in my job while making continuous improvements. >> reporter: sakamoto makes about $2,500 a month. that's six times the average salary at his workplace. >> translator: they used to work at japanese companies. as a result, they are able to use their know-how to go above and beyond our requests. >> reporter: other japanese brazilians have returned in search of different opportunities. pedro nishimoto is a student at the university of sao paolo. he moved to japan at the age of 9. after dropping out of school for brazilians, he worked at an automotive parts factory where his parents were employed. at the time he felt he had no choice. one day he decided something had to change. >> translator: i wanted to learn about the machinery while i worked. someone said just do your job and don't touch the machines. that really shocked me. >> reporter: that led him to go back to brazil four years ago. he studied hard and was accepted by the university. these days, he says he has no intention of returning to japan after he graduates. >> translator: i think people from other countries are considered