Women of Color in Japan: Navigating Life and Culture
“Although Tokyo is known for being homogenous, I met people from all over the world that helped me grow as a storyteller and an individual. While there may not be many situations where you see a Nigerian-American artist from the U.S. with a Japanese born filmmaker of Indian descent and a Japanese and Jamaican musician, this film represents a personal exploration of more stories inspired by identity and culture that could bring a diverse group of people together both in front and behind the scenes. Women of Color in Japan was a tool to be the change we want to see as creators and as viewers”
Recently, the world has been nudged to pause and think more in-depthly about its relationships with diverse cultures and identities in light of global discussions surrounding movements such as Black Lives Matter and the fight against AAPI hate. With our debut documentary Black in Tokyo, this is a conversation we are proud to have championed in 2017. The documentary was greeted with rave reviews and has so far garnered over 1.5 million views across the world.
We believe that there is no better time than now to continue the dialogue by putting a lens on the unique experiences of women of color. Women Of Color in Japan is a documentary film Directed by Amarachi Nwosu produced under Melanin Unscripted that highlights creative women of various backgrounds who are making strides toward their vision of social inclusion, equity, and representation living in Tokyo, Japan. These women empower themselves and others by embracing their distinct positions in Japanese society and push against the adversities that come with it.
Recently honored as Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2021 for her work as a storyteller and creative entrepreneur as the founder of Melanin Unscripted, Amarachi’s passion for storytelling has allowed her to champion timeless narratives that create impact and break barriers. Through Amarachi’s experience as a Nigerian-American living in Japan, she amassed a first-hand look at the diverse experiences of women of color as well as the ways in which these experiences connect people of different backgrounds.
Ameya is a Japan-born filmmaker, photographer, writer, and the co-founder of Ikix Studio, a visual media collective exploring unseen perspectives. After living in Tokyo, Arkansas, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Santa Cruz as a woman of Indian descent, she felt as though there are many stories, especially stories of women and people of color that are yet to be told. By using visual media, as well as herself as a medium- her goal is to broaden people’s perspectives and portray the world around her as authentically as she can.
Uzochi Okoronkwo is a Nigerian-American teacher, stylist, and owner of vintage online boutique KO Vintage. She has been working and living in Japan for almost 5 years and enjoys hunting vintage, blogging, traveling and shopping.” Throughout her life she has experienced instances of feeling uniquely different from the people around her and wanted to break free from the norms she was exposed to growing up in an African household in the U.S. Moving to Tokyo, she wanted to find her own unique path and break barriers in spaces like fashion and culture.
Tiffany Cadillac is a DJ, singer and producer of Japanese and Jamaican descent born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She has lived between Japan and Jamaica throughout her life. While Japan is home, Jamaica is a space where Tiffany was able to reclaim her identity and African roots while staying true to her Japanese bloodline. Her fusion of both cultures allows her to shape her own identity and walk in her truth as a creative member of Japanese society.
