The study was conducted for analyzing ethnic identity of Overseas ethnic Chinese who settled in Japan 100 years ago thorough survey and depth interview at Kobe and Yokohama Chinatown in Japan. The result of this study is Overseas ethnic Chinese are fluent in speaking Chinese language and they use Chinese language with high frequency in everyday life. They are still maintaining the traditional festivals such as Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving etc, and are preserving traditional culture successfully. In addition, Overseas*ethnic Chinese are expressing a strong sense of belonging and feeling national pride. In other words, overseas*ethnic Chinese in Japan is not completely assimilated into local community, rather they are maintaining their own ethnic identity.
This ethnic identity of Overseas ethnic Chinese was funded by the effort and commitment of internal ethnic communities. Establishment of Overseas Chinese school strengthened ethnic education and forming the cultural festival in Chinatown enhanced ethnic identity. In addition, sharing information by operating organization including Overseas Chinese Association strengthened bond. Overseas*ethnic Chinese formed ethnic community and established ethnic identity focusing their own Chinese school, cultural festival, chinese organization.