Kazuo Miyagi
A former chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Okinawa Sumo in Bolivia, Miyagi emigrated to the Bolivia-Okinawa migration region in 1979. Today, he serves as chairman of the Association of Japanese-Bolivians.
Updated February 2009
Stories from This Author
Okinawa Sumo in the Land of Bolivia-Okinawa Migration
Feb. 19, 2009 • Kazuo Miyagi
1. Okinawa Sumo at the Beginning of the MigrationAs part of the Ryukyu government’s group emigration plan, from 1954 to 1964, over 3,200 people moved from Okinawa to Bolivia in 19 different waves. Historical records on Okinawa sumo from that time are scarce. On September 18, 1955, the Okinawa Sumo Tournament took place as a form of entertainment. The union offices and migrant housing of the time were built along the Palometillas River. Because the white sands of the riverbanks …
