NHK WORLD PRIME

Season 5, Episode 21

Episode Title: We're Not "Gaijin"!

Air Date: 2021-10-16

Overview:

Witness the tears, laughter and true history of Japanese-Brazilians. Japan has seen a sharp rise in foreign workers, starting with the Japanese-Brazilians who came some 30 years ago. How did Japanese society appear in the eyes of these immigrants who traveled from the other side of the globe? Issey Ogata, one of Japan's most celebrated actors both at home and abroad, presents a solo performance based on true stories of apartment life, factory work and long lines at the payphone in a Japanese-Brazilian housing complex. Written by the eminent screenwriter Kankuro Kudo, the show was performed and recorded publicly before an audience that included immigrants who were interviewed.