Historical Timeline of Japanese Argentine

1867

The Law of Immigration is passed, opening rgentina to foreigners of European origin.

 

1886

Kinzo Makino arrives in Argentina by boat. He is the first recorded Japanese person to arrive in Argentina.

 

1890

First Japanese products imported to Argentina via Europe. A house of trade, "Ichiban," is opened.

 

1898

On February 3, the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Shipping between Japan and Argentina is signed.

 

1899

A ship from the Argentine Fleet, the frigate Sarmiento, arrives at Yokohama. The Meiji Emperor receives the captain. Two young Japanese embark for the return trip, one of whom, Yoshio Shinya, will establish lifelong important contacts between Japan and Argentina.

 

1909

The first Japanese from Okinawa arrive in Argentina. From Brazil, 50 immigrants from Kagoshima, who had sailed on the S.S. Kasato Maru, decide to settle in Argentina. With a group from Peru, they found the first kenjin-kai (prefectural association).

 

1910

Professor Seizo Itoh, of the School of Agriculture of Sapporo, arrives in Argentina. He settles in the La Pampa province where he acquires a ranch. Many students from his school in Japan will come to settle in Argentina.

 

Yoshizo Suzuki and Kurajiro Ishikawa arrive in Argentina to work in agriculture. Ishikawa settles in Burzaco and Florencio Varela becomes a pioneer in horticulture.

 

1911

Seicho Arakaki, the first Argentine Nisei, is born; his parents are from Okinawa.

 

1914

The Third National Census records the presence of 1,007 Japanese in the country.

 

1915

In Buenos Aires the first Japanese newspaper, Buenos Aires Shuho, is printed.

 

1916

The Japanese-Argentine Association (Asociación Japonesa Argentina/AJA) is founded.

 

1920

The Institute for the Teaching of the Japanese Language (Instituto de Enseñanza de Idioma Japonés) is created.

 

1923

The Argentine government, the Red Cross and the Japanese community collaborate with donations to aid the victims of the Kanto earthquake.

 

1924

The newspaper El Argentin Jyijoo is founded.

 

1929

In Cosquin, Córdoba, the Japanese Rest Home for those with lung diseases is founded.

 

1933

The Association of Japanese Florists is founded.

 

The Nipponese-Argentine Cultural Association is founded to spread Japanese Culture.

 

1935

The Argentine Association of Dry Cleaners and Mutual Aid is founded.

 

1936

The Japanese Catholic Circle is founded.

 

1940

Relations between Argentina and Japan are formalized with the creation of embassies.

 

1941

The first Argentine ambassador to Japan, Dr. Rodolfo Morena, arrives in Tokyo. The first Japanese ambassador to Argentina, Baron Shu Tomii, arrives in Buenos Aires.

 

1942

The "Annan Bussan S.A." company is founded by Sadao Ando to assist in settling immigrants.

 

1943

The "Nippar" Association of Florists is founded.

 

1944

Argentina breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany and Japan.

 

1945

On March 27, by Decree 6945, Argentina declares war against Germany and Japan. Ambassador Tomii and his family are transferred by train to La Falda (Cordoba province). The Japanese-Argentine Bilingual Academy of Buenos Aires closes due to the declaration of war against Japan.

 

1947

The building at 480 Patagones St., Buenos Aires, is returned to the Japanese-Argentine Association.

 

The newspaper La Plata Hochi is founded to succeed El Argentin Jyijoo.

 

1948

The newspaper Akoku Nippo is founded.

 

The first repatriated Nisei Argentines settle in Japan.

 

1949

The Argentine-Japanese Commerce Association is founded in Buenos Aires.

 

The government of General Peron declares a general amnesty for all illegal immigrants.

 

1950

By decree of the Argentine government, Japanese residents are permitted to apply for citizenship.

 

The Maritime Fleet of the State of Argentina creates a shipping line to Yokohama. Japanese residents of Argentina send clothing and foodstuffs to Japan on the first voyage. The Eva Peron Foundation participates with 100 tons of supplies.

 

1951

The Okinawa Center of Argentina (Centro Okinawense en la Argentina) is founded.

 

1952

Relations between Argentina and Japan, interrupted in 1945, are resumed. The embassies are reopened in both countries.

 

1957

The Company for the Foment of Japanese Immigration, a semi-governmental entity, is founded to encourage Japanese immigration to Argentina through loans, land purchases and the acquisition of machinery.

 

1958

The first "official" Jigyoodan (later JICA) colony is founded in Garahupe.

 

1960

The "Federation of Japanese Language Academies" is created.

 

1962

The Andes Colony, composed of 1,312 acres and dedicated to the cultivation of vineyards and small fruits, is founded.

 

1963

The "Company for the Foment of Japanese Immigration" and the "Federation of Japanese Overseas Associations" merge, creating the "Immigration Service of Japan," an official organ of the Japanese Government promoting emigration.

 

1964

Japanese postwar immigration to Argentina peaks.

 

1965

The magazine Horizonte, created by Nisei youth, appears.

 

1969

The population of Argentina is 23,000,000. Of these 23,185 are Japanese immigrants and their descendants.

 

1973

ANULP (La Plata Association of Nipponese Academics) is founded, which provides funds for students studying in Japan.

 

1974

JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency) is created. It succeeds the "Immigration Service of Japan."

 

1979

The Japanese Garden opens in Tres de Febrero Park. The Garden covers two acres and is donated by the Japanese community to the City of Buenos Aires.

 

1982

The Japanese community announces its support for Argentina in the war with Britain over the Falkland Islands.

 

1985

The Nikkei Argentine Center (Centro Nikkei Argentino) is founded, creating an institutional base for people of Japanese descent in Argentina.

 

1987

During the Fourth International Japanese Community Conference (IV COPANI), the first official contact between descendants of Japanese immigrants and a president of Argentina, Dr. Raul Alfonsin, takes place.

 

1988

The Council of Nikkei Representatives (CORENI), the first centralized organization of the Japanese community, is created. The First National Nikkei Convention (CONANI) takes place in Santa Fe.

 

1989

The Okinawa Center inaugurates its new headquarters. The Governor of Okinawa attends with full entourage.

 

1990

The Association of University Nikkei (AUN), an association for academics which promotes scientific and cultural activity, is founded.