Brazil’s Japanese Population

Editor’s Thoughts

There’s no doubt, I was upset to learn Tokyo had been eliminated in the race for the 2016 Olympics last Friday in Copenhagen - with an athlete and environment focused bid, combined with a culture that will find perfection in absolutely everything they do, there’s no doubt they would have put on once heck of a show. I know that, you know that, the IOC knew that, athletes too, but the the Olympic flame is being given to Rio and it’s the first time South America will play host to the elite sporting event. This is something to celebrate about.

And to all the Japanamania’s out there, Rio’s win of the Olympic Games is really not a loss for the Japanese. Did you know there a historical Brazil-Japan Connection. In fact, Brazil is home to the world’s largest Japanese population outside. 1,405,685 are of Japanese descent in Brazil. 2016 will be a good opportunity for the Japanese-Brazilians to showcase their culture to the world.

Quick History Check - the Japanese Brazilian

-Though it was forbidden for Asians and Africans to immigrate to Brazil until 1892, by 1908, a large number of Asians began arriving in Brazil to help with the labour shortage on the coffee plantations (Brazil’s greatest export). The shortage was due to the decrease in the Italian immigration.
- The migration was spurred by the ending of feudalism in Japan, which generated great poverty in the rural population. Many sought a better life.
- In 1907, the Brazilian and the Japanese governments signed a treaty permitting Japanese migration to Brazil - most immigrants were farmers, who eventually came to play a major role in Brazil’s coffee industry.

- 75% of them settled in São Paulo, since that was where most of the coffee plantations were. Others settle in Rio and Paraná.
- The Japanese immigrants experienced prejudice and forced assimilation, but they’re status changed dramatically post-war when Japan experienced a period of significant growth.
- As Japan became on the the richest countries in the 1970s, the Japanese of this generation gained a ‘prestige’ in Brazilian society.

Notable Brazilian Japanese

Today the Japanese-Brazilian play an important role in many parts of Brazilian society - these are just some -
- Lisa Ono (Singer) - an amazing Bossa Nova singer - raised in Rio, her father opened a a Brazilian restaurant, Saci-Pererê, where she started performing mainly bossa nova and samba.
- Juliana Imai (supermodel) - Juliana has already modeled for many big clients such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Gianfranco Ferré, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood and Betsy Johnson. She has also done works for the fashion lines of Gwen Stefani and Jay-Z.
- Sabrina Sato Rahal (Comedian/TV Personality)
- Luiz Gushiken (Politician) - a Brazilian activist and politician. He was formerly the head of the social communication office of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration, a position which carried a ministerial rank. He is a first-generation Japanese-Brazilian, with Japanese parents from Okinawa. (*He was recently accused of being part of a cash-for-votes scandal, known as the Mensalão scandal, was demoted and left the government. He is currently under indictment by the Supreme Federal Tribunal for his role in the scandal - Okay maybe he’s not as cool as I thought. . .)

On a better note - listen to Lisa Ono’s amazing Bossa Nova - it’s the most soothing thing ever! Here’s the epic bossa nova track Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) -