To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Japanese American or must have references showing they are Japanese American and are notable.
This is a list of Japanese Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants, but not Japanese nationals living or working in the US. The list includes a brief description of their reason for notability.
Arts and architecture
Nina Akamu, artist
Shusaku Arakawa (1936–2010), artist and architect
Ruth Asawa (1926–2013), sculptor
Hideo Date (1907–2005), painter associated with Synchromism movement
Isami Doi (1903–1965), printmaker and painter
Paul Horiuchi (1906–1999), painter and collagist
Ben Kamihira (1924–2004), artist and teacher
Jeff Matsuda, Emmy award-winning concept artist, comics artist, and animator
John Matsudaira (1922–2007), painter
George Matsumoto (1922–2016), architect and educator
Jimmy Mirikitani (1920–2012), painter
Luna H. Mitani, surrealist painter
Masayuki Oda (1950–2012), sculptor
Robert Murase (1938–2005), world-renowned landscape architect
Hashime Murayama (1879–1954), painter
George Nakashima (1905–1990), Nisei, woodworker, architect, and furniture maker
Hideo Noda (1908–1939), modernist painter and muralist
Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), artist, sculptor, designer
Kenjiro Nomura (1896–1956), painter
Chiura Obata (1885–1975), well-known artist and recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class, for promoting goodwill and cultural understanding between the United States and Japan
Masi Oka, actor and digital effects artist, raised in the US
Arthur Okamura (1932–2009), California painter, illustrator and screen-printer associated with the San Francisco Renaissance
Miné Okubo (1912–2001), Nisei, painter, author of Citizen 13660, her book documenting life during her confinement in the Japanese American internment
Yoko Ono (1933–), artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon
Sueo Serisawa (1910–2004), Issei, Californian Impressionist artist
Toshiko Takaezu (1922–2011), born and died in Hawaii; ceramic artist and painter; known for closed pots and cylindrical vessels
Adrian Tomine, graphic novelist (Shortcomings)
George Tsutakawa (1910–1997), sculptor and painter
Minoru Yamasaki (1912–1986), Nisei, architect, best known for the New York World Trade Center "Twin Towers"
Business and economics
Takeshi Amemiya, economist, Stanford professor
Hiroaki Aoki, founder of Benihana
Glen Fukushima, co-President and Representative Director, NCR Japan, Ltd., and former President, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Francis Fukuyama, economist and historian
Robert Hamada, Edward Eagle Brown Distinguished Service Professor of Finance; former Dean of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Wayne Inouye, former President and CEO of Gateway, Inc.
Roy Kusumoto, founder of Solectron
Nobu Matsuhisa, founder of Nobu and Matsuhisa
Bill Naito (1925–1996), prominent businessman in Portland, Oregon
Alice Sae Teshima Noda (1894—1964), businesswoman, dental hygienist, and beauty industry entrepreneur
Scott Oki, former Senior Vice President of sales and marketing at Microsoft
William Saito, founder of I/O Software, Inc. (acquired by Microsoft in 2004), venture capitalist and public policy consultant
Richard Sakai, producer and President of Gracie Films
George Shima (1864–1926), the first Japanese American millionaire
Gary A. Tanaka, financier
Dave Tatsuno, businessman and filmmaker
Kevin Tsujihara, CEO, Warner Brothers
Ken Uston, blackjack player, strategist, and author
Keiko Agena, actress (Gilmore Girls TV series)
Jhene Aiko, singer/songwriter; father is African-American, maternal grandfather is Japanese-American (Nisei), maternal grandmother is Spanish and Afro-Dominican
Asa Akira, pornographic actress and director
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Shin-Issei, musician, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and big band leader
Shuko Akune, actress
Daniella Alonso, actress (father is of part Japanese descent)
Devon Aoki, model and actress (half Japanese)
Steve Aoki, house musician and record producer
Tsuru Aoki (1892–1961), Issei, actress
Gregg Araki, film director
Fred Armisen, actor and comedian
Nadia Azzi, pianist
Dean Cain, actor; paternal grandfather is of Japanese descent
Asia Carrera (née Jessica Andrea Steinhauser), former pornographic actress; half Japanese
Louis Ozawa Changchien, actor; half Japanese
Ian Anthony Dale, actor (Mr. 3000); mother is Japanese, father is French-English
Marié Digby, singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist; half Japanese
Marie Eguro, actress, model, musician
Yvonne Elliman, singer, songwriter (mother is Japanese)
Takayo Fischer, Nisei, actress
Tak Fujimoto, Nisei, cinematographer of many Hollywood films, including The Silence of the Lambs and Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, silent movie actor, Essanay Studios of Chicago
Koichi Fukuda, Static X band member
Karen Fukuhara, actress
Umi Garrett, pianist
Tom Gorai, film producer
Midori Gotō, classical violinist and recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize
Ryu Goto, violinist
Ann Harada, actress (musical Avenue Q)
Kayo Hatta (1958–2005), filmmaker (Sundance Award winner Picture Bride)
Sessue Hayakawa (1889–1973), Issei, Academy Award-nominated actor
Matt Heafy, lead vocalist of band Trivium; mother is Japanese
Don Henrie, self-proclaimed vampire and an "Alt" on the short-lived Sci Fi Channel series Mad Mad House; half Japanese
Ryan Higa, YouTube celebrity, actor, comedian, and producer
Satoshi Hino, voice actor
Gina Hiraizumi, Yonsei, actress, singer
Shizuko Hoshi, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actress
James Iha, guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins and A Perfect Circle
Jeff Imada, actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator
Grant Imahara, Yonsei, builder and host on MythBusters TV series on Discovery Channel
Carrie Ann Inaba, dancer, actress
Joe Inoue, pop and rock musician
Tatsuya Ishida, creator of the webcomic Sinfest
Miki Ishikawa, actress
Miyuki Melody Ishikawa, singer and former host of NHK World TV music show J-Melo
Maryanne Ito, soul singer, songwriter, and performer
Robert Ito, Nisei (Canadian-born), actor, best known as "Dr. Sam Fujiyama" on the TV series Quincy, M.E.
Yuna Ito, singer and actress, also of half Korean descent
Mila J, singer, rapper, dancer; sister of Jhene Aiko
Jero, born Jerome Charles White, Jr., enka singer in Japan; grandmother was Japanese
Rodney Kageyama, Nisei, actor
Janice Kawaye, voice actress
Hayley Kiyoko, actress, singer
Ariane Koizumi, film actress
Hokuto "Hok" Konishi, dancer and b-boy, member of the season three-winning crew on America's Best Dance Crew
Kane Kosugi, actor and martial artist, son of Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor and martial artist
Shin Koyamada, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor, producer, philanthropist, and martial artist
Asako Kozuki, voice actress
Emily Kuroda, actress (Gilmore Girls TV series)
Karyn Kusama, director
Clyde Kusatsu, actor
George Kuwa (1885-1931), actor
Bob Kuwahara, animator for Walt Disney and Terrytoons; created Hashimoto-san series
Dan Kwong, performance artist, writer, playwright (Be Like Water)
Jeff LaBar, guitarist of Cinderella
Jake E. Lee, heavy metal guitarist, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and in his own band Badlands
Sean Ono Lennon, Hapa Nisei, musician, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono
James Hiroyuki Liao, actor; half Japanese
Olivia Lufkin, singer, songwriter
Mackenyu, actor
Mako (1933–2006), Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor, Academy Award nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (The Sand Pebbles), Tony Award nominee for Best Actor (Pacific Overtures), founder of East West Players
Lily Mariye, actress (ER), filmmaker
Keiko Matsui, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), jazz musician
Kent Matsuoka, Nisei producer and location manager
Nobu McCarthy (1934–2002), Kibei (Canadian-born), actress (Farewell to Manzanar, Wake Me When It's Over, Walk Like A Dragon)
Meiko, L.A.-based singer/songwriter; one-quarter Japanese on her mother's side
Anne Akiko Meyers, classical violinist
Derek Mio, Yonsei, actor (TV series Greek, Day One)
Kim Miyori, actress (St. Elsewhere TV series)
Pat Morita (1932–2005), Nisei, Academy Award-nominated actor and comedian
Glen Murakami, animator, director, producer
Doris Muramatsu, Girlyman band member
Alan Muraoka, actor and theatre director who plays the current owner of Hooper's Store on Sesame Street
Kent Nagano, conductor, Los Angeles Symphony
Robert A. Nakamura, filmmaker, co-founder of Visual Communications, teacher
Suzy Nakamura, Sansei, actress
Desmond Nakano, Sansei, film director (White Man's Burden, American Pastime) and screenwriter (Last Exit to Brooklyn, American Me, White Man's Burden, American Pastime)
Ken Narasaki, Sansei, actor, playwright
Hiro Narita, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), cinematographer
Lane Nishikawa, Sansei, actor, filmmaker, playwright and performance artist
Kevin "KevNish" Nishimura, musician, member of the Far East Movement (half Japanese)
George Nozuka, R&B singer
Justin Nozuka, singer, younger brother of George Nozuka
Philip Nozuka, actor, younger brother of George Nozuka
Sophie Tamiko Oda (1991– ), child actress
Masi Oka, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), Golden Globe-nominated television actor (Heroes)
Daryn Okada, cinematographer, current president of American Society of Cinematographers
Steven Okazaki, Sansei, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Ryo Okumoto, Spock's Beard band member
Yuji Okumoto, Sansei, actor
Lisa Onodera, film producer (Picture Bride, The Debut, Americanese)
Ken and Miye Ota, champion ballroom dancers, martial artists (Aikido and Judo)
Seiji Ozawa, conductor, director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973–2002
Ryan Potter, actor and martial artist
Douglas Robb, lead singer of Hoobastank, Japanese mother
Bianca Ryan, winner of America's Got Talent, mother is half Japanese
Nick Sakai, actor and producer
Stan Sakai, cartoonist, creator of Usagi Yojimbo comic series
Harold Sakata (1920–1982), Nisei, actor ("Odd Job" from James Bond film Goldfinger) and wrestler (see also "Sports" section)
Tony Sano, game show host
Reiko Sato (1931–1981), Nisei, dancer and actress (Flower Drum Song, The Ugly American)
Kylee Saunders, singer based in Japan
Toshi Seeger, filmmaker and environmental activist, founder of the Clearwater Festival
James Shigeta (1929–2014), Sansei, actor (Bridge to the Sun, Crimson Kimono, Flower Drum Song, Walk Like A Dragon) and American popular standards singer
Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele virtuoso
Yuki Shimoda (1921–1981), Nisei, actor
Sab Shimono, actor
Larry Shinoda, automotive designer noted for his work on the Corvette and the Boss 302 Mustang
Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park band member; father is Japanese
Jack Soo (Goro Suzuki) (1916–1979), Nisei, actor (Flower Drum Song, portrayed Det. Sgt. Nick Yemana in Barney Miller TV series)
Stephanie, singer (half Japanese)
Pat Suzuki, Nisei, American popular standards singer and actress (Flower Drum Song Original Broadway Cast)
Shoji Tabuchi, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), famous fiddler
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), actor
Kobe Tai, porn star (half Taiwanese and half Japanese)
Rea Tajiri, Sansei, filmmaker
Miiko Taka, Nisei, actress, starred opposite Marlon Brando in Sayonara
Iwao Takamoto (1925–2007), Nisei, animator/producer for Hanna Barbera, creator of Scooby-Doo
Cyril Takayama, illusionist
George Takei, Nisei, actor, "Sulu" from Star Trek TV series and films
Sara Tanaka, actress
Chris Tashima, Sansei, actor, Academy Award-winning director (Visas and Virtue)
Teppei Teranishi, Thrice band member
Brian Tochi, Sansei, actor
Tamlyn Tomita, Sansei on father's side (mother is Japanese/Filipina), actress
Miyoshi Umeki (1929–2007), Shin-Issei, Academy Award-winning actress (Sayonara) and American popular standards singer
Michael Toshiyuki Uno, Academy Award-nominated director
Hikaru Utada, singer/songwriter. Multi-million selling Japanese pop music star. Topped Billboard Club chart with "Devil Inside" in 2004
Gedde Watanabe, Sansei, actor, Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles
Don "the Dragon" Wilson, Hapa, actor in Hollywood action films, mother is Japanese (see also Sports below)
Rachael Yamagata, Hapa, Yonsei, singer, songwriter, pianist (Sansei father and German-Italian mother)
Hiro Yamamoto, original bass player for Soundgarden
Iris Yamashita, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter (Letters from Iwo Jima)
Sotaro Yasuda, actor
Patti Yasutake, actress who played "Nurse Alyssa Ogawa" on Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series
Kwan-Ichi Asakawa (1873–1948), historian, professor at Yale
Yamato Ichihashi (1878–1963), one of the first Asian academics in the US
Yuji Ichioka (1936–2002), historian, coined the term "Asian American"
Akira Iriye, historian, professor at Harvard
Ronald Takaki (1939–2009), historian, University of California, Berkeley professor
Literature and poetry
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, poet, wrote the first American Tanka poetry book in 1923, TANKA: Poems in Exile
Dale Furutani, novelist
Philip Kan Gotanda, Sansei, playwright
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Nisei, novelist, author of Farewell to Manzanar
Naomi Iizuka, Shin-Issei (Japanese-born), playwright
Ayako Ishigaki (1903-1996), Issei, journalist and memoirist
Lawson Fusao Inada, Nisei, poet and current poet laureate of the state of Oregon
Cynthia Kadohata, novelist and winner of the Newbery Medal for children's literature
Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Nisei, poet, playwright, actor
Soji Kashiwagi, Sansei, playwright and producer (Grateful Crane Ensemble theater company)
David Mura (1952- ), poet, memoirist, and novelist
John Okada (1923–1971), author of No-No Boy
Julie Otsuka (1962– ), novelist
Ruth Ozeki (1956- ), novelist
Albert Saijo, poet
Toyo Suyemoto, poet, memoirist, and librarian
Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto (1874-1950), memoirist
Yoshiko Uchida (1921–1992), Nisei, author
Michi Weglyn, author
Hisaye Yamamoto (1921–2011), award-winning short story writer
Wakako Yamauchi, Nisei, playwright
Taro Yashima (1908–1994), author and illustrator
Shannon Hori Cogan, anchor, WAVE 3, Louisville and former anchor, WFOR/CBS 4, Miami
Ann Curry, former network anchor and correspondent for NBC News and The Today Show
Dina Eastwood, anchor
Jun Fujita (1888–1963), Issei, photographer/photojournalist
Rob Fukuzaki, sports anchor, ABC7, Los Angeles
James Hattori, former network correspondent, CBS News and CNN and former weekend anchor, KRON, San Francisco
Joseph Heco (1837–1897), fisherman and writer, first to publish Japanese language newspaper
Harry Honda (1919-2013), Nisei, journalist, columnist, and editor, Pacific Citizen
Bill Hosokawa (1915-2007), Nisei, Denver Post journalist, columnist, editor, and author
Michiko Kakutani, New York Times literary critic and author
Ken Kashiwahara, former network correspondent and San Francisco bureau chief, ABC News
Fred Katayama, anchor, Reuters Television, New York
Guy Kawasaki, author, Apple evangelist
Sachi Koto, former CNN news anchor
Lori Matsukawa, anchor, KING 5, Seattle
Rob Mayeda, NBC Bay Area Weather Plus meteorologist
Denise Nakano, anchor, WCAU NBC 10, Philadelphia
Kent Ninomiya, anchor, reporter and news executive
Yuki Noguchi, correspondent, NPR, Washington, DC
James Omura (1912-1994), Nisei, journalist, editor, and civil rights leader
David Ono, anchor, ABC7, Los Angeles
Roxana Saberi, reporter, mother is an immigrant from Japan
James Sakamoto (1903-1955), Nisei, journalist, columnist, editor, and boxer, founded first English-language Japanese American newspaper
Scott Sassa, former President, NBC West Coast
Larry Tajiri (1914-1965), Nisei, journalist, columnist, and editor
Tricia Takasugi, anchor, KTTV Fox 11, Los Angeles
Iva Toguri (1916–2006), Nisei, radio broadcaster nicknamed "Tokyo Rose"
Wendy Tokuda, former anchor, KPIX and KRON, San Francisco and KNBC, Los Angeles
Gordon Tokumatsu, reporter, NBC4, Los Angeles
Tritia Toyota, former anchor, KNBC and KCBS, Los Angeles
Taky Kimura, martial arts practitioner and instructor certified by Bruce Lee to teach Jun Fan Gung Fu or Jeet Kune Do
Toshihiro Oshiro, martial arts master and instructor from Haneji, Okinawa; a founder of the Ryukyu Bujutsu Kenkyu Doyukai
Don "The Dragon" Wilson, former world champion kickboxer and action movie star
Barney F. Hajiro (1916–2011), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Harry B. Harris Jr. Admiral (four stars) United States Navy, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
Mikio Hasemoto (1916–1943), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Joe Hayashi (1920–1945), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Shizuya Hayashi (1917–2008), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Daniel Inouye (1924-2012), former Senator from Hawaii, Medal of Honor recipient World War II
Terry Teruo Kawamura (1949–1969), Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant First Class in the Vietnam War
Yeiki Kobashigawa (1920–2005), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Robert T. Kuroda (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Ben Kuroki (1917–2015), the only Japanese American Army Air Force pilot to fly combat missions in the Pacific theater in World War II
Susan K. Mashiko, Major General (two stars) United States Air Force, November 2009–present
Roy Matsumoto (1913–2014), Master sergeant, U.S. Army; member of Merrill's Marauders; inductee of the U.S. Army Rangers Hall of Fame and the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame
Hiroshi Miyamura, Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal in Korean War
Kenneth P. Moritsugu, former acting Surgeon General of the United States; Rear Admiral, USPHS
Kaoru Moto (1917–1992), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Sadao Munemori (1922–1945), Medal of Honor recipient, Private First Class in World War II
Kiyoshi K. Muranaga (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Michael K. Nagata, United States Army Major General
Masato Nakae (1917–1998), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Shinyei Nakamine (1920–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
William K. Nakamura (1922–1944), Medal of Honor recipient, Private First Class in World War II
Joe M. Nishimoto (1920–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Allan M. Ohata (1918–1977), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Vincent Okamoto, highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War
James K. Okubo (1920–1967), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Yukio Okutsu (1921–2003), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Allen K. Ono, first Japanese American Lieutenant General
Frank H. Ono (1923–1980), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Kazuo Otani (1918–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
George T. Sakato (1921-2015), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Eric Shinseki, United States Army General, Army Chief of Staff (1999–2003), Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014)
Ted T. Tanouye (1919–1944), Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Ehren Watada, first commissioned officer in the U.S. armed forces to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, discharged "under Other-Than-Honorable-Conditions" in 2009
Bruce Yamashita, worked to expose racial discrimination in the United States Marine Corps
Rodney James Takashi Yano (1943–1969), Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant First Class in the Vietnam War
Politics, law and government
Sanji Abe (1895–1982), first Japanese American in the Hawaii Territorial Senate (1940–1943)
Richard Aoki (1938–2009), civil rights activist and co-founder of the Black Panther Party
George Ariyoshi, first Asian American governor of a U.S. state (Hawaii)
Sue Kunitomi Embrey (1923-2006), co-founder of the Manzanar Committee who worked to gain National Historic Site status for the former concentration camp
Henry Hajimu Fujii, civic leader, Order of the Rising Sun recipient, Idaho
Warren Furutani, California State Assemblyman, 55th District
Colleen Hanabusa, Congresswoman from Hawaii
Bob Hasegawa, Member, House of Representatives, Washington State Legislature
S. I. Hayakawa (1906–1992), Canadian, former Senator from California and linguistics scholar
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, civil rights activist and lead researcher of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians
Gordon Hirabayashi (1918–2012), plaintiff in Hirabayashi v. United States, which challenged Japanese American internment during World War II
Mazie Hirono, former lieutenant governor of Hawaii, currently Senator from Hawaii
Mike Honda, Congressman from California
Paul Igasaki, former vice-chair and Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
David Ige, governor of Hawaii since 2014
Daniel Inouye (1924-2012), former Senator from Hawaii, Medal of Honor recipient, former President pro tempore of the United States Senate, and third in the United States presidential line of succession
Lance Ito, judge, presided over O.J. Simpson criminal trial
Jani Iwamoto, Democratic Utah Senator
Lincoln Kanai (1908-1982), plaintiff in ex parte Kanai, which challenged the constitutionality of the WWII incarceration
Yuri Kochiyama (1921–2014), Japanese American civil rights activist and friend of Malcolm X
Russell S. Kokubun, member, Hawaii State Senate
Fred Korematsu (1919–2005), Medal of Freedom recipient who argued against the internment
Aki Kurose (1925-2008), activist and educator who helped establish Seattle's first Head Start Program
Mari Matsuda, first tenured Asian American female law professor in the United States
Doris Matsui, Congresswoman from California and widow of Robert Matsui
Robert Matsui (1941–2005), late Congressman from California and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Spark Matsunaga (1916–1990), US Senator from Hawaii
Stan Matsunaka, Colorado State Senator
Norman Mineta, Congressman from California and Secretary of Transportation
Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927–2002), first Asian American Congresswoman, Hawaii
Hermina Morita, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Kenneth P. Moritsugu, United States Surgeon General (acting) from 2006–2007
Alan Nakanishi, California State Assemblyman, 10th District 2002–08
George Nakano, former California State Assemblyman
Paula A. Nakayama, Associate Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court
Karen Narasaki, Executive Director of the Asian American Justice Center
Clarence K. Nishihara, member, Hawaii State Senate
Steere Noda (1892–1986), politician, lawyer, and baseball player in the State of Hawaii
Blake Oshiro, lawyer, former deputy chief of staff to the Governor of Hawaii and Majority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives
Pete Rouse, interim White House Chief of Staff in the Barack Obama administration
Scott Saiki, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Thomas Sakakihara (1900–1976), member 1932–1954, House of Representatives, Hawaii Territorial Legislature
Sharon Tomiko Santos, Majority Whip, House of Representatives, Washington State Legislature
Maile Shimabukuro, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Mark Takai, former member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Dwight Takamine, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Mark Takano (2013–), Congressman representing the 41st Congressional District of California; first LGBT person of color to be elected to Congress
Gregg Takayama, member, House of Representatives, Hawaii State Legislature
Robert Mitsuhiro Takasugi (1930–2009), first Japanese-American appointed to the federal bench
Paul Tanaka, Mayor of the City of Gardena and Assistant Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
A. Wallace Tashima, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Jill N. Tokuda, member, Hawaii State Senate
Takuji Yamashita (1874–1959), early civil rights pioneer
Robert T. Hoshibata, Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Adney Y. Komatsu, first person of Asian descent to become a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Roy I. Sano, Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Nyogen Senzaki (1876–1958), one of the 20th century's leading proponents of Zen Buddhism
Sam K. Shimabukuro, member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Taitetsu Unno, Buddhist scholar, lecturer, and author
Science and technology
Keiiti Aki (1930–2005), seismologist
George I. Fujimoto, chemist
Ted Fujita (1920–1998), creator of the Fujita scale
Harvey Itano (1920–2010), biochemist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Mizuko Ito, cultural anthropologist at the University of California, Irvine
Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist specializing in string field theory
Akihiro Kanamori, mathematician specializing in set theory
Jay Kochi (1927-2008), chemist
Dorinne K. Kondo, anthropologist
John Maeda, computer scientist, artist, professor at MIT
Teruhisa Matsusaka (1926–2006), mathematician specializing in algebraic geometry
Yoky Matsuoka, computer scientist; 2007 MacArthur Fellow
Shuji Nakamura, 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics
Yoichiro Nambu (1921–2015), 2008 Nobel Laureate in Physics
Susumu Ohno (1928–2000), geneticist and evolutionary biologist
Ellison Onizuka (1946–1986), first Asian American astronaut; one of the "Challenger Seven"
Ken Ono, mathematician specializing in number theory
Santa J. Ono, immunologist, biologist, University President University of Cincinnati
Takashi Ono, mathematician
Charles J. Pedersen (1904–1989), 1987 Nobel laureate in Chemistry; his mother was Japanese
Gordon H. Sato, cell biologist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Tsutomu Shimomura, computer security expert
Daniel M. Tani, astronaut
Takeshi Utsumi, computer simulationist
Ryuzo Yanagimachi, reproductive biologist and member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
Sho Yano, physician and former child prodigy
Darwin Barney, MLB player, grandmother is from Japan and grandfather is from Korea.
Bryan Clay, 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon
Rickie Fowler, professional golfer, maternal grandfather is Japanese
Paul Fujii, professional boxer and WBA Junior Welterweight champion
Tadd Fujikawa, teen golfer
Corey Gaines, NBA player
Miki Gorman (1935–2015), two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons; former American and unofficial world record holder in the marathon
Jeremy Guthrie, MLB player, mother is of Japanese descent
Atlee Hammaker, All-Star MLB player, mother is of Japanese descent
Hiroto Hirashima, member of the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame
Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder
Bryan Iguchi, professional snowboarder
Kyoko Ina, first place in the 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships (pairs)
Rena Inoue, first place in the 2004 and 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships (pairs)
Travis Ishikawa, MLB player
Evelyn Kawamoto (1933-2017), won two Olympic bronze medals in swimming in 1952
Ford Konno, former world record holder, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time Olympic silver medalist in swimming (1952 and 1956)
Tommy Kono (1930-2016), former world record holder, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Olympic silver medalist in weightlifting (1952, 1956, and 1960)
Shogo Kubo, professional skateboarder
Kyle Larson, Sansei, Winner in all three NASCAR national series.
Brandon League, MLB player
Mike Lum, first American of Japanese ancestry to play in the major leagues
Wataru Misaka, professional basketball pioneer, broke the NBA color barrier in 1947
Mirai Nagasu, won the singles title at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Keo Nakama (1920–2011), swimmer and world record holder
Haruki Nakamura, NFL safety, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers
Hikaru Nakamura, chess grandmaster and US champion (2005, 2009, and 2012)
Corey Nakatani, jockey with seven wins in Breeders' Cup races
Teiko Nishi, Sansei, women's basketball starter for UCLA
Apolo Anton Ohno, won eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating (two gold) in 2002, 2006, and 2010, as well as a world cup championship
Yoshinobu Oyakawa, former world record holder and 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter backstroke
Harold Sakata (1920–1982), 1948 Olympic silver medalist weightlifter, actor, and wrestler
Lenn Sakata, professional baseball player for the World Series Champions Baltimore Orioles
Eric Sato, won an 1988 Olympic gold medal in volleyball
Liane Sato, won an 1992 Olympic bronze medal in volleyball
Alex Shibutani, figure skater
Maia Shibutani, figure skater; Alex Shibutani's younger sister
Kinji Shibuya, professional wrestler and actor
Erik Shoji, US National team volleyball player
Kawika Shoji, US National team volleyball player and Erik Shoji's brother
Kurt Suzuki, MLB player
Robert Swift, NBA player
Derek Tatsuno, baseball player selected to the All-Time All-Star Team of Collegiate Baseball America
Shane Victorino, Sansei, MLB player
Don Wakamatsu, Yonsei, Major League Baseball's first Japanese-American manager
Rex Walters, NBA player
Kristi Yamaguchi, Yonsei, won three national figure skating championships, two world titles, and the 1992 Olympic gold medal
Lindsey Yamasaki, Professional basketball player (Miami Sol, New York Liberty, San Jose Spiders), Stanford University (basketball, volleyball)
Roger Yasukawa, auto-racing driver (IRL)
Wally Kaname Yonamine (1925–2011), football player; first Japanese American in the NFL; professional baseball player in Nippon Professional Baseball League
List of Japanese Americans Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA
