Kibei
/ˈkiːbeɪ/noun
A Japanese American born in the United States who was educated in Japan and later returned to America.
Did you know?The term became especially significant during World War II, when Kibei were sometimes viewed with suspicion because of their Japanese education, despite many being U.S. citizens.
Etymological Timeline
Early 20th Century
Japanese
帰米
“Return to America; a Japanese person returning from Japan to the United States”
Early 20th Century
Japanese
帰米人
“A person who returns to America”
1920s–1930s
Japanese American English
Kibei
“A U.S.-born person of Japanese ancestry educated in Japan”
World War II
English
Kibei
“A term used in U.S. discussions of Japanese Americans, sometimes with suspicion because of their Japanese schooling”
Modern English
English
Kibei
“A historical term for a Japanese American educated in Japan”