non-Japanese

adjective

non-Jap·​a·​nese ˌnän-ˌja-pə-ˈnēz How to pronounce non-Japanese (audio)
-ˈnēs
: not of, relating to, or characteristic of Japan or its people : not Japanese
non-Japanese automakers
Americans of non-Japanese descent

Examples of non-Japanese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Bobby’s business partner, Chane’s non-Japanese Asian heritage adds some nuance to the authenticity conflict with Yoshido, who refuses to become Robata Chane’s new supplier of binchōtan charcoal, as well as some good Chane-is-dumb jokes. Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025 Nonverbal communication can get non-Japanese speakers a long way, but be aware that not all gestures translate. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025 But Japan’s rental housing market often presents hurdles for non-Japanese residents, from stringent lease terms and language barriers to cultural nuances around waste management and energy use. Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025 Apart from focusing on local delicacies, many Japanese establishments also offer their own take on non-Japanese foods to cater to tourists or locals who crave their home country's cuisine. Rocky Sharma, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 It is composed of minor league players from Japan and is managed by Alex Ramirez, a Venezuelan native who was the first non-Japanese player with 2,000 hits in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 These graduates are both Japanese and non-Japanese individuals. Akiko Katayama, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 Marielle paused in front of a large black-and-white photograph of Bob Fletcher standing in a field, part of a display honoring non-Japanese Americans who helped interned families. Jake Whitney, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 The luxury boutique is run by Yuji—who serves as international sales manager, handling all non-Japanese clients—and his husband, Tim. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of non-Japanese was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Non-Japanese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-Japanese. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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