Mapping the Japanese Diaspora in Early Modern Europe and the Americas

• Project/Area Number: 25K04391
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03010:Historical studies in general-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• Principal Investigator: ロッシャデソウザ ルシオマヌエル 東京外国語大学, 世界言語社会教育センター, 准教授 (70735836)
• Project Period (FY): 2025-04-01 – 2028-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2025)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2027: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
• Keywords: Slave Trade / Japanese Slavery / Japanese Diaspora

Outline of Research at the Start

Investigate the undocumented history of Japanese emigrants in Europe (Portugal, Spain) and the Americas (Mexico, Chile) during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Analyze their social networks, roles, cultural assimilation/preservation, and potential descendants.
Challenge Eurocentric or Asia-centric historical narratives by highlighting Japan’s early global diaspora.