Development of ethnic solidarity based on ethnic businesses: The Brazilian community in Hamamatsu City, Japan

Abstract

This paper elucidates the development of ethnic solidarity among Brazilian residents in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, through research and analysis of their use of ethnic businesses. Apart from being places that provide goods or services, ethnic businesses also perform social and cultural functions; which make them "special places" to many Brazilian residents. The development of the functions performed by these ethnic businesses is closely connected to the characteristic forms of Brazilian migration to Japan after the amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 1990, especially the migration system arranged by brokers and "repeat migration" (a form of migration in which migrant workers repeatedly go back and forth between Japan and Brazil). In Hamamatsu, the Brazilian community centers on ethnic businesses with the above-mentioned social and cultural functions. The forming of such communities can be characterized as being open and flexible. With the prolonged stay of Brazilians in Japan, the necessity for these types of communities is predicted to become even greater.