Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2012

Tell us who are you and why you’re in Japan…

My name is Yukie Watanabe, I’m a fourth-generation nikkei Brazilian diplomat. I am currently serving as Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Brazil.

How long have you been in Japan?

I just completed seven months in August.

What is your department of the Brazilian Embassy responsible for?

We try to bring a little bit of Brazilian culture to Japan. We feel that people are curious about our country but they don’t know much beyond the soccer-samba-bossa nova image Brazil carries. We try to bring other things to the mix—other music genres, literature, contemporary art, fashion—so that people can expand their idea of Brazil, and hopefully fall in love with different aspects of our culture.

What kind of things do you do with the community?

Our goal is to inspire people to understand and like Brazil. We participate in different events, such as the Brazilian Festival in Yoyogi Park and the Bossa Aoyama, within the Aoyama Matsuri. This year, Tulipa Ruiz, a new Brazilian singer, will perform in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kamakura and Yamagata. We also have a project to open the embassy to the public. For that, we have monthly photo exhibitions and, during Tokyo Designers Week, we’ll have two graffiti artists painting the Embassy wall.

What’s the atmosphere like at the Brazilian Embassy?

It’s the best of both worlds. It’s fun and warm, like in Brazil, and hard-working and disciplined, as one would think of Japan.

Where’s the best caipirinha in Tokyo?

There are many Brazilian restaurants that serve good caipirinhas. The meanest ones, though, we make at home.

Do you samba in Tokyo? Where?

I’m all for breaking stereotypes: I am a Brazilian that can’t really samba. I can dance a little bit of forró, a rhythm from Northeast Brazil. And I used to dance Japanese odori, of the Hanayagi School. A far cry from samba.

Which is your strongest language: Japanese, Portugese or English?

Definitely Portuguese. I’m still taking baby steps in Japanese.

What do you miss about living in Brazil?

Family. And being able to read the newspaper or restaurant menus.

What do you think you’ll miss when you go back?

Everything. From the people I work with to the ever convenient and punctual metro, to the cultural options Tokyo offers.

Where’s your favorite place to chill out in Tokyo, especially during the humid summer?

As I just arrived in January, I’m still exploring the city–and loving it! For now, I am enjoying the ballet season at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and hitting as many museums as I possibly can.

Find out more about the Brazilian Embassy in Japan’s activities at www.brasemb.or.jp (site in Japanese or Portuguese)