Portuguese

TL;DR: Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world and is commonly used in regions with a high concentration of Brazilians in Japan. The language is also found in public signs and has given rise to a mixed linguistic variety called dekasseguês.

Abstract: Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world and Japan has the third largest Brazilian diaspora. Brazilians constitute the fifth largest minority community. In regions with a high concentration of Brazilians, such as Shizuoka and Aichi prefectures, the Portuguese language is commonly used as a first language. Portuguese is found in the linguistic landscape of public signs. Linguistic contact between Portuguese and Japanese has given rise to a mixed linguistic variety called dekasseguês. Many Brazilian children experience difficulty in learning Portuguese, an issue of heritage language maintenance. Parental choice whether or not to transmit Portuguese in the home as well as the quality of teaching in schools are determining factors in the transmission of Portuguese within the community. Portuguese is taught at several universities, and Brazilian and Portuguese culture—music, festivals, etc.—features prominently in Japan.