Relative strength of ethnicity among Japanese-Brazilian youth in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

After over one hundred years of Japanese immigration to Brazil, several studies largely explored the first generations of Japanese and their descendants in Brazil; this article analyzes the younger generations of Japanese descendants in São Paulo city, exploring more recent issues that arise within the ethnic community. As the younger generations move away from the first generations of immigrants some changes were observed in the dynamics of the ethnic community. In order to understand these changes, we focus the analysis on the problem of ethnicity retention by the younger generations. Therefore, the research sought to observe the formation of ethnic identities among Japanese-Brazilian youth by examining the involvement of these young people with ethnic associations. Among the results of this study was observed that there is a tendency among young people of Japanese descent in building a sense of ethnicity by proximity or distance of associations or ethnic groups which can vary greatly depending on the period of life. We could also note that there are various ways to participate in the community according to age, place of residence etc. Overall, the persistence of ethnicity among the younger generations seems to be essential in discussions on the future of Japanese-Brazilian ethnic associations. While there are community apparatus, active associations and youth volunteers that give continuity to all this apparatus, the perception of exist a relatively strong and visible Japanese-Brazilian community (marked by these institutions spread throughout the city of São Paulo) will persist