Peru and Japan, 150 years of diplomatic relations: a review of the Nikkeis who have made history

In an increasingly interconnected world, where borders are blurred, the relationship between Peru and Japan transcended the diplomatic plane to influence the culture of Peruvians. Within the framework of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, we explore the remarkable contribution of the culture of the country of the Rising Sun in the heart of Peruvian society.

From the vibrant streets of Lima to the remote corners of the Andes, Japanese culture is more alive than ever. Children, youth and adults, who are not necessarily of Nikkei descent, have enthusiastically embraced the various cultural expressions coming from Japan. All you have to do is ask for your favorite anime, a ramen stand or the address of Maido, the renowned restaurant of the Peruvian chef with Japanese descent Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, who holds sixth place on the list of The World’s 50 Best.

Along with Micha there are also other Nikkeis who stand out in fields such as music with Tony Succar, who won two Grammys in the category of Best Producer of the Year and Best Salsa Album, or the experimental artist Pauchi Sasaki. In addition to the young Peruvian filmmaker Hideki Nakazaki who presented his short film “La luz de Masao Nakagawasu” last year at the Malaga Film Festival.

The first steps

In 1899, the emblematic ship “Sakura Maru” docked in the port of Callao with 790 Japanese immigrants who, far from their homeland, were looking for a new beginning in Peruvian lands. These young farmers would not only bring their hopes and dreams with them, but would also forge a legacy that would last for generations. As they organized themselves into societies and associations, such as the prominent Peruvian-Japanese Association, they became the fundamental pillars of what we today consider teachers and leaders in various areas.

Within the culinary field, two figures shine with particular brilliance: Toshiro Konishi (Toshiro’s) and Humberto Sato (Costanera 700). Both pioneers in the creation of Nikkei cuisine, an artful fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions that left an indelible mark on the food scene. His innovation paved the way for succeeding generations of chefs, who continued to explore and expand this culinary fusion.

These first steps of the Japanese influence in Peru do not stop at the kitchen. Angela Harada, affectionately known as the “Little Princess of Yungay”, and Juan Makino, nicknamed the “Samurai del Huayno”, have left their mark on the music scene with interpretations of Andean songs enriched by the Japanese influence present in their extensive repertoire.

Figures such as the painters Tilsa Tsuchiya, Venancio Shinki and Eduardo Tokeshi also stand out, leaving their mark on the art world by bringing with them the fusion of cultural influences in their works. Even in the bullfighting field, in the bullfighter Ricardo Higa, who preceded his debut in the Plaza de Acho with a parade of beautiful ‘geishas’, the confluence of cultures in an unusual artistic expression can be appreciated. The literary world has also been enriched by the Japanese influence, with writers such as Augusto Higa and the poet José Watanabe, the latter exploring the Nikkei identity in his book “La memoria del ojo” (1999), published to commemorate the first centenary of Japanese migration to Peru.

How much of Japan is there in Peruvian culture? This is a question that remains complex and difficult to answer. The fusion between the oriental and the Peruvian gave rise to a hybrid identity, embodied in artistic expressions that capture both the ancestral heritage and the contemporary in a cultural mosaic that continues to evolve with each new generation.