Asako Sakamoto
@AsakoSakamotoHe started as a Japanese language teacher in Mexico in 1998, and has since been involved in Japanese language education in the United States and Japan, mainly for Japanese descendants. In graduate school, he investigated and researched Japan's bloodline principle through issues related to Japanese South Americans in Japan. From 2014 to 2017, he was assigned to Brazil as a JICA Senior Volunteer for Japanese Communities. He is currently working as a Japanese language teacher in Japan.
(Updated October 2017)
Stories from This Author
10th Hometown
Feb. 1, 2018 • Asako Sakamoto
The mountains where I chased rabbits, the rivers where I fished for small crucian carp, my dreams still wander through my unforgettable hometown How are my parents? Are my friends safe? Even in the wind and rain, I remember my hometown. I will fulfill my ambition and one day return to my hometown, where the mountains are blue and the water is pure. - Song "Furusato" The third Tome-Acu Respect for the Aged Day was held in the final year …
No. 9: Takataku's passion will last forever
Nov. 17, 2017 • Asako Sakamoto
My mission as a JICA volunteer has come to an end. For several months before returning home, I visited various schools as if I was in a rush to finish my activities. After returning home, I was busy with various procedures and job hunting, and now, after three months, I have finally regained my composure. It has been a long time since my last contribution, but there was something I had always wanted to write about during my term. This …
No.8 Agriculture in Toméassu
Nov. 21, 2016 • Asako Sakamoto
"This is where the Amazon immigrants first arrived." Wataru Sakaguchi Francisco, former president of CAMTA (Tomé-Açu General Agricultural Cooperative), told us about a small riverbank on a tributary of the Amazon River. 189 people from 43 families arrived here in 1929. They first started producing cacao. They worked with South America Colonization Co., Ltd., which was established with investment from Kanegafuchi Spinning Co., Ltd., which was instructed by the Japanese government to develop the Amazon. In 1931, the Akara Vegetable …
Part 7: A young American returns to Tome-Asu after 74 years
Aug. 1, 2016 • Asako Sakamoto
"Something amazing happened the day before yesterday! An American who came to Tome-Acu during the war brought us a baseball!" says Keiichi Otohata, president of the Tome-Acu Cultural Association in the state of Pará, excitedly. When I asked him, "A baseball?" he replied with a smile, "It's a touching story that could be made into a movie." In 1942, Jordan Young, an American studying at a university in Sao Paulo, learned that World War II had begun and began the …
Part 6: Tracing the history of Castanha Japanese Language School
May 16, 2016 • Asako Sakamoto
The locked door is opened and we enter, and it's a little chilly. The electricity is off, but the sunlight from outside makes it bright enough. First, at the front, there is the school song and motto. On the right wall is a portrait of the school's first principal, Nobushige Tokiharu. To the left is the staff room. Although covered in dust, all of the teaching materials piled up still look like they could be used today. There are about …
Part 5: Milestones and Encounters
Feb. 29, 2016 • Asako Sakamoto
Last year, various events were held in both countries to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. Various events were also held in various places here in the Amazon, and I believe that Japan has become more well-known in Brazilian society than ever before. I was lucky to be able to participate in many of these milestone years that occurred during my term of office. However, this was not the only milestone year …
Part 4: From pioneer to entrepreneur
Dec. 9, 2015 • Asako Sakamoto
"Would you like to have a drink sometime soon?" I was invited by Tadashi Sudo, who is a drinking buddy that I meet up with once a month together with the Japan-Brazil Association and fellow volunteers, and who is one of the few friends I met in Brazil. He doesn't drink much, but he's good at getting people to drink. He's 182 cm tall, has a very kind face with slightly drooping eyes. When I asked him, "Are you popular?" …
3rd Summer Festival
Sept. 7, 2015 • Asako Sakamoto
"Can I participate in the Bon Odori again this year?" I received a call from the president of the women's association, and realized that a year had passed since then. Last year, only about two weeks after I was assigned to Belem, I was invited to the summer festival and participated. I had no idea how long it would take to get there, what events would be held, or how many people would participate, but I was taken to the …
2nd Japanese Language Education
July 22, 2015 • Asako Sakamoto
It has been 120 years since diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil were established in 1895. Since then, various commemorative events have been held throughout Brazil to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in various fields such as culture, art, and economy. At the annual book fair held in Belem the other day, the theme country of Japan's culture was introduced. A 120th anniversary ceremony was also held, where Governor Simon Giattene awarded medals to 14 Japanese organizations and …
Part 1: Prologue
June 3, 2015 • Asako Sakamoto
Last August, I was assigned to the Northern Brazil Japanese Language Promotion Center in Belem, Pará, Brazil, as a JICA senior volunteer for the Japanese community. The center is located in the same building as the Japan-Brazil Association and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and from the first day of my work there, I have met many Japanese and Japanese-Brazilians. I had heard about it before coming to Brazil, but I never imagined that Japan would remain so prevalent here. …
