Ever since the late 19th century, the Japanese state has engaged with its emigrants and their descendants, known today as Nikkeijin, who reside mainly in the Americas and now Japan. Recently, the government rekindled its interest in strengthening ties with them, especially in South America. In this talk, Ayumi Takenaka aims to address why, and how this has played a role in shaping ideas of Nihonjin (Japanese) by presenting a historical trajectory of Japan’s state-diaspora relationship (1868-present).