Identities and memory of Japanese immigrants and descendants in Londrina: 1930-1970

Abstract

This master dissertation analyzes how the Nikkeis identities was built in Londrina, from the beginning of 1930 to 1970, using the data from the informant's memories, based on oral investigations. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to verify how the survival and social climbing strategies of the groups were developed, the possible changes and conflicts of the descendants in our society and how this memory was or was not related to socioeconomic issues. We intend to check the importance of education as a support for the construction of the Nikkeis identities, as well as to verify some aspects in their memory, considered part of their identities, such as honesty, responsibility, and others, that differ their culture from the Brazilian society. We also aim at evaluating the process of identity negotiation and the conflicts, analyzing through their memory the moments when the Nikkeis identities is confirmed or denied.