Re-imagining an Ethnic Identity

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  • ONO Tetsuya
    Graduale School of Human and Environmental Stadies Kyoto University

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Other Title
  • エスニック・アイデンティティの再想像
  • エスニック・アイデンティティの再想像--日系アルゼンチン移民社会の経験から
  • エスニック アイデンティティ ノ サイソウゾウ ニッケイ アルゼンチン イミン シャカイ ノ ケイケン カラ
  • 日系アルゼンチン移民社会の経験から
  • With a special reference to the community of Japanese immigrants in Argentina

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider the identity of Japanese immigrants in Argentina, using narratives of their life histories and Japanese newspapers published in Argentina.<br>　Argentina is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic state. However, Japanese immigrants have been historically marginalized in both Argentinean and Japanese society. Argentina is a multi-ethnic society in reality but it has been built on a strong bias towards white European immigrants, so immigrants from Japan have been regarded the second-class citizen. Their emigration was a result of the Japanese government policy in the years following the end of World War II, and during that period for many Japanese the word "emigrant" (imin) started to imply "dumped people" (kimin).<br>　Under these circumstances, the 1st generation of Japanese emigrants to Argentina did not resist or make objections towards this marginalization. They did not organize any direct social/political movement to defend themselves. Instead, they created a positive ethnic image in Argentina society. Thus, "Japanese Identity" was invented, with which they collectively and try to identify. Though their personal migration stories varied too much extent, Japanese immigrants in Argentina standardized their difference and share the common migration story that strongly stresses the adventurous and romantic nature of their motives for immigration, and emphasize the virtue of their honesty and diligence. They are culturally proud of becoming "more Japanese than the Japanese people living in Japan". The main stream of the Argentinean society has a strong image of Japaneseness because of their long-time efforts to redefine themselves; Japanese in Argentina are now making their cultural identity according to this expectation.<br>　Mass emigration after World War II was a creation of the Government. Each emigrant was helpless in this circumstance and the host society had marginalized Japanese emigrants. They accepted this reality but they skillfully created collective ethnic image in the host society and re-imagine their cultural identity to improve their position in the society.

Journal

  • SOSHIOROJI

    SOSHIOROJI 49 (3), 37-55,138, 2005

    SHAKAIGAKU KENKYUKAI

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