This word carries strongly derogatory overtones in modern Chinese.
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history
From the Han through Sui dynasties, Chinese sources called Japan 倭 (Wō) and its people 倭人. The 《魏志倭人传》 (Wèizhì Wōrén Zhuàn, 'Record of the Wa People in the Wei Annals') is one of the earliest written accounts of Japan.
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In modern Chinese this term is offensive and nationalistic. Use 日本人 (Rìběnrén, Japanese person) in any neutral context. 倭 reads wō here, not wěi.
