He was born in 1910, in the midst of Japan's Meiji era, on the small island of Shodohima, in Kagawa Prefecture. It was a time when strict discipline, loyalty, and proper behavior were paramount, and thus Bushido, or the code of ethics and conduct, remained a staple of the Japanese mentality.
According to historical accounts, the Kasamatsu family came from a certain aristocracy, yet they had chosen to discreetly pursue the paths of family discipline and education. In his youth, Hisakazu Kasamatsu moved to the prefectural capital, Takamatsu, where agricultural classes were particularly intensified. There, he had a chance encounter with Professor Imayuki, a visionary in the country's current situation, who urged young people to emigrate abroad, with the goal of broadening their mental scope and experiencing a different life experience in other latitudes, especially in the field of agriculture, and to contribute to the food supply for Japan.
These teachings made a deep impression on the young Hisakazu. It was a time when the global situation was colliding with increasing poverty and famine. Thus, the young people began searching for a horizon to move to, and they envisioned the possibility of a new world, such as the American continent, especially in a country with vast territorial dimensions and possibilities like Brazil.
For his higher education, Hisakazu transferred to Utsunomiya University, where he specialized in agricultural studies. At the same time, he began to develop his leadership skills by addressing students, explaining the situation in the country with a view to moving abroad. Once he graduated, and now holding a degree in agricultural engineering, he began the process of communicating his intention to move abroad, despite the opposition of his family, who felt it was like a farewell with no return.
Since Hisakazu didn't have the responsibility of being the family's primogeniture, he embarked for the New World. Surprisingly, he had been assigned the comfort of a first-class flight. There, the representative of the Ministry of Emigration hired him to assist the other immigrants traveling on the same ship. This was the beginning of a task that, over time, became a growing vocation to which he dedicated his entire life, promoting the settlement, development, and unity of Japanese immigrants in Paraguay.
He arrived in Paraguay in early 1936, after the governments of Japan and Paraguay had agreed to allow 100 Japanese families to enter the country. Kasamatsu had previously been appointed Chief of Land Selection and Planning for the Colony.
Upon arriving at the elected office, called La Colmena, and approved by both governments, the Japanese consul in Argentina, Chihiro Uchida, and the representative of the Colonization of Paraguay, Hisakazu Kasamatsu, arrived on May 15, 1936, a date commemorated as the beginning of Japanese immigration to Paraguay, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2026.
A plan for the colony was drawn up, divided into urban and rural areas. In the latter, 20 hectares were allocated to each immigrant family. Recognizing the existence of many young immigrants without the possibility of pursuing higher education, the first youth association of La Colmena was founded. This was so that they would not perceive their lives as solely about work, but could also offer other incentives, training, and, above all, sports.
In 1941, when the organization of the colony was gradually adapting and developing, the consequences of World War II truncated the immigration process, and they were left without the support of the Japanese government because, in the conflict, Paraguay was an ally of the United States and, therefore, had to declare war on the Empire of Japan.
Although this declaration was symbolic, the diplomats had to be withdrawn. The Japanese government asked Kasamatsu to be in charge of the Japanese representation in Paraguay. The local government respected the immigrants, and it was in this circumstance that mutual rapprochement was demonstrated, and respect, friendship, and cordiality between the colony's leaders and the intervenors appointed by the Paraguayan government flourished.
Beginning in 1953, the reception of the second group of immigrants was organized, already in the postwar period, when the Paraguayan government opened its doors to the inhabitants of the world devastated by World War II. Years later, the Japanese government took over the administration and assistance of immigrants. Currently, approximately 10,000 people, both Japanese and Nikkei, live in the country.
Kasamatsu always kept in mind the virtues that distinguish the Japanese, such as behavior governed by Bushido, ethics, honor, justice, courtesy, respect, honor, and courage in adversity. They also faced every situation with "Yamato Damashii," the strong and indomitable spirit of the Japanese, and it was necessary to maintain a level playing field in social interactions. Class distinctions, whether economic or otherwise, were never allowed.
His inherent discretion led him to conceal his distant ancestry. Some forty years later, when he moved, we began sorting through the documents he had carefully guarded, and there was the Japanese-language record of the history and life of the Kasamatsu family, descended from Prince Sadasumi, sixth son of Emperor Seiwa of Japan. Over time, I understood why Kasamatsu never spoke of or flaunted his ancestry. He wanted to maintain confidentiality so that we would all be equal, without any class distinctions. He wanted to live in harmony with everyone and under similar conditions, in a town of no more than 900 inhabitants.
To foster greater mutual understanding and support among the Japanese, it was necessary to unite and unite. Together with other leaders, he organized and formed the Japanese Association of Asunción and, in support of other colonies, the Federation of Japanese Associations in Paraguay; as well as the Japanese Social and Charity Center and the Association of the Elderly, with the construction of headquarters buildings, so that the Japanese could be united, both in times of hardship and adversity.
He received the decoration of the Rising Sun with Gold Rays and Rosette of the Fourth Degree from Emperor Hirohito of Japan, and the National Order of Merit in the Degree of Commander from the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Juan Carlos Wasmosy.
He passed away on a warm summer morning in Asunción, at the age of 92, with the appreciation and recognition of the Japanese community in Paraguay, abroad, and all his descendants.
© 2025 Emi Kasamatsu
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