Why was a Japanese featured as a Mexican mafia member in the movie American you?

Why was a Japanese featured as a Mexican mafia member in the movie American you?
"El Japo" from American Me is apparently based on a real Japanese-American member of the Mexican Mafia during the 1970-1980's. Since black and white prison gangs would not accept asian-americans, El Japo joined the Mexican Mafia.


Little is known about the real counterpart but at the end film he is depicted as being the only remaining member loyal to Santana, refusing to take part in his murder and ultimately condemning himself to be murdered for this disloyalty to the rest of the mafia. His death is simply implied based on La Eme's laws, as they do not depict his murder.