It was on June 18, 1908, that the ship Kasato Maru docked in Santos with the first 781 Japanese immigrants.
Little by little, the conflicts of World War II eased. New Japanese immigrants arrived, highlighting initiatives to strengthen Brazil-Japan exchange. The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration was attended by the Prince Mikasa couple. It was the first time that, officially, members of the Imperial Family visited Brazil, in the 1950s.
Symbolically, the celebrations have been taking place every decade since the presence of the heir princes, the current emperors of Japan, Michiko and Akihito, where about 80,000 people filled the Pacaembu Stadium in 1967 in the presence of Governor Abreu Sodré and the pioneers of the Kasato Maru.
The year 1978 was marked by the presence again of the current emperors and heir princes, Michiko and Akihito, and by President Ernesto Geisel.
In the 1980s, the presence of Fumihito, Prince Akishino, and President José Sarney made the Pacaembu Stadium once again the stage for the celebration. Numerous initiatives deepened the Brazil-Japan cultural exchange. At the same time, the renewal of the immigration movement occurred – the economic crisis encouraged nikkeis to seek work in Japan. By the end of that decade, concerns arose regarding the problems stemming from the movement then called the “dekassegui phenomenon.”
In 1997, Akihito and Michiko, now emperors of Japan, strengthened the eternal bonds between the two peoples. The following year, the 90th anniversary celebration featured the presence of Tomi Nakagawa, the last immigrant from the Kasato Maru.
A celebration marked the year 2008, which included the presence of Crown Prince Naruhito.
Throughout this history, Japanese-Brazilians have contributed to Brazil’s development and gained the trust of the people, strengthening the friendly relations between Brazil and Japan.
On the occasion of this commemorative year, the Embassy of Japan in Brazil, along with the nikkei community and other Japanese embassies in the country, celebrate this moment with commemorative events.