By request, a picture of Tokyo (albeit atypical). Every year there's a samba carnival in Asakusa; there's a large Brazilian population here (many of who are of Japanese descent). I went last year; it was a lot of fun, but far tamer than Rio! People are more content to sit than to dance.
4 comments:
Thanks!
But this is not the Asakusa that I used to know... I must say I'm a bit shocked.
When I left Japan in the late ’80s the first wave of Japanese Brazilian migration to Japan began, but the number was small, and most were settling outside the metropolitan area. I wonder if they are happy to be there. Because of the huge cultural differences I imagine it's extremely difficult for them to adjust to the society.
It's kind of funny and ironic that some of my European friends happily moved to Brazil, and there are some others who are seriously thinking about moving there as well.
So the samba carnival is relatively new? Hee. There quite large Japanese Brazilian communities now so it's perfectly possible to spend all one's time with Brazilians speaking Portuguese; it can make it more challenging to improve one's Japanese. The people I know seem pretty happy. They have more fun than I do. There certainly seem to be a lot of differences culturally. I think it's gotten easier to adjust - at least a lot more of the younger generations are more open and interested in Central and South American culture, etc. to begin with. I have a couple friends who love travelling to Latin America and other friends who did study abroad programs there. The media also reflects more openness, I believe. There have been dramas and such about the Japanese who immigrated to South America and there are popular Brazilian celebrities.
That's funny that your European friends happily moved to Brazil. Economic reasons seem pretty significant for a lot of people I know who moved here (whether from Korea, China, Brazil, etc.).
Well, it's good to know that they are enjoying the life in Japan, and that Japanese society seems to be more open to people from other countries now than when I was living there. By the way, some of my friends moved to Brazil since the quality of life is much better for the same amount of money - but of course, that's if one can earn at least half of what she/he is earning in New York City for instance. So, it's not an option for everybody.
Apparently it's still difficult for a foreigner to rent an apt. here though! A friend of a friend is having difficulty :P
I know a lot of people who moved away from the SF Bay area for the same reason - much better standard of living for the same amount of money in other parts of the country :)
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