Japan's Prince Akishino highlights Japanese community's legacy during historic visit to Paraguay

Crown Prince Akishino of Japan lauded the enduring legacy of Japanese immigrants and the 90-year connection forged with Paraguay during a historic visit to La Colmena, a district considered the cradle of Japanese immigration in the country.

Speaking in Japanese to members of the Japanese and Nikkei community, as well as local and national authorities, Prince Akishino reflected on his previous visit two decades ago. He shared a poignant memory from a first-generation immigrant: 'Three years of burning too much, three years of not burning enough.' This expression, he explained, symbolized the immense challenges faced by early settlers in preparing the land after clearing forests.

The prince paid tribute to those who perished in the early years without realizing their aspirations. He laid flowers at the commemorative monument in Kunito Miyasaka Park in memory of the deceased immigrants. Prince Akishino also acknowledged the contributions of subsequent generations who have maintained Japanese traditions, including language, culture, and immigration history, passing them on to younger generations.

Prince Akishino expressed gratitude to the Paraguayan people for welcoming and supporting Japanese immigrants over the past nine decades. He specifically mentioned Agustina Miranda González, who passed away, for her support and protection of Japanese immigrants, even during wartime. The prince highlighted the development of fruit production in La Colmena and the Nikkei community's active participation in various sectors of Paraguayan society, underscoring their vital role in the growth of the locality and the nation.

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Hace 20 años, cuando visité La Colmena, un miembro de la primera generación que había vivido los inicios de la colonización me dijo: ‘Tres años de quemar demasiado, tres años de no quemar lo suficiente’