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Chile and Japanese immigration

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Published: July 8, 2007 Modified: April 11, 2025

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Chile and Japanese immigration

Poultry farmer in the Lontué area (Small Poultry Farmer in Lontué (VIIRegion))

Within the productive activity, there were also farmers, poultry farmers and beekeepers. The term "Japanese colony" does not fit the Chilean reality, since, as there was no official immigration, there was no room for Japanese groups. The closest thing to this concept was achieved by small groups of two or three families who revolved around a version close to that of the "big brother" or the "senpai/koohai" relationship. Under these conditions, the "Chilean Japanese" was born, who left aside part of what they brought and assimilated part of the culture they found. -- Morioka family photo. Katsuyoshi Morioka in Lontué, Chile. Activity he carried out before the age of 50. Later he established himself in the ornamental flower business in La Calera. He arrived in Chile with his wife and two children in 1929. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Hairdresser

The vast majority of Japanese immigrants arrived without knowing the language or customs of this country. For this reason, they preferred jobs where the use of language was secondary and those activities that they could perform without depending on third parties. Added to this is the proligity of the Japanese people, which is why independent work reached the highest percentage (43%) where the trade of hairdresser (barber) was especially preferred (30%). Therefore, the Japanese who settled in the northern mining area did not lean towards extractive activity but preferred commerce or the provision of services. -- Learning the trade of hairdresser. Reference: Series of drawings by Keiko Fuentes on life situations of Japanese immigrants. Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Importer merchant in Concepción (Concepción Merchant)

Trade provided work for 24% and the status of employee for 15%. Most of the trade was dedicated to import stores, toy stores, parcel stores, restaurants and bars, among others. Trade was varied in terms of categories and levels and contributed significantly to the dispersion of our immigrants throughout the territory. -- Merchant Concepción Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Wheat harvest at the "Hacienda Caupolicán" (Harvest at Hacienda Caupolicán)

In accordance with the petty interests of the war, the Japanese ended up being victims of a) the expulsion of families living in mining centers b) the relegation of 74 Japanese from January 1943 when Chile declared war on Japan c) the deportation of 78 people to Japan. A small group formed the "Hacienda Caupolicán" to help in part the families that were left helpless. The management of this hacienda, which unfortunately only lasted for two and a half years, constitutes the only experience in Chile where there could be identification with the organic Japanese collectivism. -- Located near Rengo (VI Region) between 1943 and the end of the War. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Family of professional Nikkei (Mánquez-Hatta couple)

Japanese immigrants put all their effort into their children's education. The Nisei and later generations not only surpassed the national standard of completing secondary school, but also went on to higher education, earning a professional degree. Today, professional careers are part of the life plans of all Nikkei teenagers, and over 70% of them over 20 years of age study at universities and professional institutes. -- Living in La Serena and with 8 children, all university-level professionals. Photo of the Mánquez Hatta Family. From left to right: 1st above: Ximena, Patricia, Manuel, Carolina, Erika, María Eliana 2nd below: Alberto (son), Nelly (mother), Alberto (father), Nelly (daughter) Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Mixed marriages (Monma-Bernales marriage)

Mixed marriages (with Chilean women) were widely prevalent in Chile despite: a) the profound difficulties of communication within the couple, b) the differences in customs, c) the weak or non-existent support of a nearby Japanese environment, d) the idiosyncrasy of the Chilean woman who defended her local reality and her ways of life. This situation also led to the rapid introduction of the Christian religion into Japanese families. On the other hand, the scant Japanese cultural heritage that was able to be transmitted to the children was rapidly diluted over the years. -- Viviana Mitsuko, Haruo (father), Alvaro Eizo and Elena (mother). Haruo Monma arrived in Chile in 1936 and is originally from Akita. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Issei marriage (Mizunuma-Igura marriage)

The first Japanese immigrants to settle in Chile were single men. About 50% were under 23 years of age. It took 10 years for the first 5 women to arrive at the beginning of the 20th century. By 1940 the numerical difference between the sexes was not so marked, but there were still three men for every woman. This meant that Issei marriages were very few. -- This couple had two daughters. Hikoichiro died at an early age and his wife returned to Japan with their two daughters. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Issei marriage with their Nisei children (Kita-Sikaura marriage)

Until the 1950s, many immigrants had the idea of returning to Japan and marrying a Japanese woman. But, given the reality they lived, very few were able to fulfill that dream. -- Photo from Shizue Kita's family album. From left to right: Seisaku (father), Mario Masao, Shizue (mother) and Kiyoshi. According to Mario, this photo was taken around 1959, after the death of his older brother Seiji (+23 February 1956). Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Piñata workshop in Santiago (Piñata workshop in Santiago)

The neatness and care of the Japanese, inherited by their descendants, allowed the development of activities such as toy making. In the case of the photo, the piñatas, which were originally simple bags filled with candy and small objects, were transformed into sophisticated and attractive figures, which children enjoyed at every children's party. -- Piñata workshop in Santiago, developed by the Yonekura family, especially by Masao Yonekura and his daughter Yuri Monica. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Small flower growers' group (Japanese small flower growing group)

15% of the Japanese population was engaged in agriculture in the central-southern part of the country. Among the agricultural workers were those who experimented with rice and other cereal crops, and those who cultivated ornamental plants and flowers on a large scale. -- Chrysanthemum cultivation in La Cruz, Chile. This photo was taken around 1934-35 after Tsuguo Suzuki arrived at Suegoro Sone's agricultural field. Standing in the photo: Tsuguo Suzuki, Michio Morioka, Katako Sone, Katsuyoshi Morioka. Seated: Katsuo Morioka, Suegoro Sone, Tadao Juan Sone, Toshio José Luis Sone, Michiko Sone, Satoko Sone, Toshiko Morioka. Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Port of Valparaíso (View of Valparaíso at the beginning of the 20th century)

This port is the main one in Chile and was key in navigation through the Pacific before the construction of the Panama Canal. It was the gateway to the central and southern part of the country for all immigrants until after World War II, and for the Japanese it was no exception. In April 1883, this port was visited by the Japanese training ship, Ryujo. Then, in 1897, the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was signed between the two countries. -- Valparaíso is the main port of Chile. At the beginning of the 20th century, this port played a very important role in the economic and cultural exchange between Chile and other countries. All the Japanese who arrived until the 1950s in the central-southern area of Chile entered through this port. Reference: Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Chacabuco Saltpeter Office (Chacabuco Saltpeter Office 1930)

Since the 19th century, the northern part of Chile has been a notable focus of attraction due to the various sources of work offered by the extraction of saltpeter. Waves of European emigrants, protected by the government, arrived to occupy the best jobs, under privileged conditions. On the other hand, the few Japanese who enter Chilean territory come alone, without any official protection and using their own resources. Among them are the children of relatively well-off families of merchants, farmers and military personnel. Some sailors who landed on the Chilean coast and official immigrants from neighboring countries who, upon completion of their contracts, continued on to Chile also arrived. At the beginning of the 20th century, the saltpeter activities attracted these immigrants and most began to settle in the extensive northern territories. -- Chacbuco Saltpeter Office 1930 Reference: Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

Lonely arrival of an immigrant (Lonely Arrival of Immigrant)

The 1875 Population Census records the first two Japanese people settled in our territory and a decade later, it counts 51, despite the fact that during those years Chile was experiencing a war against its neighbours Peru and Bolivia. Initially, men arrived alone, directly from Japan or as a second emigration from those countries that officially welcomed Japanese immigrants, as is the case of Peru. The 1907 Census records the residence of 209 Japanese, among whom are the first 5 women. By 1940, their number had risen to 948. Let us remember that although there were efforts by organisations such as the "Transoceanic Emigration Company" to have the country accept official immigration, Chile never accepted. The will of a ruling class with strong xenophobic tendencies always prevailed. -- Solitary Arrival of an Immigrant Reference: Series of drawings by Keiko Fuentes on the living situations of Japanese immigrants. Collection belonging to the Nikkei-Chile Virtual Documentation Center.

This collection shows at a glance the future of the Japanese who in one way or another arrived and settled in Chile, leaving a contribution of Japanese culture through their descendants, the Chilean Nikkei. The collection is based on the article "Chile and Japanese emigrants" by Ariel Takeda, published in the Community Forum. Click here to see the article

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Poultry farmer in the Lontué area (Small Poultry Farmer in Lontué (VIIRegion))

Hairdresser

Importer merchant in Concepción (Concepción Merchant)

Wheat harvest at the "Hacienda Caupolicán" (Harvest at Hacienda Caupolicán)

Family of professional Nikkei (Mánquez-Hatta couple)

Mixed marriages (Monma-Bernales marriage)

Issei marriage (Mizunuma-Igura marriage)

Issei marriage with their Nisei children (Kita-Sikaura marriage)

Piñata workshop in Santiago (Piñata workshop in Santiago)

Small flower growers' group (Japanese small flower growing group)

Port of Valparaíso (View of Valparaíso at the beginning of the 20th century)

Chacabuco Saltpeter Office (Chacabuco Saltpeter Office 1930)

Lonely arrival of an immigrant (Lonely Arrival of Immigrant)

Chile Valparaiso

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