Webinars & Presentations
Refugee Admission in Japan
In this webinar, Maya Best will introduce participants to the experiences of refugees in Japan as they navigate the country’s strict immigration policies. Japan’s aging population and declining birthrates has resulted in an increase in dependency on temporary foreign workers to address labor shortages. Yet, Japan maintains one of the lowest refugee acceptance rates among the developing nations, making it exceptionally difficult for asylum seekers to settle permanently.
This presentation will offer a comprehensive overview of Japan’s refugee policies and their broader social implications, along with strategies and resources for educators to implement into their classrooms. Participants will explore multiple perspectives in this disputed issue, which represent the conflicting viewpoints of the Japanese Ministry of Justice, refugees in Japan, migrant rights nonprofits in Japan, and Japanese locals with anti-immigrant sentiments. The session will also highlight the challenges facing marginalized refugees in Japan and the many local Japanese organizations working to support them despite strict governmental barriers to immigration. Maya will also share her own personal experiences engaging with refugee communities in Tokyo through past research and volunteer work.
Educators will be encouraged to reflect on how transnational approaches to global issues can foster critical thinking, dialogue, and cross-cultural awareness among K-12 students.