FIFA World Cup 2014: A little Japan in the heart of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo: Don’t be surprised if Japan get a full-throated backing of the crowd during the World Cup here. Brazil is home to the largest number of Japanese people outside Japan. The number of Brazilian citizens of Japanese origin is around 1.5 million. Most of them are descendants of those who came to Brazil in search of work in coffee plantation and sugarcane fields in the first decade of the 20th century.

People of Japanese origin rule the roost in Liberdade market in the heart of Sao Paulo. The whole place has a distinct Japanese look which can’t be missed by anyone. The integration of the ethnic community from Asia into Brazilian society is so complete that few of them want to go back to Japan one day.

Akio, 22, has no confusion about his identity. “My grandfather left Japan in search of greener pastures as World War II had ravaged the country and left many people poor. I’m proud of my Japanese heritage. But I’m now a Brazilian at heart. I love this country and its culture. If Brazil face Japan in a World Cup match here, my support would be for the five-time champions,” he added.

Yuudi Alex Correia, born to a Japanese mother and a Brazilian father, is torn between the two countries. “My support would be 50-50,” he laughed. “I would back Japan because they have never won the World Cup.”

Like Akio, Yuudi, is also full of compliments for Brazil. “This wonderful country accepted us with open arms. We never faced any discrimination. We are able to preserve our culture and language. My emotional connection with Japan is strong. I have visited the country seven times. My maternal grandparents still live there. One thing I don’t like about Japan is it has too many rules unlike Brazil,” he said.

Yuudi, who runs a pillow shop in Liberdade, is training to become a Buddhist monk. “I visited all the important Buddhist shrines in India recently. I fell in love with India and I would be thrilled to go back again,” he said.

According to Yuudi, Liberdade is attracting more and more Koreans and Chinese traders these days. He’s wary of the Chinese. “We have never enjoyed good chemistry with them. The Chinese don’t respect us,” he said.

Yuudi’s friend Millene Ishihara said Brazil is an inseparable part of her self. “I know only a smattering of Japanese. I wear traditional Japanese dress rarely because they aren’t comfortable,” she added.