Historical Timeline of Japanese Brazilian

1895

(5 November) Japan-Brazil Friendship and Commercial Treaty is signed, establishing diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

 

1908

(18 June) The first group of Japanese immigrants arrive at Port Santos in Kasato-Maru.

 

1915

(7 October) Taisho Primary School (tutorial style) is established in São Paulo.

 

1916

(January) Weekly newspaper, South America starts to circulate.

 

1919

(11 February) "Japan Club" is established in São Paulo.

 

(10 October) The first Nikkei Agricultural Cooperation is established in Uberaba City, Minas Gerais.

 

1931

(1 May) The Japanese Imperial Legation in Brazil is promoted to Embassy.

 

1925

The Japanese government adopts national immigration policy, providing partial travel expenses to immigrants and other benefits.

 

1927

(June) The low rate loan for 850,000 yen starts.

 

1932

(9 July) The Revolution for Defense of the Constitution breaks out in São Paulo.

 

1933

(30 June) A decree to relieve debts in the rural area is issued.

 

1934

(16 July) The 1934 Constitution is promulgated, which places limitation of immigrants.

 

1937

(10 November) A decree is issued to prohibit students less than 14 years old from taking foreign language lessons.

 

1938

(25 December) Foreign language schools in Brazil (especially Japanese, German and Italian) are closed.

 

1939

(29 April) The opening ceremony for Japanese Hospital is held in São Paulo.

 

1940

(16 August) Japanese Chamber of Commerce is established in São Paulo.

 

1941

(31 August) Japanese newspapers stop circulation.

 

(8 December) The Pacific War starts. (8 December in Brazil.)

 

1942

(19 January) The diplomatic ties are severed. The legations are closed.

 

1943

(8 July) The nationals of Axis power in the foreign region are expelled.

 

1945

(6 June) Brazil declares war to Japan.

 

(15 August) Japan surrenders. (8.14 in Brazil)

 

(23 September) Kachigumi (Victorious Group) intensifies activities.

 

1946

(7 March) Terrorists of the Victorious Group first commit assassination. Similar activities follow.

 

(27 August) Terrorist activities affect the 1946 Constitutional discussion.

 

1947

(29 March) Japan Compatriots' War Damage Relief Association is established.

 

1948

(January) Yukishige Tamura becomes City Assemblyman in São Paulo.

 

1950

(4 March) The Japanese swimming team (the Flying Fish of Fujiyama) visits Brazil.

 

(3 October) Yukishige Tamura is elected to be the State senator in São Paulo.

 

(December) The Japanese government opens its foreign office.

 

1951

(1 January) The first popular culture mission, including Taro Shoji, visits Brazil.

 

(28 February) The first Japanese ship in postwar period Kobe Maru arrives at Port Santos.

 

1952

(28 April) Peace Treaty is signed, restoring diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil.

 

(12 September) Japan-Brazil Commercial Agreement was signed.

 

1953

(18 January) The first immigrants after the war arrive.

 

Japanese companies start to advance in Brazil.

 

1954

(25 January) 400th Anniversary is celebrated for the city of São Paulo.

 

(3 October) Yukishige Tamura is elected to be Congressman in lower house of the Federal Parliament.

 

(11 October) JAL "Kyoto" arrives at São Paulo Airport.

 

1955

(September) 109 immigrants arrive as the first group of Cotia Youth Immigration. 2,508 immigrated between 1955 and 1971.

 

(17 December) São Paulo Japan Cultural Association is established.

 

1957

(20 January) Japanese Brazilian Promotion Association is established.

 

1958

(18 June) The 50th Anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil is celebrated. Prince Mikasa attends the celebration.

 

(14 July) Dr. Hideki Yukawa visits Brazil.

 

1959

(2 January) Brazil Ishikawajima ship building yard is built in Rio de Janeiro.

 

(28 January) Japan Immigrants Support Association is established.

 

(April) The brides for Cotia youth immigrants arrive by Afurika Maru.

 

(24 July) Prime Minister Shinsuke Kishi visits Brazil.

 

1960

(21 April) Brazilian capital is transferred to Brasilia.

 

(14 November) The signing ceremony for Japan-Brazil Immigration Agreement is held in Rio de Janeiro.

 

1961

(24 January) The signing ceremony for Japan-Brazilian Cultural Exchange Agreement is held in Tokyo.

 

(1 July) Ujiminas Steel Factory is opened. (Operation starts on 26 October, 1962.)

 

1962

(11 May) Former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida visits Brazil.

 

(28 September) The Japanese language course is established in Social and Natural Science Department of São Paulo University.

 

1964

(April) City Cultural Center is opened in São Paulo.

 

1965

(29 August) Five Japanese groups, including Japan Economic Federation, visits Brazil in economic mission.

 

(31 August) Practice fleet Santos of Japan Defense Force arrives at Port Santos.

 

1969

(18 June) The 60th Anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Brazil.

 

(26 June) Varig airline starts to fly to Japan.

 

(30 October) Fabio Yasuda becomes Minister of Commerce and Industry.

 

1970

(11 March) Consul Nobuo Oguchi of Japanese consul in São Paulo is kidnapped.

 

(22 September) Foreign Minister Kiichi Aichi visits Brazil. Japan-Brazil Technical Agreement is signed.

 

1973

(27 March) The last immigration ship Nippon maru arrives at Port Santos.

 

1974

(21 February) Shigeaki Ueki becomes Minister of Mining Power.

 

(16 September) Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visits Brazil. Japan and Brazil agree to cooperate in developing Cerrado.

 

(7 October) The Federation of members of Parliament in Brazil and Japan is established.

 

1976

(15 September) President Gaisel visits Japan for the first time. The first inter-Cabinet meeting between Japan and Brazil.

 

1978

(18 June) The 70th Anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Brazil is held. Crown Prince and Princess visit Brazil.

 

Historical Museum of Japanese Immigrants to Brazil is opened.

 

1979

(16 August) The second inter-Cabinet meeting between Brazil and Japan is held.

 

(December) The Brazilian government demands the close of JAMIC and JEMIS, which retreated from Brazil on 30 September, 1981.

 

1980

(27 May) Movie Gaijin wins Judges' Special Award at Canne International Movie Festival.

 

(20 July) The Japan-Brazil Trade Promotion Mission visits Brazil.

 

(28 October) Minister of Planning, Delfin Nett, visits Japan and meets Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki.

 

1981

(26 July) Minister of Industrial Trade and Industry, Tatsuo Tanaka, visits Brazil.

 

(4 August) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sonoda, visits Brazil.

 

(5 November) Governor of São Paulo, Paulo Malf and his group of 160 visit Japan.

 

1982

(28 March) Foreign Minister Gereiro visits Japan to negotiate capital aid for Cerrado.

 

(7 April) JICA office starts to operate as a branch office of General Consulate.

 

(12 June) 90 members of mission, including Prime Minister Suzuki, Minister of Agricultural, Fishery and Forest, Tazawa visit Brazil.

 

(4 October) Prince Hironomiya visits Brazil.

 

1983

(12 July) Japan Economic Federation mission visits Brazil.

 

(30 November) In Victoria, Espirito Santo, a Japanese-Brazilian joint venture, Tsubaron Steel Factory starts to operate.

 

1984

President Figeiredo visits Japan.

 

1985

(24 October) Albras starts to operate. Aluminum annual production records 160,000 ton.

 

1986

(15 February) The first 13 JICA youths for overseas development arrive in Brazil.

 

(3 October) Prince Hitachinomiya visits Brazil.

 

1987

(15 March) Gorge Takimoto becomes vice governor of Southern Matto Grosso.

 

(October) Increased interest in dekasegi from Brazil is observed in Japan.

 

1988

(18 June) The 80th Anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Brazil is held. President Sarnei and Prince Ayanomiya attend.

 

1989

(7 January) Emperor Showa deceases.

 

Japanese-Brazilian Friendship Hospital is opened.

 

(18 January) Seigo Tsuzuki becomes minister of Health and Sanitation.

 

1990

(14 March) Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita visits Brazil.

 

(1 June) Japan revises its immigration and naturalization law. The restraint for Nikkei workers in Japan is loosened.

 

(2 June) 100 sumo wrestlers perform in Brazil.

 

(18 October) 7 Nikkei are elected to be members of the Lower Parliament, creating historical record.

 

(12 November) The Japanese emperor coronation ceremony is held. President Corrol visits Japan.

 

1991

(21 August) 63,000 visas are issued in 1990 at General Consulate in São Paulo.

 

1992

(1 April) Dekasegi Information, Orientation and Support Center is established. (It became CIATE, Overseas Workers Information Center on 28 August, 1992.)

 

(8 April) Japanese-Brazilian Joint Economic meeting is held in Brasilia.

 

(9 July) A joint research on overseas immigrants' standard of life and health is conducted by four universities in Japan, U.S., Korea and Brazil.

 

(10 July) The Criminal Code 206, which prohibited mediating overseas labor, is revised.

 

1993

(6 November) The Symposium, "The Future of Nikkei Community" is held, commemorating the 85th anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Brazil.

 

1994

(30 March) The Central Agricultural Cooperation in Sur Brazil decides to dissolve itself.

 

(30 September) Kochia Central Industrial Cooperation decides to dissolve itself.

 

1995

(1 November) The celebration for 100th anniversary for Japan-Brazil diplomatic relation is held in Tokyo. Prime Minister Murayama, Crown Prince and Princess, and Brazilian Vice President Masshell attend.

 

(9 November) The celebration for 100th anniversary for Japan-Brazil diplomatic relation is held in Brasilia. Princess Nominomiya Sayako and President Cardozo attend.

 

1996

(March) President Cardozo visits Japan.

 

1997

(June) Emperor and Empress visit Brazil.

 

(December) The Brazilian population in Japan is 237,000. Including dual citizens, the number is believed to be about 250,000.

 

1998

(18-20 June) The 90th Anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil is held.

 

1999

(12 April) Pythagoras School of Bello Orizonte, Minas Gerais advances to Japan and opens its sister school in Ota City.