Hi Orenwolf.
I have lived and worked in Japan for nearly 30 years. I am not Nikkei Brazilian. I am fluent and literate in Japanese. I am of Western European extraction, so my experience will be skewed. My mileage will vary from others.
That said, I have not seen shops or restaurants with different prices for locals vs. foreigners. (Exception being metropolitan-owned sports facilities offering residents a 50% discount over people living outside the municipality - nationality not a factor). With the increases in tourism (especially from south east and eastern asia), I am more frequently given an English menu. I ask for the Japanese, which is usually easier for me. It has the same prices.
I have not yet bought a home, but my best friend just got a mortgage from a Japanese bank and moved into a beautiful house. She had to wait for her permanent residence to come through. She is European. Several Chinese and Philippine-born friends of mine skipped the PR status and simply naturalized, becoming Japanese citizens.
Regarding the special deal for unemployed Nikkei (mainly Brazilian and Peruvian’s of Japanese ancestry) who became unemployed after the crash of 2008, the foreign community here mainly looked on that as a sweet offer. The Nikkei workers had been specifically invited to come and work in blue collar jobs through a government initiative, and given a special visa category, so they were given special consideration. Johnny English teacher, was left stranded. The return flight was an offer. Some took it up. Many did not. To prevent it’s being mis-used as a “free vacation” there was a term stipulation. I think it was 5 years that they had to agree they would not return for. For free money. From all us tax-payers (including themselves).
Finally, I know a handful of Brazilian Japanese in both Brazil and Japan. They marry who they want and their kids become 2nd and 3rd and 4th generation. I don’t see how that’s any different from being 3rd or 4th generation Irish or Chinese. (no snark intended - I am generally wondering what you are wondering about.)
