Hiroshi Ono (weightlifter)

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.

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.

• 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"

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 (1927-2017), 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
• Ashima Shiraishi an American rock climber.
• 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