Within the framework of the Work Programme for 2022-2026 of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), and in compliance with Programme III: Promoting a comprehensive vision of human mobility, the Discussion panel on the Japanese migration experience in Latin America and the Caribbean: its cultural and economic impact will be held. This activity is also linked to Project entitled Seizing the opportunities of the industries of cultural and creative goods and services of Thematic Area I – Economic Recovery, as part of the institutional effort to link human mobility, culture and productive development.

Japanese migration has left a substantial mark on the social, cultural and economic aspects of the region. With the aim of recognising and valuing this legacy, the meeting combines the screening of the film “Nikkei” directed by Kaori Flores Yonekura[1] with a technical-cultural dialogue aimed at identifying contributions, lessons learned and opportunities for cooperation. In line with SELA’s mandate, the discussion panel contributes to a multidimensional understanding of human mobility and, at the same time, strengthens the cultural and creative ecosystem as a vector for economic recovery, including the updating of the Regional Directory on the Industries of Cultural and Creative Goods and Services.

[1] Recognised for her career as a documentary filmmaker specialising in migration, human rights, childhood and indigenous peoples, she has collaborated with institutions such as the British Council in its programme dedicated to English for children, with IOM-Migration and the Japanese Embassy in Chile and Venezuela, CNAC, SEGIB, the Uruguayan Film School with annual consulting awards through the International Film School Festival, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation in Central America, among others; she has directed and produced content for Plaza Sésamo, Sun Channel, Telesur, HBO, and DW. Her debut film ‘Nikkei’ is part of the permanent collection of more than 20 major universities in the United States, the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles and Japan House in London. She has been a lecturer and tutor in spaces dedicated to the film market and industry, as well as to children and youth. With her Cinescope Programme in 2023, she supported 22 young Ibero-American filmmakers with 17 film projects by awarding partial scholarships of 80% for continuing education courses, adding to the more than 400 total scholarships that, with the help of Ibermedia, have been awarded through her programme since 2013.

1. Highlight the historical and contemporary contributions of Japanese migration to the cultural and economic fabric of LAC through Nikkei screening and exchanges with specialists.
2. Link human mobility with the development of cultural and creative industries, promoting synergies with SELA’s Regional Directory and its associated instruments.
3. Foster informed dialogue among public stakeholders, the cultural community and the diplomatic corps to promote sustainable cultural and economic cooperation initiatives.

For further information, please contact the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA):

• Gustavo Herrera, Coordinator of Social Development, e-mail: gherrera@sela.org
• Luis Emilio Martínez, Social Development Analyst, e-mail: lmartinezm@sela.org

Discussion panel organised by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) in collaboration with Nuevo Objetivo Film.

Format: Virtual.

Participants: Exclusively for:

• Representatives of the member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)
• Officials of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)
• Diplomatic representation of the State of Japan in Venezuela
• Director Kaori Flores Yonekura
• Dr Haydee Vilchez.

Language: Spanish with English subtitles

Date: 24 September 2025.

Time: 9:00 am – 12:20 local time in Caracas, Venezuela.

Title: “Nikkei”

Production: An Ibero-American production by Nuevo Objetivo Film (Venezuela) in co-production with Mullu Producciones (Peru) and with the support of the Ibermedia Programme and the Centro Nacional Autónomo de Cinematografía de Venezuela (CNAC).

Director: Kaori Flores Yonekura (Debut Film)

Release date: 2015

Synopsis: In Nikkei, director Kaori Flores Yonekura tells the story of her grandparents’ journey from Japan to Peru and Venezuela. Along the way, their personal search for a new home is placed in the broader context of the history of Japanese immigration to Latin America: from slavery in Peru to anti-Japanese media campaigns during World War II, to propaganda and promises of a better life in Venezuela. Nikkei is a fascinating and artistically constructed documentary that uses photographs, animation, and personal testimonies to reconstruct a topic in Latin American history that is rarely presented in film.