NEWS

2025.10.22

【Report】AJI International Workshop 2025 “Toward Enhanced ASEAN-Japan Mobility Cooperation: The Issues Surrounding Japan-Southeast Asia’s Mobility” was held!

The International Workshop titled “Toward Enhanced ASEAN-Japan Mobility Cooperation: The Issues Surrounding Japan-Southeast Asia’s Mobility” was held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Asia Japan Institute, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka Ibaraki Campus, Japan, and Online (via Zoom)

First, the project leader and moderator, Dr. Yusy Widarahesty, a Senior Researcher at the Asia-Japan Research Institute, opened the symposium and introduced Prof. Toshiyuki Takeda, Professor and Deputy Director of the Asia-Japan Research Institute at Ritsumeikan University, who delivered the welcoming speech.

Photo: On the right, Dr. Yusy Widarahesty moderating the session; on the left, Prof. Toshiyuki Takeda delivering his welcome speech

The presentations began with a lecture from Dr. Mario Lopez, Associate Professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, who gave a speech entitled “In ‘migrant workers’ we Trust? Bottom-up co-existence and the hard limits of Japan’s migration policies.” He started the presentation by pointing out the current condition of “Japan First” political narrative, which colored Japan's immigration policy during the election. Dr. Lopez unpacked how the so-called moral panic around migration reflects not only fears about foreigners but also the deeper anxieties of Japan’s immobile population and a broader crisis of political representation. In addition, he explained how, on “X,” current discourses on migration reveal a stark schism in the national narrative—a parallel world in which popular anxieties directly contest the state narratives circulated in legacy media. Hashtags and viral videos function as a political vocabulary, articulating a growing sense of disenfranchisement. It is tempting either to dismiss this rhetoric or to become absorbed in its provocations, yet the analytical task lies elsewhere: to listen closely to the grievances beneath the surface. What emerges is not simply the excesses of “migration” discourse, but deeper concerns over livelihoods, children’s futures, and the erosion of security.

Then he analyzed how Japan’s demographic decline makes foreign labor a structural necessity, particularly in the care sector, where shortages are most acute, and emphasized how everyday spaces—care homes, training schools, and workplaces—offer bottom-up models of coexistence. These settings provide us with a framework to rethink the social fabric of Japan and imagine a more inclusive future.

He concluded by highlighting that foreign workers are not temporary or transient; they are essential persons who, alongside many others, sustain the very functions of Japanese society. This reality demands a redefinition of who is considered “essential.” At the same time, we must bring to light the paradoxes that structure migration debates: while care homes and similar sites are everyday arenas of cultural negotiation and intimate interaction, these lived encounters are consistently sidelined in broader public discourse that continues to demonize migrants. The real “other” in this debate is not the migrant but the political and economic system that failed many Japanese citizens and led to demographic disorder. Ultimately, Japan’s future will be determined not by exclusion but by the capacity to weave webs of care that embrace those who provide them. Achieving this requires a genuine, bottom-up debate that moves beyond conditional, market-driven models of inclusion and affirms the dignity and worth of all essential workers

Photo: Dr. Mario Lopez delivering his presentation

Next, Dr. Yusy Widarahesty, Senior Researcher, Ritsumeikan Asia-Japan Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, gave a presentation entitled “ASEAN – Japan Low Wage Labor Migration Regimes.” Dr. Yusy began by explaining the migration situation in Asia, particularly the push and pull factors that trigger labor mobility from Southeast Asian countries, such as rural poverty and disparities in wages and economic opportunities, as well as changes in demographic conditions. Existing social networks in host countries also act as pull factors, primarily due to a well-established migration industry that includes migration agents, recruiters, travel providers, and immigration officials. These conditions are similar to those in Japan, which faces a significant labor shortage exacerbated by demographic changes, making Japan dependent on migrant labor from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines as the primary sources of labor migration to the country.

Dr. Yusy stated that while “temporary” labor is often presented as a means of alleviating poverty and fostering development, it remains highly debated, frequently associated with low job quality and persistent gaps in decent work. Many forms of temporary migration continue to pose significant challenges to the protection of migrant workers and the effective management of global labor migration. Nevertheless, a bureaucratic system has developed that prioritizes industrial demands and the pursuit of short-term profits over the welfare of migrants, who serve as a reserve transnational floating labor force. This system wields the power to regulate and oversee the institutions and entities involved in facilitating the movement of people across borders, with responsibilities not only for supporting labor migrants but also for managing their flow on behalf of both countries that send and receive them.

She compared the vulnerable situations of migrant workers from three countries, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which are the top three sources of low-skilled laborers participating in the Technical Intern Trainee Program (TITP) in Japan. She discusses the crucial role that intermediaries, or recruiters, play in managing regulations not only before the workers depart but also throughout and after the program.

In her conclusion, Dr. Yusy highlighted that the narrative surrounding labor migration cooperation between ASEAN countries and Japan often focuses on dreams and the concept of “golden cooperation,” as promoted by both the Japanese government and the sending countries. However, this perspective tends to overshadow critical issues, particularly the protection of migrant workers. As a result, persistent exploitation and human rights violations continue to be evident today.

Photo: Dr. Yusy Widarahesty presenting his research

The third speaker was Dr. Saito Yoshihisa, an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University. Whose presentation was titled, “Can Japan become the 'destination of choice' for foreign workers? Case study of Vietnamese workers in Japan.”

Dr. Saito opened the presentation by explaining how the Japanese TITP program is highly problematic and has been criticized as a forced Labor program or human trafficking, as reported by the Trafficking in Persons Report, June 2021 of the USA’s Department of State. He showed the vulnerable condition of Vietnamese workers under the TITP in Japan. For example, during the period before departure, prospective participants are subjected to physical training that does not require any skills, but rather patience, obedience, and physical strength.

Dr. Saito explained that prospective participants from Vietnam are drawn to Japan by the “Japanese dream” and economic opportunities to improve their lives. However, this dream is quickly shattered upon their arrival in Japan, as the program is far from what they imagined it to be. As a researcher who advocates for many Vietnamese migrant workers, he highlighted the shocking conditions they face in Japan, including inadequate housing, salaries that are significantly lower than the standard, insufficient labor safety, work accidents, physical violence, forced use of illegal drugs, and sexual harassment by Japanese workers.

He emphasized that this situation was further worsened by the temporary nature of the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). Specifically, once the fixed “Training Period,” which typically lasts three years, comes to an end, Technical Intern Trainees are required to return to their home countries to contribute to their nation’s economic development by utilizing the skills they acquired in Japan. This means that Technical Intern Trainees need to earn enough money within this set “Training Period” to support their families back home. Consequently, due to restrictions on changing jobs, they do not have the opportunity or time to advocate for their rights. At the conclusion of the presentation, Dr. Saito stressed that all of this should be changed and that such a change must begin in Japan.

Photo: Dr. Saito Yoshihisa presenting his research

The second session started with a presentation from Prof. Reiko Ogawa, a Professor at the Graduate School of Social Sciences, Chiba University, on “Crisis of Social Reproduction and Transformation of Migration and Care.” In her presentation, Prof. Ogawa explained that East Asian societies are encountering a similar demographic crisis and a shortage of care services. All these societies are relying on migrants to address these issues, although their approaches differ. This situation is not merely a coincidence; it stems from a structural problem inherent in the gendered capitalist system.

She defined the recent reforms in Japan’s policies as having established various migration pathways that offer routes to citizenship, particularly in the long-term care sector. While Japan faces similar challenges, including an aging population, a declining birth rate, and a shrinking workforce, its care migration pathways differ from those in other East Asian nations in at least two significant aspects. Firstly, there exists a route to citizenship through a licensing exam, which creates a legal framework for migrants to settle, reunite with their families, and ultimately attain permanent residency. Secondly, the work conditions are formal and regulated by labor laws, ensuring complete social security coverage. These two factors contrast sharply with the typical portrayal of “care work” elsewhere, which is frequently categorized as “unskilled,” “informal,” and “disposable.”

Professor Ogawa argued that the incorporation of migrants into the care sector reflects a strong tendency toward being seen as a “Good Citizen.” This concept encompasses not only political membership but also cultural expectations of being accepted and appreciated by the Japanese community. Long-term care is deeply ingrained in the cultural notion of “Japaneseness,” which emphasizes ideals of independence and self-fulfillment. Migrant care workers play a crucial role in serving the interests of the elderly in Japan, often setting aside their own needs in the process. Learning the Japanese language is a key aspect of becoming a care worker, as it helps bridge cultural differences and cultivates the image of a good citizen.

Prof. Ogawa concluded by summarizing that Care work in Japan is linked to the certification of care workers and their citizenship status. However, access to these opportunities is unequally distributed based on the four migration channels. Care citizenship is limited, as it depends on one’s occupation and is only granted to individuals who are actively working as care workers. If a care worker becomes sick or injured before applying for permanent residency and can no longer perform their job, their entitlement becomes meaningless. The limitations of care citizenship not only stem from its precarious nature but also from the training process required to become a care worker, which is closely tied to the expectation of becoming a “good citizen” in Japan. In essence, individuals are expected to conform and discipline themselves in exchange for the possibility of obtaining citizenship. Furthermore, the existing inequalities based on gender and ethnicity are compounded by a stratification of migrant workers, which is determined not by educational level or experience, but rather by the migration channels through which they arrived. Therefore, it is essential to develop a strategy that ensures care workers are treated fairly and that migrants can secure full citizenship.

Photo: Prof. Reiko Ogawa delivering her presentation

Next, Dr. Jotaro Kato, an Associate Professor at Meiji Gakuin University, gave a presentation titled “Capability Development among Returned Vietnamese Technical Interns.” Dr. Kato presented on the post-return experiences of Vietnamese TITP participants, analyzing the conditions under which their narrowly defined skills have been transferred from Japan to Vietnam through TITP, and how returning interns employ their new abilities after their migration experiences.

In his presentation, Dr. Kato highlighted crucial implications for policy design that demand urgent attention. In Japan, the forthcoming Employment with Skill Development Program must prioritize diverse and impactful training opportunities, moving beyond mere repetitive tasks to cultivate transferable skills that truly empower individuals. For Vietnam and other sending countries, it is essential to establish policies that facilitate the return of migrants, ensuring that their savings, knowledge, and symbolic capital are harnessed for productive ventures that can stimulate local economies. Furthermore, migration governance must be fundamentally reoriented to recognize that the actual value of migration extends beyond the transfer of technical skills; it lies in the broader enhancement of human potential, fostering innovation and growth in a globalized world.

In conclusion, Dr. Kato emphasized that, ultimately, the developmental value of migration lies not only in the transfer of technical expertise but also in the broader expansion of human potential across borders. Recognizing this complexity is essential as Japan reforms its migration system and as sending countries seek to leverage migration for sustainable development.

Photo: Dr. Jotaro Kato delivering his research

The last presenter was Professor Anderson V. Villa, a Professor at Mindanao State University, Philippines, who gave a presentation on “Navigating Home: Evolving Local Integration and Its Influence on the Return and Reintegration of Filipino Migrant Workers from Japan.” Prof. Villa started his presentation by discussing the implications of Japan’s local integration policies on the return migration and reintegration of Filipino migrants in the Philippines. To address this issue, Prof. Villa used a bilateral approach, examining the intersection of two policy areas: (1) Japan’s immigration control and local integration frameworks, and (2) the Philippines’ return migration and reintegration strategies.

Prof. Villa emphasized that ultimately, economic necessity—not social integration—remains the primary factor influencing whether migrants choose to stay, return, or remigrate. The limited capacity of social safety nets in their home countries often drives migrants to seek better conditions abroad. To address these issues, it is essential to recalibrate a “whole-of-society” approach that includes the ASEAN/East Asia migration corridor. Moreover, there should be serious bilateral commitments focused on the return and reintegration of migrant workers and the promotion of sustainable migration practices.

In closing, Prof. Villa emphasized a proverb that captures the essence of integration and reintegration in migration: “A boat doesn’t move forward if each person is rowing in their own direction.” This serves as a poignant reminder that collaboration and unity are essential for progress.

Photo: Prof. Anderson V. Villa delivering his research

The closing remarks brought together all speakers, highlighting a powerful commitment to ongoing efforts in advocacy and empowerment for every migrant. They underscored the urgent need for transforming systems and corridors that have often overlooked fundamental human rights, prioritizing mere statistics and complex jargon instead. This call to action is a reminder that we must put people first, striving for meaningful change that truly uplifts and respects the dignity of all individuals.

Photo: All speakers at the workshop

Photo: All participants at the workshop

We express our sincere gratitude to the AJI organizers, the outstanding speakers, and all participants who contributed to the success of our international workshop.