(31 May 1999) Spanish/Nat
Japanese-Peruvians and others have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Japanese emigration to Peru.
The ceremony in the Peruvian capital on Sunday commemorated the arrival of about
790 Japanese in 1899.
Princess Nori from Japan arrived in Lima last week for the celebrations.
There are about 100-thousand people of Japanese ancestry in Peru, the second largest Japanese population in Latin America after Brazil.
Some 15-thousand people attended the ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in Peru.
Japanese-Peruvians and others filled the Union Stadium on Sunday to watch the parade.
Princess Nori from Japan, presided over the event, accompanied by Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori.
Fujimori noted the important role that Japanese emigrants have played in promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
Exactly a century ago, 700 immigrants left Yokohama for El Callao, full of dreams and expectations for them and their families. These first immigrants that arrived in Peru on board the legendary Sakura Maru, were the initiators of an important migratory trend that has been a natural bridge for friendship and mutual knowledge between Peru and Japan.
SUPER CAPTION: Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru
Princess Nori also addressed the audience, speaking about the difficulties that Japanese immigrants experienced in their early years.
She arrived from Japan last Friday for a week of celebrations.
These included a Catholic ceremony in Lima's cathedral.
President Fujimori's family--Japanese immigrants themselves, attended the mass celebrated by Lima's Archbishop, Juan Luis Cipriani.
Japanese ambassadors to Peru were also there.
It was a multicultural occasion --Buddhist ceremonies also commemorated the arrival of the Japanese.
Princess Nori visited the Peruvian-Japanese institute in Lima where she planted a tree.
She also met some Issei (first generation Japanese immigrants).
Celebrations were aimed at cementing relations between Japan and Peru.
There are about 100-thousand people of Japanese ancestry in Peru.
They are proud that their president is a Nikkei (second generation of Japanese immigrants).
President Fujimori has always associated the Ancient Inca Empire that worshiped the God of the Sun and Japan, the Empire of the Sun.
That was the significance of a musical show among Inca ruins, which also formed part of the celebrations.
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