[3][4] Miyamoto was born to a Japanese mother and African American father, Bryant Stanfield, who was stationed at the United States Navy facility in Sasebo.
Upon return to her native Japan, she did not immediately complete high school, but worked odd jobs, including as a bartender.
[24][25] Miyamoto recalled, "Whenever the teacher told us to hold hands, other children thought my black skin would rub off on them, so they said, 'Don't touch me'".
"[26] Miyamoto was shunned due to her skin color and wavy hair while she grew up in Japan.
[16] One of Miyamoto's friends, a fellow hāfu, committed suicide after sharing his experiences of social exclusion with her.