Hāfu2Hāfu

Worldwide Photography Project about Mixed Japanese Identity

Tetsuro

Hāfu2Hāfu exhibition makes its UK debut

From the Multippl press release.

Hāfu2Hāfu x Multippl

Hāfu2Hāfu is a project created by Netherlands-based Japanese-Belgian photographer Tetsuro Miyazaki, who set out to photograph a hāfu – a person with one Japanese parent – from every UN-recognised country.

Alongside the black and white photographic portraits, taken with hāfu from over 100 countries, are pressing questions related to identity that each portrayed person poses directly to the viewer.

This unique snapshot reveals the commonalities and differences in the hāfu experience, and provokes a personal reflection on identity, diversity, and multiculturalism that transcends the mixed-Japanese experience.

After exhibitions in Japan, Europe, and the US, we’re so excited to be collaborating with photographer Tetsuro to bring this exhibition to London for the first time, offering a unique look at mixed identity and inspiring conversation and self-reflection.

Multippl Founder, Thomas Hiroki Patterson, said: “We’re thrilled to be showcasing the Hāfu2Hāfu exhibition in the UK for the first time – in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Not only a thought-provoking exploration of mixed identity and ethnicity, it’s also a celebration of mixed people around the world. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the Multippl community at the opening event on Thursday 16 October.”

Photographer Tetsuro Miyazaki said: “Of course, I look forward to exhibiting my work in the UK for the first time. But mostly, I am thrilled to meet people from the hāfu and mixed community in London. I hope this exhibition will bring a sense of belonging for them as well as understanding and recognition from their families and friends.”

Amsterdam Exhibition ‘Ik Azie’ with Pan Asian Collective

Join us for the Grand Opening!

At Multippl, a core part of our mission is to create a safe, welcoming place where people of mixed ethnicity – and particularly those from a mixed east and southeast Asian background – can come together to discuss and celebrate multiculturalism.

Over three hundred people attended our previous events, and we can’t wait to bring the mixed ethnicity world and allies together again for the launch of Hāfu2Hāfu x Multippl on Thursday 16 October. Get your tickets now!

At our opening event, we’ll be joined by photographer Tetsuro Miyazaki, who will give a talk exploring the inspiration behind the Hāfu2Hāfu project, and his reflections from talking to hāfu from over 100 countries.

He’ll then be joined by a panel to discuss mixed ethnicity and reflections on multiculturalism and identity – our incredible panel lineup will be announced soon!

You’ll then be able to explore the exhibition – making you one of the very first in the country to see it on display – and have the chance to meet Miyazaki and other attendees, while enjoying a bespoke cocktail menu curated by The Casbah.

Get your Grand Opening Tickets here.

In true Multippl style, we’ll be closing this exhibition with a bang. Stay tuned for more information about a closing event which we’ll be sharing soon.

Visit Hāfu2Hāfu x Multippl

The Hāfu2Hāfu x Multippl exhibition is open daily Monday-Friday, 16-30 October, 10:00-21:00. Admission is free.

The Cashbah, 20 Little Portland St, London, W1W 8BS

Hāfu2Hāfu x Multippl – the Grand Opening

16 October 2025, 18:30-22:00
Early bird tickets: £10. General admission: £15. Concessions: £10.
Tickets available for purchase via our website.

Be first to hear about our closing event – sign up to our mailing list below

The Casbah, 20 Little Portland St, London, W1W 8BS

TEDxValencia

On 27th May 2023 I made my appearance at TEDxValència where I was invited to talk about how photography has helped me in my search for answers about identity. I chose to talk about Hafu2Hafu, my worldwide photo project about mixed roots Japanese identity.

It has been an unforgettable experience in many ways.

Firstly, because it happened. My appearance was supposed to take place three years ago, but we all know what cancelled all our plans.

Secondly, because TEDx is huge. It is the biggest platform for sharing ideas with a worldwide audience. I have been watching TED talks for over 15 years and have been inspired by so many of them.

Thirdly, because of the guidance. A TEDx event is not just a stage
where you appear and do your talk. About four months before the big day,
you start to shape the story you want to share. They have apps and
books, but what set this experience apart from any other talk I did, is
that you get professional coaching. I was pretty confident going in,
then hit rock bottom along the way because I didn’t know what was
missing but got on top again just in time.Fourth, because of the co-speakers. I could not have dreamed of a
better group of other presenters than the ones who came before and after
me. I met some during the preparation and we gave each other honest and
constructive feedback. This too lifted the level of our talks, but also
make you part of a team.Fifth, because of the venue. Can you imagine giving a presentation in front of an aquarium?

Exhibition and Talk in Liège, Belgium

From 22nd November to 11th January Point Culture Liège will be displaying 55 portraits and questions from the Hāfu2Hāfu project.

On Saturday 23rd November, I had the chance to hold another gallery talk. This time, my children and family were able to join too.

Special thanks to Point Culture and Passerelle Japon for organising this event and Sylvain Lintzen and Karina Kimoto for helping me translate all the questions in French.

Youtube: Life Where I’m From x Hāfu2Hāfu

This summer I had the chance to meet Greg Lam from Life Where I’m From for the second time. The first time, he interviewed me for his documentary about being Japanese. This time I try to answer a few questions from the then newly released Hāfu2Hāfu photo book.

The questions I try to answer are:
• How can Japanese changing society benefit from your hāfu-ness?
• If for some reason you have to choose, which nationality would it be?
• In what moment did you first realise you were different?
• Would you feel more relaxed in a third country that does not make part of your identity?
• Have you ever met a hāfu with the same roots, but who grew up in the ‘other’ country?
• What would you tell your younger self?
• What is your first impression of the word ‘hāfu’?
• What is in your lunchbox?
• What is being Japanese?

Although never easy, I hope I gave useful answers to these difficult questions.

Thanks Greg for having me on your show.

Hāfu2Hāfu x Maastricht Photo Festival

See original post and more photos on Tetsuro.Photography

From 20 to 29th September 2019, you can visit the first edition of the Maastricht Photo Festival. The theme is Up Close and presents photographers with a connection with the south of the Netherlands.

There are 24 different venues throughout the city, exhibiting work of more than 30 photographers including some 50 photos from my own Hāfu2Hāfu project.

Many thanks to Bert and Uschi at Maastricht Photo Festival, Pathé Bioscoop Maastricht for this awesome location and FujiFilm Original Photopaper for the fantastic prints.

Asahi Shimbun:「日本人とは？」　１２０人の「ハーフ」の写真集を出版

日本人と外国人の間に生まれた「ハーフ」と呼ばれる人たち１２０人の写真と、彼らが持つ疑問をまとめた写真集が出版された。撮影した日系ベルギー人の男性は「日本人、ハーフ、外国人それぞれの多様さを考えるきっかけになれば」と期待する。

[Read more…] about Asahi Shimbun:「日本人とは？」　１２０人の「ハーフ」の写真集を出版

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