our first names are Japanese and also international, meaning that they are not necessarily exclusively Japanese names. My sister and I both have two middle names - for both of us, the first is our Grandma's name. For me, that's 'Mitsuko'; the name of my Obaachan (Japanese Grandma) and for my sister, Aska, that's 'Eileen'; the name of my Nan (English Grandma). I love that through our names, our Grandmas will continue to live on.
Growing up there were very few East Asian children around me. I went to a school with mostly Bangladeshi children, reflecting the area I grew up in. Due to racist remarks (targeting my Japanese side) during primary school from some of my classmates, I think I leant more towards my English side growing up. Reflecting on it, that's really sad isn't it? I remember there was even a period I went through that I wanted to change my name to a more English sounding one, which actually embarrasses me now as I deeply love and appreciate my name and my mix. After primary school, my secondary school was very diverse and had a focus on languages and prided itself on being international, and I had also come to be more confident and proud of my heritage.
To help tackle racial inequality, I think mixing between people from different cultures and backgrounds should be encouraged and normalised. I am eternally thankful that I grew up exposed to such a diverse range of cultures and have been able to travel to different countries from Sri Lanka to Nigeria, and Bangladesh to Vietnam. And when I say travel to, I don't mean via a package holiday or sitting by the pool, but by volunteering, staying with people who live there, or making conscious efforts to immerse myself in and learn about the country's history and culture. I think some people are actually fearful or have a dislike of people who are different to them but have actually never sat down and had a conversation together or shared a meal. This exposure and interaction will help people realise that WE ARE ALL HUMAN, and the absurdity that is racism needs to end.
Love is love and I believe that individuals should be free to love regardless of gender, ethnicity, and so on. This is a stark contrast from my Grandparents' generation where interracial relationships were largely condemned and frowned upon. I have this vision where in, I don't know, 100, 200 years’ time, everyone will be mixed and that will be the norm. I think that's so exciting, living in a diverse world, with such a blend of cultures. I actually met my current partner as I spotted him (at Notting Hill Carnival) and knew he was partly Asian. It turned out he is quarter Japanese!
Despite some racist remarks during primary school, I think my identity has largely resulted in positive reactions. Everyone seems to love Japan now, and I happily provide advice when friends or colleagues are planning trips there. While I'm mixed-race, I look White and therefore acknowledge my White privilege. I think growing up in an interracial household and being exposed to a range of cultures from an early age has allowed me to be more empathetic as a person, and also more aware of the injustices relating to race.
I know a handful of people who have the same mix as me. To my knowledge, I don't know anyone with my mix or a similar mix to me at work within a senior position, and I guess the same can be said within media and educational institutes. For me, an important point about representation is socio-economic background. When thinking about role models and being represented, having my socio-economic background represented within senior positions at work, within the media, within government, is more important to me than someone sharing my exact ethnic background. Just as I am, but into a world where people are kinder, and difference is embraced more.
In 2020, I started (suddenly) working from home in light of the first lockdown in the UK. At first I was motivated and saw it as an opportunity to get ahead with my dissertation I was conducting as part of my part-time Master's degree, alongside my full-time role. To support my wellbeing, I took up running. I was definitely one of many individuals who started running during that time! As the lockdown continued, along with home-working, I woke up later and later each day and tended to roll-out of bed, switch on my laptop, and start working. Reflecting on my lack of a morning routine which was positively conducive to my wellbeing, this year I have decided to adopt a 6-step morning routine, involving meditation, gratitude, reading and exercise, which helps set me up for the day. I've noticed a positive difference and will be continuing this intentional focus on my morning routine beyond the pandemic.