[DR1] 50 years of Japanese migration

[NewsWhore]

The Japanese community in the Dominican Republic is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their arrival. The ceremonies were launched with a field day at the "Centro Japones" in Monte Plata. The first Japanese settlers arrived in the Dominican Republic on 29 July, 1956, and settled in Dajabon, near the Haitian frontier. During the field day, each Japanese family planted a small pine tree, and took on the responsibility of looking after it. Many of the very first immigrants, now well into their 70s, were joined by members of the younger generation, many of whom are not very familiar with the Japanese language and most of whom have never been to Japan. According to Listin Diario, the Japanese immigration was rooted in serious food shortages in the aftermath of the Second World War and the Korean War. Their immigration was encouraged by the Japanese government. The first settlers were sent to Dajabon, and the following groups went to Constanza, Duverge, Neiba, and Jarabacoa. The Centro Japones is located on 13,000 tareas of land that was ceded to the Japanese Community by the Dominican government as partial repayment for unfulfilled promises made during the Trujillo years. Some 27 families have settled on the land and are growing native and Asian species for local consumption and for export.

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