International Symposium co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Shizuoka prefecture, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
FOREIGN RESIDENTS AND THEIR INTEGRATION IN JAPAN:
Reflections on Experiences of European Countries and Challenges Facing Communities in Relation to Japanese Descendants from Brazil

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Tuesday 25 Mar 2008
9:30 - 16:40
(lunch break 13:00 - 14:10)

Shizuoka Convention & Arts Center "GRANSHIP"
79-4 Ikeda, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City　>>map

Organized by
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan,
Shizuoka prefecture
and
International Organization for Migration (IOM)

All are invited to attend

Objectives of the symposium

 In recent years, the number of foreign residents in Japan has kept rising, exceeding two millions as of end 2006. This trend is likely to continue as globalization advances further. At the same time, Japanese descendants from foreign countries - so-called “Nikkeijin” - have rapidly increased particularly since 1990’s. They have proven to be indispensable labour force for the industries in many cities, and their residence has become more permanent, inviting their family members from the countries of origin.

These foreign residents face a number of problems, including unstable employment, non-subscription to social insurances, and insufficient proficiency in Japanese, among others. Due to the difference in languages, culture and customs, there have been many cases of frictions between such foreign residents and host communities. Some cities have witnessed emergence of communities of Japanese descendants isolated from local communities. In light of these challenges, there have been active debates as to how best to integrate foreign residents in Japan.

Such debates over how best to integrate migrants have also evolved in European countries. The recent trend in integration policy is to emphasize adaptation on the part of migrants as members of society to the culture of the host communities including the local language, while paying due regard to the cultural diversity of migrants.

On Tuesday 25th March 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Shizuoka Prefecture and the International Organization for Migration will co-organise “an International Symposium on Foreign Residents and their Integration in Japan” in the Shizuoka Prefecture. We will discuss, together with the audience, such issues as to what are the obstacles hampering the harmonious co-existence between Japanese and foreign residents; what kind of relationship the Japanese people should build with the rapidly increasing foreign residents in Japan amid the deepening globalization; and what kind of model is appropriate for Japan to integrate them.

The first session will shed light on the multicultural policy (a model of the integration policy), in which the host society broadly promotes and assists migrants to retain their original culture including mother tongues. While listening to the experiences in European countries which are regarded to have adopted such integration model, we will discuss the thrust and challenges of such model.

The second session will focus on the Japanese descendants from Brazil and their integration in Japan, in light of the 100th anniversary of the Japanese emigration to Brazil this year. Based upon the current situation and efforts in the Shizuoka prefecture in which a number of Japanese descendants from Brazil and other foreign nationals reside, the symposium will consider effective ways to address various challenges facing the Japanese descendants from Brazil living in Japan.

Agenda and participants (provisional)

 English-Portuguese-Japanese simultaneous interpretation available

Morning Session 9:30 – 13:00
  • Opening Remarks
    - Mr. Hitoshi KIMURA, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
    - Mr. Yoshinobu ISHIKAWA, Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture

  • Keynote Speeches
    - Dr. Yoneo ISHII, President of National Institutes for the Humanities
    - Mr. Brunson McKINLEY, Director General of IOM

  • Session 1 "Current Situation and Issues Surrounding the Multicultural Policy (a Model of Integration Policy)"
    - Prof. Keizo YAMAWAKI, Professor of the School of Commerce, Meiji University (moderator)
    - Dr. Jeroen DOOMERNIK, Senior Researcher and Programme Coordinator of the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, University of Amsterdam (presenter)
    - Mr. Jonas DOLL, Development Officer of Swedish Migration Board (presenter)
    - Prof. Kazuaki TEZUKA, Professor of the College of Law, Aoyama Gakuin University (presenter)

    (Break)

    Panel discussion followed by questions and answers
    - Dr. Jeroen DOOMERNIK,
    - Mr. Jonas DOLL,
    - Prof. Kazuaki TEZUKA
    - Prof. Masachi OSAWA, Professor of the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University
    - Mr. Noriyuki WAKISAKA, Editorial Writer of the Asahi Shimbun

    (Lunch break)
Afternoon Session 14:10 – 16:40
  • Session 2 "Japanese Descendants from Brazil and their Integration"
    (Japanese language education for children; living assistance for foreign residents such as language support for adults, housing assistance, etc.; corporate responsibility; and social participation of foreign residents)

    - Prof. Shigehiro IKEGAMI, Associate Professor of the Department of International Culture, Faculty of Cultural Policy & Management, Shizuoka University of Art and Culture (moderator)
    - Mr. Nozomu SUZUKI, Mayor of Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture (presenter)
    - Prof. Kimihiro TSUMURA, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Modern Communication Studies, Hamamatsu Gakuin University (presenter)
    - Ms. Tyemi Flávia YANASE, Student of International Christian University (presenter)

    (Break)

    Panel discussion followed by questions and answers
    - Prof. Kimihiro TSUMURA,
    - Mr. Osamu ISHIOKA, General Manager of the Business Projects Division, IM Company, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd Mr. Hiroshi INOUE, Director of the Industrial Affairs Bureau I, Nippon Keidanren
    - Mr. Yuzo SUGAHARA, Vice-President of Shioji Town (Kosai City) Neighborhood Association
    - Dr. Masato NINOMIYA, President of Center for the Information and Support of the Workers Abroad (CIATE)

  • Closing Remarks
    - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Symposium Agenda (PDF version)

* Sign language interpretation and day-care will be available.