Mobile Game | Hokori "El orgullo de ser Nikkei"

Main problem:

"The lack of Nikkei identity is causing the loss of cultural roots among the youth of the Peruvian-Japanese community in Lima".

Secondary problems:

• The loss of the Japanese language due to the lack of Nikkei identity is causing the young people in the Peruvian-Japanese community in Lima to lose their cultural roots.
• Lack of awareness of their traditions due to the absence of Nikkei identity is causing the young people in the Peruvian-Japanese community in Lima to lose their cultural roots.

Reseach Phase:

In the interview conducted with Cindy Tabuchi, Coordinator of the Youth Department, she mentioned that there is indeed a lack of identity. This is attributed to various interests among the youth. She informed us that out of approximately 100 people who used to attend events organized by the APJ, only 30% continued participating, and the numbers are decreasing over time. Additionally, the scholarships provided by the Japanese government are not as eagerly received as they were some years ago.

A survey was also conducted with 38 young individuals, aged 18 to 35, asking them, "What does it mean to be Nikkei for you?" Many concluded that being Nikkei meant having the best of two cultures, belonging to two countries, and being a descendant and/or having Japanese blood, whether from the paternal, maternal, or both sides. However, being Nikkei goes beyond having both cultures or having the blood; it's possible to possess them without practicing them. It's at this point that a fracture or a lack of identity occurs because we don't come to know precisely what we truly are.

Do you feel that you lack 'Nikkei identity'?

50% of the respondents claim not to lack 'identity,' but do these individuals truly not lack this identity? On the other hand, 21.1% consider that they have a slight lack of identity, another 21.1% feel they lack identity more or less, and finally, a small percentage of 7.9% believe they do lack identity. Respondents were asked to explain the reasons for their choices. Among the 50% who marked that they do not lack identity, some mentioned feeling proud and special to belong to two cultures. Meanwhile, the remaining respondents stated that their lack or absence of identity is due to not participating in activities, having limited contact with the Nikkei community, and not growing up in an environment where Japanese customs are practiced.

Therefore, we could say that there is a lack of identity since there is no very clear definition of what it means to be Nikkei or how a Nikkei should be. As mentioned earlier, one may acknowledge being from two cultures; however, if they do not actively engage in these cultures, it can lead to an internal crisis, causing them to doubt who they really are or how they should identify themselves—Peruvian, Japanese, or Nikkei?

Presently, Peruvian Nikkei have lost proficiency in the Japanese language, largely due to restrictions imposed during World War II when teaching and using Japanese were prohibited to avoid deportation or imprisonment. This historical context, combined with globalization, has led to a decline in interest and proficiency in the Japanese language among the Nikkei community in Peru.

Do you speak Japanese?

The survey reveals that over 50% of respondents have limited knowledge of the Japanese language, and 18.5% are entirely unfamiliar with it. Only 21.1% and 10.5% can communicate in Japanese, often due to scholarships or family language preservation. Some respondents feel learning Japanese is unnecessary for their current work and consider it challenging. Despite the significance of Japanese proficiency for cultural and language scholarships, many Nikkei find it difficult to reach the required proficiency level (N3).

Lily Niland's research on the use of Japanese, Spanish, and English in the Peruvian-Japanese community found that over 50% of young Nikkei prioritize English over Japanese, citing global opportunities. Mandarin Chinese is preferred over Japanese by some for business prospects in China. However, those valuing Japanese often see it as a connection to their identity and ancestry. Additionally, some Nikkei hesitate to admit their identity without knowing the languag

Target Audience:

After doing an extensive research, I defined the target audience who are young individuals between 18 to 35 years old.

The solution:

A narrative video game for mobile with different levels that will tell the story of Japanese immigrants up to the present day

Why?

Nowadays many young adults use their phone as their primary device.

Purpose of the video game:

1. Strengthening the identity of young individuals in the Peruvian-Japanese community through the use of technology.
2. Educate and culturally engage young individuals in the Peruvian-Japanese community through playful exploration of history, traditions, and language.

Inspirations:

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Concept:

Reconnection

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The name Hokori means 'Pride' in Japanese, and the Crane symbolizes 'Hope and Strength.' I wanted the brand to convey the pride that, as a Nikkei, one should feel, embracing the best of two worlds.

The game offers various options for users to choose from. They can opt for quick games, mission games, or competency games. When selecting competency games, users will have the opportunity to play with random users, earn points, and engage in real-time chat with them. The game will also offer various topics, such as history, food, language, and more. Therefore users will be able to learn more about their heritage in a funnier and engaging way.

Next Steps:

The next steps for this project would be to test the prototipe with users and see how they interact with the game, gather some feedback to improve the look&feel and the game dynamic. Likewise, collaborate with educators in order to provide relevant information, programmers, and designers.