The Nikkei Community in Cuba: Celebrating with pride Japanese legacy
The descendants of Cuban-Japanese celebrated their International Day recently with a compromise to strengthen their link with their historical memory.
Graciela Lastres | internet@gmail.com and Verónica Nuñez | internet@granma.cu
June, 2026
The celebration, an opportunity to meet, fortify friendships and exchange experiences. Picture by Massiel Tessa
The first Japanese migration registered in America took place in 1868 and was towards Hawaii. In commemoration of this event, on June 20 communities of Japanese descendants around the world come together to celebrate.
Japanese migration to Cuba started at the end of the 19 century, divided into five main periods as follows: until 1914, from 1915 to 1923, from 1924 to1926, from 1943 to 1946 and finally after World War II.
Japanese descendants are known as Nikkei, singular, a term that changes from the first to the fifth generation (isei, nisei, sansei, yonsai, gonsei).
Last Census in Cuba, in 2025, showed there are 991 Nikkei living in the island and distributed in Cuba’s 15 provinces and in the municipality of Youth Island. Data showed the origin of the community was Kumamoto in Japan.
Today Nikkei are part of two main communities: the Society of the Japanese Colony of Youth Island (Sociedad de la Colonia Japonesa de la Isla de la Juventud) and the Management Committee of the Nikkei Association of Cuba (Comité Gestor de la Asociación Nikkei de Cuba) this last in process of legalization.
This year, for fifth time, Japanese descendants celebration together with the Embassy of Japan and included the presence of ambassador Nakamura Kazuhito, as well as the representative of the Agency for International Cooperation of Japan (Agencia de Cooperación Internacional de Japón (JICA) in Cuba, Ashida Tatsuya; the president and vice-president of the Management Committee of the Nikkei Association of Cuba Francisca Arakawa and Ivis Imamura respectively, other members of the accredited diplomatic body and members of the community.
In his speech the Japanese ambassador in Cuba highlighted the increase of younger members of the community among assistants and numerous representation from all provinces, despite the challenging circumstances Cuba is facing in terms of transportation.
This event is an opportunity to get together, strengthen our friendship and Exchange experiences; this is an example of perseverance and dignity, explained the ambassador.
The vice-president Imamura affirmed the pride the community feels regarding their genealogical links with Japan, and their compromise that to them represents the rescue of their legacy. She finalized saying that for them it is crucial not only to be together but to do together.
During the event videos were shown highlighting Cuban participation in the twenty second Panamerican Convention Nikkei (XXII Convención Panamericana Nikkei, COPANI 2026), celebrated recently and where the Antillean community was included in the Nikkei Panamerican Association.
JICA representative, Ashida Tatsuya, mentioned the achievements in matters of cooperation, professional capacitation and the development of cultural activities and she encouraged all to continue with such enriching experiences that contribute to strengthen diplomatic relations between both countries.
In the cultural space of this encounter the art of dancing was highlighted, in particular couple dancing Tsugai Kogarashi, combining elements of traditional and modern dance with elegant movement and the use of the fan.
Childhood was also present in a fashion show of traditional Japanese clothes, like yukata and kimono. Then, lovers of Japanese culture (Nikkei from the heart) danced Yosakoi, with energetic youth movements. In the end, professor of Japanese language Víctor Coro pleased the public with a show of traditional calligraphy (Shodo) and a humoristic monologue (Rakugo).
The evening ended with karaoke, a shared entertainment of modern Japanese society, in which many Japanese functionaries participated together with the descendants.
Nikkei historian Lidia Sánchez Fujishiro in her book, A Japanese in Santiago de Cuba (Un japonés en Santiago de Cuba), explains that being a Japanese descendant is simply being a Japanese descendant, does not imply additional obligations and that in this sense, there has been no need to build alternatives of identity resistance aiming at social privileges.
In 2028, Cuba will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the beginning of Japanese Immigration to Cuba, with a community of descendants that day by day build links with the legacy of their predecessors. Picture by Hideo Ishii.
Translation by NSCUBA (Nova Scotia)
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