Research Projects

Creating the Tolerant Society in the Age of International Migration

Summary and Aims of the Project

In the current world, globalization is deepening at an accelerating rate, and a growing number of countries are experiencing rapid economic development. By 2017, the percentage of people living under the level of absolute poverty had dropped from 50% in the mid-1960s to less than 10%, and material wealth is being achieved globally on average. However, the population and age structure has changed rapidly not only in developed countries but also around the world, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor is becoming more pronounced. In this context, we can expect that there will be more migration in the future. Given recent trends in global migration, it is certain that Asia will become one of the two major immigrant regions on a par with Europe by 2050. Also, there are a lot of megacities in Asia, and the aging population in Asia, which is expected to accelerate in the coming years, will intensify the competition for attracting labor and immigration.

Looking at another issue, while migration can solve the problem of labor shortages and contribute to the creation of a diverse society, it can also increase conflicts caused by racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural differences. In addition, people left behind by globalization increasingly tend to become chauvinistic towards the world. Populistic and nationally- triumphst mobilization, which seeks to use such grievances to gain political power, has also become observable. In addition to this, the spread of the novel coronavirus also tends to encourage such anti-immigrant populism.
Accelerated international migration in Asia is expected to cause major seismic shifts not only in the Asian region but also globally. Its impact will not be limited to the issue of international migration, but will yield complex interlinked issues composed of social, natural, and national spheres. Therefore, this research project aims to clarify how the positive impacts associated with international migration can be magnified while the negative impacts can be contained by focusing on Asia and analyzing the positive and negative impacts of international migration on society, rural communities, the natural environment and politics.

Furthermore, this research project is linked to SDG Goal #10, which aims to, among other things, correct inequalities within and between countries, because we will try to clarify the reality of discrimination and division due to differences in race, ethnicity, origin and religion, as well as growing economic disparities and inequalities based on these differences, which are becoming more and more apparent as international migration increases, and try to present measures to overcome these issues. At the same time, this project is also deeply linked to the achievement of SDG Goal #16, which seeks to bring peace and justice to all, by considering how to overcome the current aggressive political strategies that fuel division and their accompanying setbacks to democracy.

Lastly, this research project will focus on training the next generation of researchers. Earlier career researchers participating in this project are strongly expected to broaden and deepen their research by engaging in comprehensive research projects on international migration from their own perspectives. In addition, we are planning to have leading researchers and practitioners from Japan and abroad who are active in various academic and practical fields participate in the process of our research project. Through interaction with these experts, the next generation of researchers in this project will be able to develop their research careers by learning the latest arguments and analyses through collaborative research networks.

Research Projects