Latest news with #Japanese-Brazilian
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Peace Museum in Brazil to Rise from Ashes, Convey Survivor Stories Again
FREI ROGERIO, Brazil — The reconstruction of a peace museum in southern Brazil, established by an association of survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing and their descendants, is well underway about a decade after it was destroyed in a fire. The 'Museu da Paz' (Peace Museum) in the city of Frei Rogerio is seen as a poignant testament to the enduring hopes for peace carried by Japanese immigrants who survived the atomic bombing before making new lives in South America. The reconstruction of the facility that chronicles the tragedy of the atomic bombing clearly shows how the deep-seated desire for peace among survivors has taken root in Brazil. The work is a collaborative effort between Japanese-Brazilian immigrants and the local government with a completion target by the end of this year, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The museum was built in 2010 with support from the Brazilian government and an association founded by three atomic bomb survivors and their families living in Frei Rogerio, including the now 96-year-old Wataru Ogawa. Ogawa's brother-in-law Kazumi Ogawa, who passed away in 2012 at 83, constructed a single-story building for the museum on unused land on the pear farm that he ran. He had moved to Brazil after surviving the bombing of Nagasaki and saw the museum as conveying the belief that 'we must never repeat the misfortune caused by war.' The group acquired 80 panels from Nagasaki of photographs of children with burn scars from the atomic bomb and other items for display in the 420-square-meter structure. The area around the museum was dubbed 'Peace Bell Park.' Wataru Ogawa shared his wartime experiences with about 5,000 visitors annually at the museum, with his third son Naoki, 54, serving as his Portuguese interpreter. In the summer of 1945, Ogawa was a student at the naval engineering school in Otake, Hiroshima Prefecture, where he witnessed the devastation caused by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. At war's end, he returned to his hometown of Nagasaki, which had suffered a similar fate. Shortly after, his hair began to fall out in clumps. Elementary and junior high school students would listen intently to Ogawa's emotional account of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing some to tears. He vividly described the procession of bloated bodies floating down the river, and a childhood friend, reduced to little more than a skeleton, saying with his last breath, 'I can't go on anymore.'Following the fire that destroyed the museum in 2016, the local community quickly banded together to start planning the reconstruction. After a series of meetings with Frei Rogerio municipal officials and other parties, Naoki Ogawa and other second-generation Japanese-Brazilians finalized a project plan in 2020. The plan included financial support from the city and others for rebuilding the museum and constructing an adjoining international exchange facility. Construction was started in April with the goal of completing and reopening the museum by the end of this year. Efforts are currently underway to gather exhibits for display and to prepare materials with cooperation from local universities. 'At a time when there are ongoing wars [around the world], I hope that this will once again become a place where the plea for peace can be spread,' Wataru Ogawa said. Naoki Ogawa's oldest son, now 23, was born on Aug. 9 — the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki — and named Hirakazu using the kanji characters for 'peace,' most often read as 'heiwa.' 'It was my destiny to inherit the desire for peace from the atomic bomb survivors,' Hirakazu said. According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, there were 66 survivors from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings residing in Brazil as of the end of March.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Kipre is a keeper
Focused: Tchetche Kipre training with Penang. — Photo by Penang FC PETALING JAYA: At 37, many footballers would consider winding down, reflecting on past glories. But Tchetche Kipre is doing the opposite, still pushing, still learning, and still respecting the game and those around him. The Ivorian striker is entering his ninth consecutive season in the Malaysian League, this time with Penang and insists that humility and a hunger to grow are keeping him going at the top level. 'I don't have a secret,' said Kipre. 'It's not easy at this age to reach this level, but I work hard and do my best. If there is one thing I believe in, it's respect. 'I still want to learn from the young boys and always listen to what the coaches want. That's what keeps me going.' Kipre's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early days at Ivorian side Jeunesse in 2008 to stints in Tanzania and Oman, his career took off in Malaysia when he joined Terengganu in 2017. Since then, he's become a feared figure in the Super League, with 151 appearances, 69 goals, and 33 assists to his name. His ability to lead the line while elevating teammates with sharp movements and clever link-up plays has become his trademark. Penang coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail has shown faith in the veteran, a belief Kipre is eager to repay. 'It is good with the team and coach Rohaimi. The city is amazing, and the training environment is great. The coach trusts me, and I have no complaints.' Kipre is expected to be one of the four attacking players in the first-eleven for Penang next season, as he forms the striking force with Japanese-Brazilian attacker Bruno Suzuki. On the flanks, the Panthers will have speedsters in the form of Australian Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Bosnian Danilo Sipovac. 'It's about finding the chemistry early and try to achieve that in training,' he said. 'I'm aware not many foreigners stay in this league for so long. But the personal challenge for me is to show people that I can still play and perform in the Super League.' With his trademark calmness in front of goal and relentless drive behind the scenes, don't bet against Kipre making his mark once again.
Asahi Shimbun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Princess Kako welcomed at Japanese-Brazilian school
Princess Kako visits Colegio Oshiman in Sao Paulo on June 7 to interact with fifth-generation Japanese-Brazilian students at the school. (Yuko Kawasaki) SAO PAULO—Princess Kako visited a school in Sao Paulo on June 7, deepening decades-long ties between Japan's imperial family and the Japanese-Brazilian community. The princess met with students at Colegio Oshiman, a private school with a large number of fifth-generation Japanese-Brazilian children. Yukie Isshiki, 16, who visited Japan earlier this year, gave a welcoming speech in fluent Japanese. She described the moving moment of hearing the emperor speak during his New Year's public appearance, saying, 'My heart trembled.' She shared memories of her homestay and added, 'I love Japan even more now.' Kako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito and the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, smiled and applauded the speech. Although most of the students' parents do not speak Japanese, the children are studying the language three times a week. They also participate in calligraphy, flower arrangement and other Japanese cultural activities each week. BIENNIAL TRIP TO JAPAN Every two years, selected students such as Isshiki travel to Japan for a 50-day educational visit. The trip includes attending the emperor's New Year's greeting—a rare opportunity to see the imperial family members during a public appearance. Mayumi Kawamura Madueno Silva, the school's principal, noted the emotional impact of these cultural ties, saying that even students who don't know the emperor's face are moved to tears when they trace their ancestors' roots in Japan. During Kako's visit, the school celebrated the traditional Brazilian "Festa Junina" (June Festival), showcasing folk dances and homemade sweets. After trying Brazilian treats such as fried tapioca and "brigadeiro" (a chocolate dessert), Kako said they were very tasty. The school also maintains a 50-year tradition of letter exchanges with the emperor emeritus and empress emerita. Students regularly send essays and New Year's greetings. In return, they receive letters from the Imperial Household Agency, reporting that the emperor's parents enjoy reading them. 'We write letters every year and even attended the New Year's greeting in Tokyo, but the imperial family still felt distant,' said Isshiki. 'After meeting Princess Kako today, I felt much closer to them. I want to be kind like her.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's Princess Kako Visits Private School in Sao Paulo; Princess Interacts with Students, Samples Local Confectionary
The Yomiuri Shimbun Princess Kako visits a private school in Sao Paulo on Saturday. MARINGA, Brazil — Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, interacted with students during a visit to a private school in Sao Paulo on Saturday. The princess is the first member of the Imperial family to visit the school, known as Oshiman. She was welcomed to the school by students with singing and dancing, and was served traditional local confectionary. 'This is really delicious,' said the princess after eating the sweets. The school, founded in 1993, has about 430 students in total aged from 18-month old preschool children to third-year junior high school. About 70% of the students are of Japanese descent. School principal Mayumi Madueno, 65, is a 3rd generation Japanese Brazilian. Her 96-year-old mother established a Japanese language school in the 1950s after she became concerned that the language and culture inherited from their ancestors would disappear as generations changed. The princess on Sunday traveled by air to Maringa, southwestern Brazil, and attended a welcome ceremony held by a Japanese-Brazilian organization.
Asahi Shimbun
06-06-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
Princess Kako honors Japanese pioneers during Sao Paulo visit
Princess Kako, center, visits the Japanese Pavilion in Sao Paulo's Ibirapuera Park on June 5. (Yuko Kawasaki) SAO PAULO—Princess Kako arrived here on June 5 for an official visit commemorating the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. In a gesture of remembrance, she visited Ibirapuera Park and paid her respects at a memorial site for early Japanese immigrants there. Kako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito and the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, bowed deeply and laid flowers at the monument. According to local guides, Kako was visibly moved and remarked, 'They must have endured incredible hardships.' Brazil is home to the largest Japanese diaspora in the world, with an estimated 2.7 million people of Japanese descent. During her visit to the park, Kako also toured the Japanese Pavilion, a traditional wooden building donated to the city by the Japanese government and Japanese-Brazilian community in 1954. The princess participated in a ceremonial cherry tree planting at the pavilion's garden and expressed her desire to return. 'I hope to come back during cherry blossom season,' she said. Kako will stay in Brazil until June 15 and plans to visit Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and other destinations.
