Wajin (Japanese)

Wajin is a Japanese term referring to ethnic Japanese people, collectively known as "Japanese" in modern contexts. Originally derived from historical Chinese texts, it distinguished the native Japanese from foreign groups. Today, Wajin commonly denotes those with Japanese ancestry, culture, and language, emphasizing ethnic identity within Japan. The term highlights Japan's long-standing cultural traditions and the homogeneous nature of its population, although Japan also recognizes a diverse society with residents of various backgrounds. Overall, Wajin signifies the ethnolinguistic group rooted in Japan’s history, language, and cultural heritage.