How did Japanese-Peruvians respond to political discrimination throughout the 20th century?

Abstract

Beginning in the early 20th century Japanese people immigrated to Peru for agricultural opportunities and began to establish ethnic enclaves in Peru. Many of these Japanese people settled in Peru and opened small businesses, finding economic success and becoming the target of discrimination. Viewed as outsiders stealing jobs from native Peruvians, the Japanese community was subjected to harsh discrimination by the Peruvian government. The government cracked down on immigration and the Japanese in Peru became increasingly isolated both socially and politically. Like other successful minority groups, the Japanese became a scapegoat for economic hardships, and tensions came to a head during World War 2. Race riots in 1940 destroyed Japanese businesses and homes, forever changing the history of Japanese in Peru. Japanese-Peruvians integrated more while keeping a low profile until 1990 and the rise of Alberto Fujimori. Elected president in a stunning victory, Fujimori’s brand as a political and social outsider helped his case. His election brought Japanese-Peruvians back to the limelight and sparked better relations between Japan and Peru. The Japanese community of Peru has a fascinating history and their impact on the nation has been massive. It is a community not as well known as its Brazilian neighbors, but its history is equally interesting. I want to explore how Peru went from hating the Japanese to electing a Japanese man president. This paper will educate people on this relatively unknown community which should have more recognition. Using primary sources and academic journals from throughout the 20th century this paper will examine how Peru’s relationship with the Japanese changed over time. It will view these sources from an analytical perspective and determine how Peruvian politics changed over time in regards to the Japanese community.