Interviews

1. Being Nikkei: A Double Responsibility (Spanish)

2. The Power of Language: Japanese Identity Constructed in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (Spanish)

3. The Image of Japan: Expectations versus Reality (Spanish)

4. The Impact of Technology in Japan (Spanish)

5. A Possible Path towards Happiness… (Spanish)

Ashimine Oshiro,Masakatsu Jaime

(1958-2014) Former Bolivian Ambassador to Japan

The Impact of Technology in Japan (Spanish)

(Spanish) Um, obviously, Japan is a very technological country. It is very advanced scientifically, so everybody who comes here to study should exploit that opportunity as much as possible. And they should see it from our point of view, the Latino point of view, which would be a point of view where not only commerce but also human beings are the driving force behind technological innovation. I feel that, if we apply technology for the benefit of human beings this world can get on the right track. But, if we apply technology only for commercial purposes, we are once again on the wrong road.

identity science technology

Date: March 24, 2009

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Interviewer: Alberto Matsumoto

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

Interviewee Bio

Born January 11th, 1958 in Santa Cruz city, Bolivia. Graduated from Universidad Técnica de Oruro, Facultad Nacional de Ingeniería (Oruro Technical University, Public School of Engineering) in 1987. From 1989 to 1999, he worked at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). At around the same time, he also acted as supervisor of Santa Cruz city’s Servicio Geológico de Bolivia (GeoBol - Geological Service of Bolivia). From 1989 to 2000, he was the administration manager at food company, IMBA. Later, from 1998 to 2000, he was the chairman of Ashimine Motors, and from 2000 to 2006, he was the regional manager of Santa Cruz at Christian Auto Motors (Toyota Representative). In March 2007, he was named Resident Japanese Ambassador Extraordinaire by the Evo Morales administration, and moved to Japan in April. After fulfilling his duties, he returned in March 2009.

He passed away on June 2014 at age 56. (December 2014)