1. Yamato People (Native Japanese):
- The majority ethnic group in Japan. Direct descendants of the Yayoi people who settled in Japan during the Neolithic period.
2. Ainu People:
- Indigenous people of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. A distinct ethnic group with their own language and cultural traditions.
3. Okinawan People:
- Indigenous people of the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa. Have a unique culture and a distinct language variety.
4. Koryo-saram:
- Ethnic Koreans living in Japan, descended from Koreans who migrated to Japan during the Japanese colonial period.
5. Chinese:
- A significant minority group, mainly comprising individuals of Chinese descent born in Japan or immigrants from China.
6. Filipinos:
- A growing minority community, mainly consisting of permanent residents and migrant workers from the Philippines.
7. Brazilians:
- A relatively new minority group comprising individuals of Japanese descent who migrated from Brazil to Japan.
8. Other Minorities:
- Smaller groups include Americans, Europeans, Southeast Asians (e.g., Vietnamese and Thai), and South Americans.
It's worth noting that while Japan has a reputation for being a largely homogeneous country, the ethnic composition is gradually diversifying, especially in urban areas.