Japan as an Immigration State: Reforming Japan’s Labor Immigration Policy and Combating the Anti-Immigration Sentiment



Abstract Views
1003

Downloads
820

Citations

Share

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Submitted Apr 19, 2023
Published Jun 6, 2023
10.24018/ejdevelop.2023.3.3.257

Abstract viewed = 1003 times

Table of Contents

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

In the age of migration, in order to remain competitive in the global marketplace, states are faced with the need to supplement their domestic labor resources with imported manpower. This whole exchange needs to be regulated accordingly regarding both admission and integration into a new country. Out of the advanced industrial states of the world, Japan is relatively new to the immigration game and its immigration policy is perceived as strict against importing labor from abroad. Recently, however, Japan has been showing promising signs of a shift towards a more open labor market for migrants through various reforms. This paper presents the evolution of the Japanese immigration policy, specifically regarding migrant workers, since it first acquired its status as an “Immigration State”, while it also addresses the public opinion surrounding the matter, which does not seem welcoming of the new additions in the Japanese society.
Keywords: Acceptance Immigrant Workers Japan Labor Shortage Status of Residence Xenophobia

References

  1. Asahi Shinbun (2004, November 19). Kōgyō Biza no Hakkyū, Jimin “Genkakuka o” [Issuing of entertainer visas, LDP ‘more strict application’]. Asahi Shinbun evening edition, pp.2
     Google Scholar
  2. CEICdata.com. (2018, June 1). Japan Unemployment Rate. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/japan/unemployment-rate
     Google Scholar
  3. Chiavacci, D. (2020). Civil Society and the State in Democratic East Asia: Between Entanglement and Contention in Post High Growth. In D. Chiavacci, S. Grano, & J. Obinger (Eds.), New Immigration, Civic Activism and Identity in Japan Influencing the ‘Strong’ State. Amsterdam University Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv12sdvjk.10
     Google Scholar
  4. Chung, E. A. (2010). Immigration and Citizenship in Japan. Cambridge University Press.
     Google Scholar
  5. Davison, J., Peng, I. (2021). Views on immigration in Japan: identities, interests, and pragmatic divergence, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(11), 2578-2595. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2020.1862645
     Google Scholar
  6. DOS (2001-2019). Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, DC: Department of State
     Google Scholar
  7. Global PEO Services. (2022, April 26). Top 15 Countries by GDP in 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://globalpeoservices.com/top-15-countries-by-gdp-in-2022/
     Google Scholar
  8. Green, D. (2017, March). Immigrant Perception in Japan: A Multilevel Analysis of Public Opinion. Asian Survey, 57(2), 368–394. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26367754
     Google Scholar
  9. Gunawan, B. F. X., & Iskandar, K. (2022). The Illegal Network of Foreign Workers: The Missing Indonesian Migrant Workers in Japan. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v5i2.4639
     Google Scholar
  10. Kalicki, K. (2019). Security Fears and Bureaucratic Rivalry: Admitting Foreign Labor in Japan and Taiwan. Comparative Politics, 51(4), 603-623. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26663950
     Google Scholar
  11. Liu-Farrer, G. (2020). Japan and Immigration: Looking Beyond the Tokyo Olympics. The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, 18(4). https://apjjf.org/-Gracia-Liu-Farrer/5345/article.pdf
     Google Scholar
  12. Madani, A. R., Herningtyas, R. (2022, March 1). The Reform of Japan’s Mіgrant Workers Polіcy in 2019. Proceedings of the International Conference on Public Organization (ICONPO 2021). https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.220209.055
     Google Scholar
  13. Menju, T. (2017, November 28). Mounting Pressure for Japan to Tackle Immigration Policy. Asian Pacific Bulletin, 406. http://www.jstor.com/stable/resrep17391
     Google Scholar
  14. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. (n.d.). What is the SSW ? Japan is looking for Specified Skilled Workers!. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/fna/ssw/us/overview/
     Google Scholar
  15. Nakamura, Y. (2021). Japan's pandemic baby bust seen pushing births below 800,000. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Society/Japan-s-pandemic-baby-bust-seen-pushing-births-below-800-000
     Google Scholar
  16. Oishi, N. (2021, March 27). Skilled or unskilled?: The reconfiguration of migration policies in Japan, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(10), 2252-2269. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183x.2020.1731984
     Google Scholar
  17. Ortlieb, J. (2021, June 21). Dealing with Honne and Tatemae in Japan. Jobs in Japan. https://jobsinjapan.com/living-in-japan-guide/dealing-with-honne-and-tatemae-in-japan/
     Google Scholar
  18. Real Estate Japan Blog. (2018, October 30). Japan to Consider Accepting Foreign Workers in 14 Industries Under New Residency Visa – Up From Original 5. https://resources.realestate.co.jp/living/japan-to-consider-accepting-foreign-workers-in-14-industries-under-new-residency-visa-up-from-original-5/
     Google Scholar
  19. Sakanaka, H. (2005). Nyūkan Senki: ‘Zainichi’ Sabetsu, ‘Nikkeijin’ Mondai, Gaikokujin Hanzai to, Nihon no Kinmirai (War record of the Immigration Office: ‘Zainichi’ discrimination, the ‘Nikkeijin’ problem, foreign crime and the near future of Japan]. Tōkyō: Kōdansha.)
     Google Scholar
  20. Sasaki, Sh. (2021, November). 2021 Immigration Control and Residency Management: Content. Ministry of Justice. https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/policies/03_00015.html
     Google Scholar
  21. Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (n.d.). Statistics Bureau Home Page/Statistical Handbook of Japan 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/c0117.html
     Google Scholar
  22. Takao, Y. ( 2022, February 12). Civic rights for foreign residents sparks backlash in Japan. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/02/12/civic-rights-for-foreign-residents-sparks-backlash-in-japan/
     Google Scholar
  23. Vogt, G. Achenbach, R. (2012). International Labor Migration to Japan: Current Models and Future Outlook. ASIEN, 124. https://www.academia.edu/1852742/International_Labor_Migration_to_Japan_Current_Models_and_Future_Outlook
     Google Scholar
  24. Weiner, M. (2000). Japan and Global Migration: Foreign Workers and the Advent of a Multicultural Society. In M. Douglass & G. S. Roberts (Eds.), Japan in the age of migration (3rd ed.). University of Hawai’i Press.
     Google Scholar
  25. Yamanaka, K. (1993, Spring). New Immigration Policy and Unskilled Foreign Workers in Japan. Pacific Affairs. 66(1), 72-90. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2760016
     Google Scholar
  26. Yomiuri Shinbun (2004, November 20). Jinshin Baibai: Nihon Seifu no Hannō okure ni Hihan aitsugu [Human trafficking: Reaction of Japanese government criticized]. Yomiuri Shinbun morning edition, pp. 13
     Google Scholar
  27. Zandt, F. (2022, September 22). The World’s Aging Societies. Statista Infographics. https://www.statista.com/chart/28319/estimated-share-of-population-aged-65--by-country/
     Google Scholar
  28. Zhang, R., McCornac, D. (2022). The Plight of Foreign Workers in Japan: Their Stories Speak for Themselves. Border Crossing, 12(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.33182/bc.v12i1.2114
     Google Scholar