Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Mark 90 Years of Japanese Immigration to Paraguay

Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attended a ceremony on Friday near Asuncion to mark the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Paraguay. During the event, which was attended by approximately 650 people including President Santiago Pena and his wife, the Crown Prince praised the contributions of immigrants and their descendants. He noted that the two nations owe their close ties to these settlers and expressed hope that they would continue to serve as a bridge between the countries.

President Pena thanked the Japanese community for its contributions to society, education, and agriculture, stating that these efforts reflect the multicultural identity of Paraguay. The Japanese community in the country is currently estimated at around 10,000 people. The history of this migration began in 1936, when 81 people from 11 families arrived to found a settlement in La Colmena in the south central region.

As part of their official visit, the royal couple laid flowers at a memorial for deceased settlers and met with community members at a nearby hotel. One resident, 87 year old Ikuko Matsumiya, who moved to Paraguay in 1956, said it was encouraging that the imperial family attends these milestones. Crown Prince Fumihito previously visited Paraguay in 2006 for the 70th anniversary of immigration.