Learning about Japanese culture in Brazil
This question; ‘Why are there so many Japanese people living in Brazil?’ I have asked myself since I moved to Brazil. In a lot of major cities there is a thriving Japanese community with dance, music, architecture and restaurants. In Rio de Janeiro in the Botanical garden there is a Japanese section. In São Paulo the neighborhood of Liberdade is the largest community of Japanese people in Brazil. There are stores full of Japanese items, hello kitty products, museums about Japan and the immigration story and lots more.
A short history
The story of why the largest group of Japanese people living outside Japan is living in Brazil starts with the Industrial Revolution and the abolition of slavery. On May 13th 1888 enslaved people were set free because of the change in the law. Plantations needed the workers but not all of them wanted to remain working there. After that the coffee plantations started to grow and grow but they didn’t have enough people to farm the land. During the same time in Japan the Industrial Revolution resulted in lots of people without jobs and there was an overpopulation going on too. The two governments first started to talk with each other in the late 1890’s and the first ship of Japanese workers came to Brazil in 1908.
First years of Japanese workers in Brazil
The prejudice against people from Asia and Japan was really strong. But even so the Brazilians needed the manpower. The Japanese immigrants started to work in the state São Paulo on different coffee plantations. The culture shock was very big, the food, language, way of life and climate were so different that many never adapted well to their new environment. Lots of people thought that they would become rich and move back but only a few did. Because of the conditions of immigration, first generation immigrants were able to buy land after 7 years of work. Because only families were allowed, a lot of Japanese people didn’t want to move back after the initial years because they would have to start again. But because of the harsh circumstances they tried to keep most of the Japanese culture intact. They started Japanese schools, imported Japanese products and kept a lot of traditions and culture alive.
The great immigration after First World War
After the First World War ended the amount of immigrants increased a lot! Between 1917 and 1940, 164,000 Japanese arrived in Brazil to start a new life. America didn’t permit Japanese people to enter the country and the Japanese government advertised with a lot of wealth if you would go to Brazil. It became quite easy to gain jobs and a good life so that was why most people chose to come and try.
During this time it started to become more and more evident that some people had trouble with immigrants coming over. They started to talk about what Japanese immigrants were ‘taking away’ from the Brazilians. Some political parties emphasized Brazilian nationalism by repressing the culture of immigrants who had close knit communities such as the Japanese and Germans. By 1938 a decree was made that you couldn’t speak a foreign language in public. Only Portuguese or bilingual newspapers were allowed. Because it was too expensive to have a bilingual newspaper they essentially were banned from printing their own newspaper. They couldn’t be politically active, they closed Japanese schools, radio and tv in a foreign language was banned and much more.
It became really hard for Japanese (and other) immigrants to communicate with each other in public. Most of them didn’t speak Portuguese.
Second World War
With the outbreak of the Second World War the thought of moving back to Japan was essentially made impossible. Because Brazil sided with America the Japanese people were considered ‘the enemy’. This time was the hardest for the Japanese immigrants and their children. Theft and abuse was common among the Japanese communities. They had trouble traveling, opening a bank, investing and setting up their daily lives. In 1942 and 1943 a lot of Japanese and German people were forced to leave their homes and businesses within 24 hours. Some because of a false rumor that intel was given to German submarines others because of fear of what they might do to the community. They were placed in concentration camps where people were treated horribly. In newspapers of that time Japanese were considered degraded beings.
Right after the Second World War
After the Second World War ended the Japanese immigrants started to communicate with their families in Japan and realized how bad the situation was there. That was the moment that they knew the chance of them moving back to Japan was gone. They started to think more about how to integrate in Brazilian culture. Not only for them but also for their children. Because of this change many Japanese families migrated to the cities, especially São Paulo.
Right after the war there was a strange situation going on. Shindo Renmei, a terrorist organization that was formed in Brazil, started to claim that the war was won by Japan. In saying so they wanted to claim superiority over anyone who claimed otherwise. They even started to kill Japanese civilians who believed in the Japanese defeat. Ultimately most of the leaders were put in prison and they couldn’t continue to exist.
Integration after the war and now
Only after the early 1950’s new Japanese immigrants were able to come to Brazil. During the sixties and seventies Japanese communities became more open and started to integrate more. By this time the fourth and fifth generation have fully integrated into Brazilian society. Though they do recognize and appreciate their heritage. Some younger Japanese take great pride in sharing their culture by selling artworks, showcasing traditional Japanese dance or performing their traditional music.
I have been to the Museum of Immigration where you can learn even more about this story. If you have the chance to go to the Museum of Immigration I would absolutely recommend it, especially if you are interested in history and Japan. They have some artwork there too. It is in the neighborhood of Liberdade in São Paulo and it is so interesting to be there. It is much fun to walk around, go shopping in a Japanese store and have really good Japanese food in one of the many restaurants. We went to a traditional one and it was really good.
The Japanese garden in the Botanical Gardens in Rio de Janeiro was also worth the visit and if you are in Curitiba go to the Japanese square. (Praça do Japão). I have seen Japanese dances in Curitiba and I know that in São Paulo there are events too. In Curitiba there is a Sunday market and close by is the Memorial de Curitiba and they perform there sometimes.
Living in Brazil and learning the story of the Japanese people was quite a surprise but I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn and see so many wonderful Japanese place. I love the restaurants in Liberdade, de garden in Curitiba and de Botanical Gardens in Rio de Janeiro.
Is Brazil accessible for wheelchair users?
Museums*
Most bigger museums have ramps and elevators. But smaller museums or museums in smaller cities don’t. So of course you need to check before you go because it will be different museum to museum.
Café’s and restaurants
There are so many places where you can enter but a lot of place don’t have ramps. Bathrooms in smaller places usually are upstairs. You can always go to a shopping mall because they have food courts that are accessible.
Public transport
Bad in most cities. Some busses have a ramp but a lot of them have steps. The busstops are not alway even and you will need help for sure. For a hassle free trip it’s easier to use Uber or taxi.
Toilets
If you go inside malls or other public places you will have a designated toilet for wheelchair users.
*And other attractions
Items I love while traveling
Collapsible sunglasses case
My sunglasses are a great way to accessorize my outfit and I want it to stay without scratches. This case is great for you in your purse or backpack. When you don’t use it, it folds flat which is great.
XD Design roll top bag pack
My roll top backpack is almost 3 years old but I still use it every day, not only when I travel. Because of the roll top and the add lock system it is anti-theft. It’s also cut proof and water resistant. There is a separate section for your laptop and water bottle.
Sun hat for ponytail or bun
On days where I want to look a bit more put together I use this great sun hat, also with a whole for my bun or pony tail. Love it!!!