Interviews

1. How I became a volunteer at the International Association of Yamato (Spanish)

2. The importance of knowing the Japanese language (Spanish)

3. Several ways to participate and integrate into Japanese society (Spanish)

4. The challenge for Peruvian children of going to school in Japan (Spanish)

5. The identity crisis of Peruvian children in Japan (Spanish)

6. The breakdown of the family structure as a result of the deskasegi movement (Spanish)

Onchi,Toshiko Elena

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

How I became a volunteer at the International Association of Yamato (Spanish)

(Spanish) Ah, well, when I arrived, I lived in Tokyo where I started ... Well, my husband told me, “We are not going back to Peru.” And then I said, "We must study Nihongo." Because, of course, as a young girl it seemed like I was speaking Japanese. But as an adult when we got here, I knew: Good afternoon, Good morning, words we say here at home. So that is why I went to study Japanese, as I said in Tokyo. Then I was living in Tokyo. So I had the opportunity to go to two Japanese language schools. And from there, when I moved at age seven, I moved to Yokohama, and then there I heard... there, near the Yokohama area, there are many Latinos, mostly Peruvians. So I live in Yokohama, but leaning more towards Yamato. Then I found out that in the city of Yamato there was an international exchange association. So I went and approached the office and said: Well, I do not know how to get by that well, but I know a little Japanese, and if I can help in anyway, well, I would be delighted. And they signed me up as a volunteer interpreter. And there began my participation in the International Association of Yamato. I started as a volunteer, translating documents that were needed for visa renewals. I started with translation. And when they needed interpreters, they gave me interpreting, right? And later, they started… for example a guide... a guide of the daily life of Yamato; they also chose to translate it into multiple languages…I was in charge (of it).

Date: March 24, 2009

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Interviewer: Alberto Matsumoto

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Born in Peru. Starting in 1980, she managed ELECTRONICA MORUMBI S.R.L., a company specializing in building and repairing electronics, for about ten years. After moving to Japan in September of 1990, she first registered as a volunteer of the Globalization Committee of Yamato city. Later, she remained active as an interpreter and consultant, and also stayed engaged with the AMDA (American Medical Directors Association) Medical Information Center.

From 2001, she worked as an interpreter and consultant for South American Nikkei workers at the Industrial Employment Stabilization Center’s Kanagawa location, and from 2002 to 2005, she worked for TOKIO NIKKEIS (Ueno/Shinjuku area employment stabilization center), a firm operated by the same agency. In addition, she served as a translator for the Administrative Procedures Office’s Futaba branch, for the businesses in the community, and currently for the “Training of Nikkei For Employment Preparation”—a project commissioned by the Overseas Nikkei Association.

In Yamato city, she is a local radio host on FM YAMATO, and she is also a member of the city sponsored “Multicultural Coexistence Convention” and the “Regional Welfare Planning and Implementation Committee”. (July 2010)