My grandparents left Japan aboard the ship Ruys on July 11, 1957, heading to the port of Santos and from there, they left for the interior of Paraná. They worked and faced adverse difficulties that were not shared with us. I just know that the drama in the NHK film Haru and Natsu was just the tip of the iceberg, and also the strong connection they feel for Japan.

I believe that all immigrants ¹ share this strong link, which became the foundation for the creation of a chain to send humanitarian aid to post-War Japan. This is how Kaigai Nikkeijin Kyoukai ² was created.

My first contact with this foundation was in 2017, when I was a fellow on Gaimusho 's Next Generation of Nikkei program. I had the opportunity to participate in discussion panels on agriculture and exchanges between Latin America and Japan. I was enchanted and curious by so much energy and connection between the participants, which motivated me to want to participate in projects aimed at the Nikkei community in Brazil.

With members of the Next Generation of Nikkei Program. Personal archive.

I had the opportunity to meet Professor Matsumoto on one of the program's agendas and he presented some studies carried out on the Nikkei in Latin America and the work carried out. We became friends and, whenever possible, we exchanged pictures.

Professor Matsumoto was one of the panelists at the 61st Kaigai Nikkeijin Taikai , which aims to debate topics of current relevance and discusses the actions of the Nikkei community and possible solutions. This year, he presented the impacts of the new coronavirus pandemic in Latin America and how the Nikkei community acted during this period.

I realized, from the speaker's speech, that the community did not remain silent, once again, in the face of the difficulty and saw it as a challenge to overcome. The Nikkei community in Latin America held several meetings, meetings and festivities in virtual form, not only to raise money, but, above all, to prove to everyone that we can, together, live a new era in a different way and also practice fraternity as new value.

What can we expect for the year 2022?

I believe in a small global deglobalization post-pandemic of the new coronavirus. Countries may partially close the border to foreign trade so that they can develop the internal economy, and in this likely scenario, more startups with new business models should emerge. Professor Matsumoto cited the example of fintech Nubank , a fully digital bank that can help emerging countries recover economically and left a valuable tip so that the Nikkei community can benefit in some way, such as: easier payment for goods, payments in deliveries etc.

What to think about the dekasseguis who are in Japan facing the pandemic? Professor Matsumoto reported that the Japanese government provided assistance to all workers, without leaving them on the sidelines. Different vaccination times were offered and information was produced in different languages ​​to support everyone.

And what can we expect for the future of dekasseguis ? The biggest problem faced is the issue of retirement. I know that our National Congress approved the Law that accepts the contribution time of dekasseguis in Japan. But Professor Matsumoto highlighted the situation of those who withdraw the benefit to return to their country of origin and return to Japan to definitively retire. I believe there are other problems, however, I believe that the individual economic situation improves and that everyone finds a way to make the most of life.

The second day of the virtual meeting, for me, was marked by challenges and expectations. Getting to know medical assistance through telemedicine, strengthening the union of young Nikkei in Latin America, the work of maintaining and encouraging the study of the Japanese language and the link between women in the economy will be new sources of intimate declaration to improve my performance in community as a member of the new generation Nikkei group.

Grades:

1. Japanese Immigration History Museum link for information on immigration data: Immigration Ships: Passenger list

2. To understand a little about the Kaigai Nikkeijin Kyokai: 「マンガでわかる海外日系人協会」(Japanese)

© 2021 Clarice Satiko Aoto