issei

Issei (一世, "first generation") are Japanese immigrants to countries in North America and South America. The term is used mostly by ethnic Japanese. Issei are born in Japan; their children born in the new country are nisei (ni, "two", plus sei, "generation"); and their grandchildren are sansei (san, "three", plus sei, "generation"). The character and uniqueness of the issei is recognized in their social history.