The Nikkei Communities in Latin America and Japan
In this course we will explore the Nikkei communities in Latin America from a historical and cultural perspective. Students will analyze the historical background of the Japanese migration to Latin America, the settlement and community development. The analysis of the historical processes will enable the students to understand the contemporary features of Nikkei communities in different Latin American societies. In the second part of the course, we will examine the so-called “return migration” to Japan. This analysis aims to understand these ethnic minorities, whose temporary migration has gradually turned into a permanent stay.
Along the course we aim to consider the main causes and effects of migration, the cultural characteristics of the migrants and their families, and the effects of their settlement on their children education. Additionally, we will discuss the migrants’ identity and the maintenance (or non) of their heritage language.