Qué llevó a miles de japoneses a emigrar a América Latina | BBC Mundo

Summary

The video explores the historical migration of Japanese people to Latin America, starting with Japan's transformation during the Meiji Era. Following Japan's opening to the world in 1868, the government promoted emigration to relieve overpopulation and expand influence. Thousands of Japanese migrated to countries like Brazil, Peru, and Mexico, driven by opportunities in agriculture and industry. This migration wave continued after World War II, but by the 1970s, economic recovery in Japan led many Nikkei descendants to return. The video highlights the deep connections between Japan and Latin America shaped by these migration cycles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japan was once isolated due to both its geographical position and the sakoku policy, which limited foreign contact to prevent Christian infiltration.
• 😀 The sakoku policy ended in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration, leading to Japan's rapid transformation and modernization, opening the country to the world.
• 😀 Japan's rapid modernization during the Meiji era (1868–1912) saw the country shift from a feudal agricultural society to an industrial capitalist nation.
• 😀 As a result of industrialization, Japan faced overcrowding in its cities, which led the government to encourage mass migration abroad.
• 😀 Brazil hosts the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, followed by significant communities in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.
• 😀 The first Japanese migrants to Latin America came from the Meiji era, seeking both economic opportunities and fleeing societal challenges in Japan.
• 😀 The Japanese government facilitated this migration to relieve overpopulation in urban areas and expand Japan's political and economic influence abroad.
• 😀 The Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Japan and Peru in 1873 marked the start of formal diplomatic relations and migration to Latin America.
• 😀 In Mexico, between 1900 and 1910, around 10,000 Japanese workers arrived, as President Porfirio Díaz sought foreign capital and labor for development.
• 😀 After the U.S. and Canada closed their doors to Japanese immigrants, many migrants shifted towards South America, especially Brazil and Peru, due to labor shortages in key industries like sugar and coffee.
• 😀 Post-World War II, Japan's recovery led to reverse migration, with many descendants of Japanese immigrants returning to Japan during the economic boom of the 1970s and 1990s.

Q & A

What is the Sakoku policy, and how did it affect Japan?

The Sakoku policy was a policy of isolation implemented by Japan during the Edo period. It prohibited foreign travel to and from Japan in an effort to prevent Christian influence. This isolation lasted for over two centuries until the end of the Edo period in 1868.

How did the Meiji Restoration impact Japan's development?

The Meiji Restoration, which began in 1868, marked a period of rapid modernization and transformation in Japan. It ended feudalism, industrialized the country, and established a national educational system, a constitution, and a parliamentary system, setting the stage for Japan's rise as a global power.

What was the primary purpose of Japan's migration efforts during the Meiji era?

Japan promoted migration during the Meiji era primarily to relieve overpopulation in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Additionally, Japan aimed to expand its political and economic influence abroad, especially as it sought recognition and power in the global arena.

What countries in Latin America received Japanese immigrants during the early migration waves?

Countries in Latin America that received Japanese immigrants included Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. Brazil, in particular, became home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.

Why did Japan focus on sending immigrants to Latin America?

Japan focused on sending immigrants to Latin America because these countries had vast, underpopulated areas that could benefit from a new labor force. Additionally, Japan sought to expand its influence in these countries during a time of Western expansion and colonial competition.

How did Japan facilitate its migration programs?

Japan facilitated its migration programs by providing financial assistance, such as loans, to Japanese citizens who wished to migrate. The government also coordinated the migration process directly through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signing treaties with countries like Peru and Mexico to ensure the migration flow.

What role did treaties play in Japanese migration to Latin America?

Treaties played a significant role in Japanese migration, particularly the 1873 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation with Peru, which allowed Japanese citizens to migrate there. Japan also established consulates in Latin American countries like Mexico to support and manage migration.

What was the impact of Japanese migration on Brazil and Peru?

In Brazil, Japanese migration helped meet the labor demand for coffee plantations after the abolition of slavery. By 1908, over 250,000 Japanese had migrated to Brazil. In Peru, Japanese immigrants contributed significantly to the sugar industry, with the first group arriving in 1899. Both countries benefitted from Japanese labor in key agricultural sectors.

How did World War II affect Japanese migration patterns?

After World War II, Japan was devastated, and many Japanese sought refuge in Latin America, particularly Brazil and Peru, continuing the migration trend. However, starting in the 1970s, Japan's recovery and economic boom led to a reverse migration, with many Nikkei (Japanese descendants) returning to Japan to take advantage of its growing economy.

What is the current state of the Japanese community in Latin America?

Today, the Japanese community in Latin America, particularly in countries like Brazil and Peru, remains strong, though many descendants have integrated into local societies. Japan's economy has also seen the return of many Nikkei, especially from Brazil, making them the third-largest foreign group in Japan by the 1990s.