Negotiating Hopes of Middle Class Migrants: Migration Flows to and from Japan

Session Submission Type: Organized Panel Proposal Application

Abstract

This session focuses on the case of migration concerning Japan in both direction – outward and inward. Whereas Japan has been regarded as a country relatively not impacted by migration, globalization has certainly started to affect it more profoundly in recent decades and notably, in both directions. Papers in this session focus particularly on the cases of middle-class, relatively affluent and often skilled individuals migrating mainly between developed countries. These migrants are often positioned between the apexes of discriminated and marginalized migrants usually occupying low-skilled jobs, and high-skilled migrants that has been seen as privileged, transnational elites. Driving forces of such migration has been associated with more complex processes and social changes such as individualization and globalization.
In this session, we aim to identify particular continuities and changes in Japanese society that drive such migration in both directions. We address the questions of what are the hopes of these migrants leaving Japan on one hand, and what migrants choosing Japan from similarly developed parts of the world look for in Japan? Furthermore, we focus on how are their hopes for better life renegotiated vis-à-vis constraints many migrants have to face, such as segregated labor markets, language or cultural barriers, discrimination and racism, or job instability. By focusing on both, Japanese migrants leaving Japan and other nationals from developed world choosing Japan, we aim to scrutinize various aspects of the globalization giving rise to flows of middle-class, relatively affluent people leaving and choosing Japan and its effects on Japanese society.

Area of Study

• Northeast Asia

Session Organizers

• Milos Debnar, Doshisha University

• Minori Matsutani, Kyoto University

Chair

• Minori Matsutani, Kyoto University

Individual Presentations

• Caught between the Privilege and Burden: Hopes and Struggles of White European Migrants in Japan - Milos Debnar, Doshisha University

• Struggles, Negotiations, and Persisting Hopes: Career Tracks of Japanese Return Migrants - Minori Matsutani, Kyoto University

• Globalizing Japan as Destination for the Young and Skilled: A Place to Settle Down or One Stop on the Career Ladder? - Helena Hof, Waseda University

Discussant

• Kimio Ito, Kyoto University