University Students from Kagawa Prefecture Visit the Brazil Pavilion
University Students from Kagawa Prefecture Visit the Brazil Pavilion
University students will visit São Paulo this October
University students from Kagawa Prefecture will visit São Paulo this October. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Japanese immigration to Brazil, which marks its 117th anniversary this year. Before their visit in October, Kagawa Prefecture took the students to the Brazil Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai. Accompanying the group were nine Nikkei Brazilians with roots in Kagawa Prefecture, who were specially invited to Japan by the prefecture from Brazil.
The visit took place on July 23, with over 20 students and others visiting the Brazil Pavilion. Ms. Chihiro Nishikawa was particularly impressed by the five acts of the First Exhibition Hall, especially the crisis of extinction in nature, and commented, “We must have a sense of gratitude towards the world.” During their visit to Brazil in October, they plan to meet with Japanese immigrants.
Ms. Sae Yamashita, a university student, was moved by the word “air” appearing on the screen when entering the First Exhibition Hall. “At first, the atmosphere was bright, but it gradually became darker, and there was a message to protect the Earth,” she said. She is looking forward not only to meeting Nikkei people in São Paulo, but also to learning what Brazilians know about Japan.
Ms. Anne Kumano came to Japan from Campinas, Brazil, to participate in this exchange. Her family is originally from Kagawa Prefecture. She shared her impression that “the Brazil Pavilion dealt with contemporary themes and was impressive.” As this is her first time visiting Japan, she was also looking forward to meeting relatives in Kagawa.
Mr. Pablo Lira, the director of the Brazil Pavilion, explained the Pavilion’s theme and said, “It is very pleasing to see young people from Japan and Brazil learn about each other’s countries and deepen their exchange.” The Brazil Pavilion is operated by ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). According to Mr. Takuya Matsumoto, a Kagawa Prefecture official, the nine Nikkei Brazilians who participated in this exchange were recommended and selected through the Kagawa Kenjinkai in Brazil. Kagawa Prefecture is widely known not only for its elegant nature but also as the “Udon Prefecture.”
Brazil Pavilion official homepage
https://apexbrasil.com.br/content/expoosaka/br/pt/pavilhao-do-brasil.html
Japanese https://www.yokosojapan.net/article.php/20250727brazil-kagawa_event_ja