Nightlife
When the weekend comes the town is filled with Brazilians
from all around (Tokyo, Otta) wanting to join in the spectacle.
Young Nikkei-Brazilians meet up in the many different clubs like
`ATR' (Disco with Brazilian samba and entertainment) and `Choppe
Video'. Upon entering the ATR, I was struck by the amount of people
(mostly Nikkei-Brazilian) dancing inside. There must have been
about 200 people inside. For a small town like Oizumi it was very
impressing. I found that karaoke was a
popular activity amongst the clubs much like in Brazil but the
difference is that the Nikkei living in Brazil sing to Japanese
lyrics while those in Oizumi sing to Brazilian lyrics. When they
are in Brazil they feel like Japan is their home while in Japan
they feel that Brazil is their home. Until they are fully accepted
by either community, wherever they might be, this question of
identity will always arise.
'Oizumi is a great place to come for the weekend.
When I am here I feel like I am back in Brazil. I can share memories
and enjoy myself with my kind of people,' said one Nikkei-Brazilian
at the ATR in Oizumi, Japan.
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