- 14 Mar 2002
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Yesterday, the Japan Times featured two interesting views on immigration to Japan: one by Barry Brophy who argued that Japan is not ready yet for what he calls "replacement migration":
Arudou Debito, on the other hand, maintains that more migration to Japan is inevitable:
Might sound like a threat to some. Read the full article here.
The government, even at a time when it moots replacement migration as a possible answer to the aging issue, aggressively seeks to marginalize the existing foreign population, from running absurd campaigns against foreign crime to refusing to enact even the most basic of human rights legislation for foreigners. If Japan is to seriously consider increasing immigration, then it must also be serious about creating a social and legal framework that allows for the successful long-term integration of immigrants into society. There is none at present.
Arudou Debito, on the other hand, maintains that more migration to Japan is inevitable:
It may be hard to envision Japan as an "international society," but that is precisely what is happening. The number of registered foreigners (those here on three-month visas and up) will probably top two million this year -- yet another record. International marriages number around 40,000 couples per year, up by a third from just five years ago. [...]
Demographics aside, foreigners are now an intrinsic part of the economy. To ameliorate Japan's corporate "hollowing out" from outsourcing abroad, the government in 1990 created visas to bring in cheap foreign workers as "trainees" etc, i.e. people who would work for half minimum wage and few welfare benefits.Result: 250,000 South American laborers have suddenly become Japan's third-largest foreign minority -- their population percentage in some areas reaching double digits.
Fact is, Japan needs foreigners. And they will come.
Might sound like a threat to some. Read the full article here.