Dekasegi Story
In 1988, I read a news article about dekasegi and had an idea: "This might be a good subject for a novel." But I never imagined that I would end up becoming the author of this novel...
In 1990, I finished my first novel, and in the final scene, the protagonist Kimiko goes to Japan to work as a dekasegi worker. 11 years later, when I was asked to write a short story, I again chose the theme of dekasegi. Then, in 2008, I had my own dekasegi experience, and it left me with a lot of questions. "What is dekasegi?" "Where do dekasegi workers belong?"
I realized that the world of dekasegi is very complicated.
Through this series, I hope to think about these questions together.
Stories from this series
Episode 23 (Part 2) I wanted to say "You don't have to come"
Dec. 31, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
Hiroyuki steeled himself and told Sanae the truth. He told her that while he was a student in Brazil, he had a child and moved in with the child's mother, Maria do Rosario, and that two years later, he came to Japan alone to work. Sanae listened in silence. Hiroyuki was surprised that she didn't show any anger or upset. Then she took out a box from the dresser drawer and handed the photos inside to Hiroyuki. "He was an …
Episode 23 (Part 1) I wanted to say, "You don't have to come," but
Nov. 25, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
That day, when he hung up the phone, Hiroyuki was so surprised that he was stunned for a moment. "I'll come over there next time!" the words of his wife, whom he had left behind in Brazil, rang in his ears. At first he thought she was joking, but Maria do Rosario was serious. "I told you before! I'd follow you to Japan! The time has come." Hiroyuki was confused. Until now, his wife had only called for one reason. …
Episode 22 (Part 2) Where is Glausha Now?
Oct. 15, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
Part 1 >> Kazue had fallen in love with Jackson, who was 12 years younger than her, but she was finally unable to bear the domestic violence and was thinking of running away. The next morning, when Fasineira 1 arrived at the apartment, she found Kazue collapsed in the living room. Fasineira called an ambulance. Kazue was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to her face and arms, and was hospitalized. Jackson stole jewelry, a computer, and credit cards …
Episode 22 (Part 1) Where is Glausha Now?
Aug. 27, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
"I want to be a hairdresser," Kazue said, so she left the town where she was born and raised and went to São Paulo. She even took a year off from high school to live and train at her uncle's hair salon. After that, she got her hairdresser's license and started working at her uncle's salon full time. One day, at her uncle's suggestion, Kazue participated in a national beauty contest and won first place. This prompted her to set …
第二十一話 ミッちゃんと「日本のおばあちゃん」
July 30, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
台風が通り過ぎた翌日のことでした。その日の朝は蒸し暑く、ミッちゃんは赤いランドセルを背負って、水筒を持って学校に向かって歩いていました。 「どっちが暑いのかなあ。ブラジルの夏と日本の夏では」と、まだはっきりと分からないようでした。ミッちゃんは、半年前までブラジルに住んでおり、日差しが強い日は、友だちと外で遊ぶよりベランダで本を読む方が好きでした。バチャン1の作るおいしいココナッツアイスクリームも大好きでした。ブラジルの生活の方が比べものにならないくらい良かったと思っていまし…
第二十話 「サッカーワールドカップで会いましょう」
June 18, 2014 • Laura Honda-Hasegawa
「Copa do Mundo1」がブラジルで開催されると決まった時、ケントは跳び上がって喜んだ。サッカー好きの少年は、学校から戻るといつも、宿題をするのも忘れて、近くの原っぱでボールを蹴っていた。母親はしかたのないものと受け入れるしかなかった。ケントの父親もサッカー好きで、プロになろうと思っていた頃もあったのだ。 「パパイ2が日本から帰って来られたらいいのになあ。そうしたら、一緒にテレビでプレーを見られるし、スタジアムにも行けたらいいなあ！」と、ケントは強く願った。 母親は…
