Interview with Ms. D1

"As a Chinese parent in Japan, I’ve noticed that most children born here gradually become more immersed in Japanese culture, while the connection to Chinese culture grows weaker. Even though many of us insist that our kids speak Chinese at home, the reality is that their abilities usually stop at daily conversation. Reading and writing in Chinese is much harder for them, and without that foundation, it’s not easy for these children to go back to China and fully adapt.

In schools, Chinese isn’t emphasized at all—English takes priority as the second language. As a result, most overseas Chinese children here may be able to talk with their parents in Mandarin, but they lack the deeper skills needed to truly stay connected with their heritage."