Interviews

1. How I became a volunteer at the International Association of Yamato (Spanish)

2. The importance of knowing the Japanese language (Spanish)

3. Several ways to participate and integrate into Japanese society (Spanish)

4. The challenge for Peruvian children of going to school in Japan (Spanish)

5. The identity crisis of Peruvian children in Japan (Spanish)

6. The breakdown of the family structure as a result of the deskasegi movement (Spanish)

Onchi,Toshiko Elena

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

The importance of knowing the Japanese language (Spanish)

(Spanish) Well, from the beginning I had contact with Latinos ... Well everyone ... At that time there was a lot of work. All were devoted to work, but not this ... to generate knowledge of the Japanese language and Japanese culture. At that time it was not essential. But no one can say that it will last long, right? Well, that was my way of thinking. So I always told them to study the language, at least the basics, because if they are now in a job and when they leave that job, or they get fired, to find another one. Because every year that goes by, they (the jobs) require more of the language. Before it was conversation, but later writing, even if [UI], and then they required to write reports. So every time the language was more demanding. But those who were working for many years felt confident and secure that they were going to continue working right? I*: In that way. In that way. Well, as there were also interpreters…The companies that had many foreigners relied on interpreters. * "I" indicates an interviewer (Alberto Matsumoto).

Date: March 24, 2009

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Interviewer: Alberto Matsumoto

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

Interviewee Bio

Born in Peru. Starting in 1980, she managed ELECTRONICA MORUMBI S.R.L., a company specializing in building and repairing electronics, for about ten years. After moving to Japan in September of 1990, she first registered as a volunteer of the Globalization Committee of Yamato city. Later, she remained active as an interpreter and consultant, and also stayed engaged with the AMDA (American Medical Directors Association) Medical Information Center.

From 2001, she worked as an interpreter and consultant for South American Nikkei workers at the Industrial Employment Stabilization Center’s Kanagawa location, and from 2002 to 2005, she worked for TOKIO NIKKEIS (Ueno/Shinjuku area employment stabilization center), a firm operated by the same agency. In addition, she served as a translator for the Administrative Procedures Office’s Futaba branch, for the businesses in the community, and currently for the “Training of Nikkei For Employment Preparation”—a project commissioned by the Overseas Nikkei Association.

In Yamato city, she is a local radio host on FM YAMATO, and she is also a member of the city sponsored “Multicultural Coexistence Convention” and the “Regional Welfare Planning and Implementation Committee”. (July 2010)