Ryoichi Kodama

Kasato-maru immigrants

Moving to Brazil wanting to see the world (Japanese) In the boat on the way to Brazil (Japanese) Experiences in the farmlands (Japanese) The first Japanese driver in Brazil (Japanese) Affect of the World War II (Japanese)

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Ryoichi Kodama was born in Hiroshima in July of 1895. He immigrated to Brazil in 1908 aboard the Kasato-maru, which carried the very first group of Japanese immigrants to Brazil. Kodama, who was brought over to Brazil under a contract, worked on a farmland called Dumont, along the Mogiana railroads, for 4 years. Thereafter, he would become the first Japanese person to obtain a Brazilian driver’s license, and would make his living as a driver. He held a vast knowledge regarding the Kasato-maru immigration, and was known as the “Living Encyclopedia” in the city of Presidente Prudente. He was also an active member of the Hiroshima Kenjin-kai as well as the local cultural association. (1998)

Brazil immigration migration agriculture farming drivers discrimination driving racism World War II