~ “Nikkei” in Palau~ Interview Series: Vol.38 Mr. Dorotheo Nagata

Mr. Dorotheo Nagata, now 73 years old, is a third-generation Palauan of Japanese descent. He is one of nine children born to Sinzi Nagata and his wife, Satsko. Although his mother carried a Japanese name, she had no Japanese ancestry. His grandfather, Naokichi Nagata, was fully Japanese, while his grandmother, Diralmal, was from Peleliu. Mr. Dorotheo Nagata is married to Mrs. Deborah Nagata, and together they have seven children and many grandchildren.
 
In 1963, when a group of Palauans traveled to Japan, Mr. Nagata asked them to help locate his grandfather, Naokichi Nagata. Sadly, they returned with the news that his grandfather had already passed away.
 
Mr. Nagata began his education at Maristella Elementary before going overseas to study at Patch High School in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. While still a student at Patch High, his father passed away in Palau. After graduating in 1972, he pursued further studies at Maui Community College in Hawaii, where he spent two years earning an Associate Degree in Mechanics and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts.
 
In 1974, he returned to Palau and joined the Micronesian Occupational College (now Palau Community College), contributing to the institution while gaining practical experience. Two years later, in 1976, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Education.
 
Following his graduation, Mr. Nagata returned to Palau once again and took a position in the administration department at the Micronesian Occupational College. In addition to his administrative work, he also served as a substitute mathematics teacher, combining his managerial and teaching skills to support the college community.
 
In 1978, Mr. Nagata received another scholarship to study at the East-West Center, where he earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1980. Following his graduation, he returned to Palau and accepted the position of Director at the Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA). Aware that the role would be challenging due to limited funding, he took on the responsibility with determination. Skilled in grant writing, he leveraged his expertise to secure alternative funding sources, strengthening PCAA and enhancing its services to the community.
 
He fondly recalls that one of the final projects during his tenure as Director was the construction of a Head Start building, funded through the Japan Grants for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP). Since his retirement in 2013, Mr. Nagata continues to stay busy, this includes being an active board member for different organizations and taking part in farming activities.
 
As a third-generation Palauan with Japanese roots, Mr. Nagata says he hasn’t had much exposure to Japanese culture. However, he is well aware of the numerous assistance that Japan government has provided to Palau. Over the years, he has watched Japan and Palau strengthen their ties and sees their relationship as a positive and mutually supportive one. He hopes that Japan will continue to support Palau, particularly in efforts to strengthen the country’s power supply.