Alvaro Tadaaki Ito Moloche

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Why did you decide to study in Japan?

Studying in Japan has been my dream. I lived in Japan from age 4 to 7. After I went back to Peru, I came to realize various differences between Peru and Japan such as education system, and I started to have a desire to study again in Japan. Thanks to my parents’ support, I continued studying Japanese at a Japanese institution named “Ichigo Bunka Kyokai ”. When I was at lower secondary school, I started to think that I wanted to study at Japanese graduate school through scholarship program.

How is your life in Japan?

My life in Japan is very fulfilling. I live here with a sense of security because there is no rubbish on the streets and traffic rules are well-enforced. I often use trains when I go somewhere, and I am surprised that trains come and leave on time. I had a positive image towards Japan before I came here, but after coming to Japan and see how much Japan has changed, I now think that this is a country which is constantly headed towards progress and development.
The good thing about Nikkei Scholarship is that the program gives us opportunities to interact with other Nikkei students studying in Japan and exchange opinions on various topics such as activities of Nikkei youth in their respective countries. It is extremely valuable to expose myself to the issue of my own “Nikkei identity” through talking with them about different Nikkei societies. Ever since I came to Japan, I have spent more time thinking about how young Nikkei should live in the future.

Tell us about your present study or research.

After I came to Japan, I had a year of study in Shinjuku Nihongo Gakko, where I was able to improve my language skill through the Ezoe Method as well as to expand my knowledge of Japanese culture. In this second year started in April, I am beginning my master’s degree at J.F. Oberlin University majoring in International Cooperation. Now I am reading various books and academic papers mainly in the field of international cooperation. I hope to apply these studies to my future research.

Did your consciousness as a Nikkei change in any way through studying in Japan?

My consciousness as a Nikkei has changed. I think I became able to have clear and responsible answer as to what is my Nikkei identity or what is my mission as a Nikkei. Coming to Japan has helped me capture my identity as a Nikkei, which I could not find in Peru.

What is your dream for the future?

My current dream is to finish my masters in international cooperation at graduate school and become part of projects on the subject of international relationship between Japan and South America (Peru). In addition, I want to become a researcher mainly in the field of international cooperation at university in Peru and contribute to the research on this topic as a university professor. Another dream I have is to create a Japanese language school in Peru. I would like to help Nikkeis improve their Japanese language skills so that some of those Nikkeis can study in Japan in the future like me.

Please give a message to students who are considering studying in Japan.

Do not just stay with the image you have of Japan. This country will always surprise us, and do not forget that when we are Nikkeis, we are part of this country. To be a Nikkei is to represent both our country of birth and Japan. To be a Nikkei is to have the responsibility of uniting these two countries with different cultures. Encourage yourself to be a part of this great project!

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