JA*Net Ties Talk
Peruvian Nikkei

Subject: Peruvian Nikkei ( Japanese Attitudes Towards Nikkei-jin)

> > I have heard that Japanese have a negative attitude
> > toward people of Japanese descent living in the US
> > or elsewhere. Can you please explain this attitude?

Japanese see us as different because ... well, we are. It's not necessarily a negative thing. They just see us as Americans.

How do you see the President of Peru?

Fujimori, Alberto---Current president of Peru. Elected in 1990 and reelected in 1995. Educated as a mathematician. Served as rector the Universidad Nacional Agraria prior to his political career. Founder of political movement, Cambio 90, for the 1990 election. Supported the foundation of a parallel political support group, Nueva Mayoría, for the 1992 constituent assembly elections. The two groups form a united pro-government caucus in congress, Cambio 90-Nueva Mayoría

Or his rival in upcoming elections?

Yoshiyama, Jaime---Engineer who served in top posts in the Fujimori administration until 1996. He served as Minister of Transportation and Communication and as Minister of Energy and Mines in the first Fujimori administration. He was chosen to lead the government's new political organization, Nueva Mayoría (NM), and headed the government's congressional list in the election for the Congreso Constituyente Democrático (CCD) in 1993. He subsequently served as president of the CCD until 1995. He was beaten in his 1995 bid to become mayor of Lima by Alberto Andrade. He served as Minister of the Presidency from November 1995 until September 1996 when he unexpectedly resigned. Since 1996, he has not been active in politics but many political observers believe that he may take an active role in the government's campaign in 2000.

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Subject: Peruvian Nikkei

> How do you see the President of Peru?

Before Alberto Fujimori came to power in Peru, I was not aware that there were Nikkei-jin in that country. The radio newscaster reading the story of his 1990 election victory apparently didn't know that either -- he must have thought the new president was Latino and pronounced the name with a Spanish "j": "Fooheemorry"! :-)

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Subject: Peruvian Nikkei

> How do you see the President of Peru?

There is a biography in English of Alberto Fujimori:

Alberto Fujimori of Peru - The President who Dared to Dream

Apparently a percentage of its proceeds goes towards a children's fund for the millions of children who need help.

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