- This article is about fourth-generation Japanese immigrants or emigrants. For other uses, see Yonsei.
Yonsei (四世, literally, "fourth generation") is a Japanese language term used in countries in North America and South America to name the children born to Japanese people who immigrated. The emigrants or immigrants who were born in Japan are called Issei; and their children born in the new country are called Nisei (second generation). The grandchildren of Issei are called Sansei (third generation) and their great-grandchildren are called Yonsei.
The character and uniqueness of the Yonsei is recognized in its social history. The Yonsei are the subject of on-going academic research in the United States and Japan.