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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1546/

On becoming a Japanese national (Japanese)

(Japanese) Actually, I feel like I should and can become a Japanese national any time. It’s just that I need to get all materials, and this might sound a bit rude, but in my current job, I don’t have any problems being Brazilian - I’ve never had such problems - so I’ve remained Brazilian to this day.

So, since I know that I’m not going back to Brazil, with my home here, since I’m going to live my life in Japan with everyone here, maybe I should become a national as soon as possible. But I think I’ll do that when I need to, at the right time.

And I believe that nothing about me will change even if I become a national. I mean, I am still from Brazil and I’ll probably want to stick to my name Paulo.


Brazilians citizenship identity Japanese Nikkei in Japan

Date: October 18, 2016

Location: Gunma, Japan

Interviewer: Shigeru Kojima

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

Interviewee Bio

Paulo Issamu Hirano was born in São Paulo in January, 1979. As a Sansei whose grandparents are from Kumamoto Prefecture, he grew up in the Monte Kemel region near Liberdade. In 1989, he moved to Japan as his father, who had come as a dekasegi, called on him. Ever since, he has lived in Oizumi-machi in Gunma Prefecture. At first he was having a hard time with the language, but he made more friends as he learned Japanese. Currently he supports the Brazilian community as a graphic designer with his Japanese skills. In 2009, he started his own business and runs a design studio now. He publishes free magazines that introduce Oizumi-machi. He dedicates his life to making Oizumi-machi a Brazil town. (August, 2017)

Peggie Nishimura Bain
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Getting citizenship back

(b.1909) Nisei from Washington. Incarcerated at Tule Lake and Minidoka during WWII. Resettled in Chicago after WWII

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Peggie Nishimura Bain
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Response to loyalty questionnaire

(b.1909) Nisei from Washington. Incarcerated at Tule Lake and Minidoka during WWII. Resettled in Chicago after WWII

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Enson Inoue
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Citizenship and identity

(b. 1967) Hawai`i-born professional fighter in Japan

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Yumi Matsubara
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Why I got my American citizenship (Japanese)

Shin-Issei from Gifu. Recently received U.S. citizenship

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Yumi Matsubara
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The reactions of others when I got my American citizenship (Japanese)

Shin-Issei from Gifu. Recently received U.S. citizenship

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Peter Mizuki
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Japanese wife with American citizenship

Sansei Japanese American living in Japan and Kendo practioner

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Sakaye Shigekawa
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No use in having citizenship

(1913-2013) Doctor specializing in obstetrics in Southern California

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Henry Suto
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Being enlisted into the Japanese Army

(1928 - 2008) Drafted into both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.

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Henry Suto
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Reaction to the Emperor’s surrender

(1928 - 2008) Drafted into both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.

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Hiroshi Sakane
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A strong Japanese identity (Japanese)

(b. 1948) Executive Director of Amano Museum

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Hiroshi Sakane
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On being thought of as a Japanese person (Japanese)

(b. 1948) Executive Director of Amano Museum

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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How I became a volunteer at the International Association of Yamato (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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Several ways to participate and integrate into Japanese society (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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The challenge for Peruvian children of going to school in Japan (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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Toshiko Elena Onchi
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The identity crisis of Peruvian children in Japan (Spanish)

Japanese Peruvian in Japan

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