ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the circumstances of socioeconomic upward mobility among post-war Nikkei. They generally explain their relative wealth with a strong work ethic and other “Japanese values.” They stage this narrative, for example, at community anniversaries, while implicitly or explicitly distancing themselves from non-Nikkei. On a closer look, the picture becomes much more complex, especially when considering the role of Japan’s support for descendants abroad. Furthermore, the possibility to work in Japan has been essential for the Nikkei to attain and maintain middle-class status in Bolivia. Bolivian Nikkei have also benefitted from favourable media images at a macro-level, presenting themselves as development agents in Bolivia. However, the situation remains double-faced: descendants are frequently identified as foreigners or even as chinos [Chinese]; therefore, they actively try to present themselves as “model migrants” who have contributed to Bolivia’s well-being and who say to be are well-integrated into Santa Cruz’s society.
