This year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of a Japanese migration to Brazil. In 1908, hundreds of farmers moved to the South American country, dreaming of making their fortunes there before returning to their hometowns.
Although hundreds of thousands of Japanese ended up settling there over the century, many of their descendants have come to Japan since the 1990s in search of work.
To celebrate the strong ties between their nations, the Japanese and Brazilian governments plan to hold a series of commemorative events throughout the year.