28 Aug 2008 Symposium

Annual Joint Symposium on Migration

"Current and Future Migration Challenges: Stakeholders Viewpoints"

Japanese→

Symposium Report (English)

One should not forget the fact that human beings have kept moving since before the creation of borders for a variety of reasons, among which are betterment of living conditions, trade, escape from persecution/conflict or natural disaster, family reunification and colonisation. Japan is no exception to this continuous universal phenomenon, as is clear from the large number of ethnic Korean or Chinese residents in Japan, resettlement of Indochinese refugees and ethnic Japanese immigrants from Latin American countries, who are descendents of the Japanese emigrants to those countries just 100 years ago. Japan is now entering a new phase of migration, due to globalised activities by Japanese enterprises, demographic changes worldwide, and changing life style, among other factors. Given this background, some leading politicians as well as experts and academics have started discussing and contemplating a national framework with measures to manage migration to Japan in a more sustainable and humane manner. Such framework should include specific strategies for migrants’ integration to make migration beneficial to all including migrants themselves, sending communities, and receiving communities. Admission of refugees also entails providing durable solutions to them, which include providing opportunities for them to rebuild their lives and to become full members of the host community. Equally important is to address the significance of Japan to accept other types of humanitarian migration including trafficked victims unable/unwilling to return home, stateless children with Japanese background, and so-called “North Korean escapees”, among others. When facing such daunting challenges, there are a number of lessons to learn from the experiences of other traditional migration countries as well as workplaces and local municipalities hosting large number of migrants and of so-called “old comers” among the migrants in Japan. International agencies and NGOs should play a catalyst role in this learning process. We expect the symposium to be a venue where the stakeholders will exchange views on the current and future migration challenges in Japan. Your participation will be highly appreciated.

  • Date/Time
    10:00 - 13:00, 28 August 2008 (Thursday)

  • Venue
    Elisabeth Rose Hall (5F), the United Nations University in Tokyo
    5-53-70, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 >>map
    *7 minutes walk from JR Shibuya Station
    *5 minutes walk from Metro Omote-sando Station Exit B2 (Ginza- line/Hanzo-mon-line/Chiyoda-line)

  • Organizers
    International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations University (UNU)

  • Language
    Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation provided)

  • Admission
    Free. Open to the public (prior registration required).

Agenda
  • Welcoming Remarks
    Professor Govindan Parayil, Vice-Rector, UNU

  • Opening Remarks
    Mr. Shinichi Hasegawa, Director, ILO

  • Keynote Speech
    Mr. Hidenao Nakagawa, Member of the House of Representatives, Former Secretary-General, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

  • Presentations
    - Mr. Yoji Tatsui, Executive Director, Department of Nonregular Employment, Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)
    - Prof. Yasuyuki Kitawaki, Center for Multilingual Multicultural Education and Research, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
    - Mr. Akio Nakayama, Representative, Head of Special IOM Liaison Mission in Tokyo

  • Panel Discussion
    Moderator:
    Prof. Nana Oishi, Associate Professor, International Christian University

    Panelists:
    - Mr. Hangnyeon Chang, Attorney at Law, Midori Kyodo Law Office
    - Prof. Angello Ishi, Associate Professor, Musashi University
    - Ms. Marip Seng Bu, Secretary General, Kachin National Organization-Japan / Coordinator, Kachin Women’s Association in Japan
    - Ms. Flavia Tyemi Yanase, Student, International Christian University

  • Q & A

  • Closing Remarks
    Mr. Saburo Takizawa, Representative, UNHCR

Issues to be discussed:
  • What is the context in which the proposal of the leading politicians made?
  • What are the common problems faced and overcome by the local municipalities with the high number of foreign residents including refugees?
  • What are the common problems to be solved at workplaces for foreign workers?
  • What are the major issues concerning the Korean and Chinese residents in Japan?
  • What are the major issues concerning the Brazilian communities in Japan?
  • What are the major issues concerning refugees in Japan?
  • How can the "old comers", "new comers", refugees and the host communities interact and learn from each other to overcome problems and contribute to mutual benefits?