“Nikkei” in Palau~ Interview Series: Vol. 37 Mr. Shigenari Nakamura

Mr. Shigenari Nakamura, born in 1943 and now 81 years old, is a Palauan of Japanese descent, commonly referred to as Nikkei. He is the eldest of eight children born to Ms. Saruang Bechab of Ngiwal State and Mr. Takataro Nakamura of Ngaraard State. Mr. Takataro Nakamura was adopted by then Chief Maderngebuked of Ngaraard State.
 
Mr. Shigenari’s father, Mr. Takataro Nakamura, was the eldest of four children born to a Japanese man, Mr. Zenshichi Nakamura from Mie Prefecture, and Ms. Uodelchad of Ngaraard State. As a result, Mr. Shigenari is a half-sibling of Palau’s former President, H.E. Kuniwo Nakamura, and his siblings.
 
Although Mr. Nakamura is originally from Ngaraard and Ngiwal States, he currently lives in Aimeliik State with his wife, Mrs. Rikel Nakamura. They have four children, two sons and two daughters, and five grandchildren. Mr. Nakamura attended Ngiwal Elementary School, then intermediate school, and later Palau Vocational School, where he learned carpentry.
 
Mr. Nakamura did not learn Japanese because, by the time he was old enough to attend school, there were no Japanese schools remaining. His father attempted to teach his children Japanese, but because they were young, they did not pay much attention and instead found it amusing that their father was speaking a different language. Mr. Shigenari Nakamura recalls spending time with his grandfather, Mr. Zenshichi Nakamura, who taught him how to cook Japanese food and how to build boats. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Nakamura has built many boats and houses in Palau. He also spent several years living and working in Guam, Yap, Pohnpei, and Chuuk, where he worked in construction-related jobs.
 
He enjoys Japanese food and music, especially Japanese enka. Although he does not recall many Japanese singers, he mentioned that he likes the famous enka singer, Ms. Misora Hibari. Mr. Nakamura has not yet visited Japan, but he would love to go if given the opportunity.
 
As Japan and Palau’s diplomatic relationship moves forward beyond 30 years, Mr. Nakamura hopes to see a memorial monument built to commemorate this important milestone. He feels that having such a monument in Palau would make him proud of his Japanese heritage.