Japan's Demographic Revival: Rethinking Migration, Identity And Sociocultural Norms

by Stephen Robert Nagy (Editor)

Overview

Japan's Demographic Revival shifts discussions about employing immigration as the 'best' or 'sole' solution to assuaging Japan's demographic quagmire to a more systematic approach that identifies structural, organizational and cultural impediments that contribute to Japan's (and other countries') declining demographic situations. This edited volume also sheds light on the plethora of changes required to produce a demographically sustainable Japan.Part One includes chapters explaining the endogenous, ethnocultural and structural obstacles that link ethnocultural understandings of citizenship and nationality. Part Two consists of chapters that provide insight into the societal barriers that exist in Japan to address demographic issues. Part Three shifts its focus away from identifying and analyzing the structural, organizational and cultural factors towards chapters that are policy oriented, linking existing policies as contributing factors behind Japan's demographic challenge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789814678872
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	12/30/2015
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword Tereso Tullao vii

Preface xi

About the Editor xv

Acknowledgments xvii

List of Figures xxv

List of Tables xxvii

Japan's Demographic Revival: Rethinking Migration, Identity, and Sociocultural Norms 1

Part 1 Structural and Cultural Barriers to Dealing with Demographic Change 9

Chapter 1 Kyosei: Cultural Space, Multiculturalism, and the Prospect of a "Post-homogenous" Japan M. G. Sheftall 11

Introduction 11

What is "Culture"? 12

All the World(view)'s a Stage: "Hero-system" Dramas as "Immortality Vehicles" 18

When World(view)s Collide 20

A Brief Cartography of Japanese Cultural Space 24

Multiculturalism and the Future of Japanese Cultural Space 33

References 37

Chapter 2 Myths, Beliefs, and Implications of Japan's Naturalization Policy Soo im Lee 41

Introduction 41

Literature Review 42

The First Phase of the Naturalization Policy 45

The Second Phase of the Naturalization Policy 49

Who is Eligible to Become Japanese? 52

The Problematic Procedure 55

Modification of the Procedure and Chinese Applicants 56

Conclusion 57

References 59

Chapter 3 Identifying and Defining Self in a Changing Japan David Chapman 63

Introduction 64

Background 64

The Changes 65

The Beginnings 67

Alien and Resident Registration 69

Multinational Families in Contemporary Japan 73

New Legislation: Residents Together 74

The Koseki Dilemma 75

Conclusion 78

References 79

Part 2 Societal Challenges: Gender, Religion, and Incentive 81

Chapter 4 Demographic Change and Migration of Care Worker: State, Care Facilities, and Migrants Reiko Ogawa 83

Introduction 84

Intersection between the Migration and Care Regime 87

Actors in the Globalization of Care 90

Conclusion 107

References 108

Chapter 5 Immigration and Religion: Muslim Immigrants in Japan-Their History, Demographics, and Challenges Mhamed Biygautane 113

Introduction 113

Overview of the Historical Relationship between Japan and the Muslim World 115

Islam and Muslims in Japan: Origins, Demographics, and Religious Institutions 123

Muslim Communities in Japan: Challenges and the Way Forward 132

Conclusion and Policy Recommendations 138

References 141

Chapter 6 Demographic Changes and Religion in Japan: A Case Study of Soka Gakkai in Hokkaido Ka Shing Ng 145

Introduction 145

Hokkaido Soka Gakkai 146

Aging Population 149

Increase of Foreigners 164

Conclusion 173

References 174

Chapter 7 Nostalgic Migration - Factors Behind Recent Japanese Migration to Shanghai Reijiro Aoyama 179

Introduction - Japanese Migration as a-Phenomenon 179

"Spiritual Migrants" 181

Why China? 183

Nostalgia 185

Japanese in Shanghai from a Historical Perspective 190

Composition of the Japanese Community in Today's Shanghai 191

Expatriates and Local Hires 193

Young Japanese 204

Entrepreneurs 210

Conclusion 212

Notes 214

References 214

Chapter 8 Herbivorous Boys and Predatory Girls: Gender, Consumerism, and Low Birthrate in Japan Satoshi Ota 219

Introduction 219

The Current Low Birthrate Situation 224

Brief History of Youth Culture in Japan in the 1980s 228

The Emergence of Teenage Girls' Culture in the 1990s 231

The Image of Men 234

Media Discourse and Its Possible Effects on Young People 236

Demanding Women and Intimidated Men? 239

Concluding Remarks 243

References 246

Chapter 9 Japanese Corporate Culture and Demographic Decline Tokyo Female Workers' Views on Career Advancement in the Workplace Pui Tung Yang Stephen Robert Nagy 249

Introduction 249

Literature Review 253

Analytical Framework 258

Discussion 259

Conclusion 275

References 279

Part 3 Ways Forward 283

Chapter 10 The Potential Role of Migrant Rights Advocacy in Mitigating Japan's Demographic Challenges Ralph I Hosoki 285

Introduction 285

Theoretical Background 288

Norm Diffusion and Sociocultural and Sociopolitical Change in Japan 294

Domestic Activism: ZWU's Advocacy Work for Migrant Rights 298

Activism Abroad: SMJ Lobbying Efforts for Migrant Rights at the UN 308

The Potentials and Limitations of Advocacy Groups in Influencing Policy 326

Conclusion 330

References 331

Chapter 11 Exclusive Migrant Policies in Comparative Perspective:

The Case of the Gulf Cooperation Council States Kristian Coates Ulrichsen 337

Introduction 337

Past and Current Migration: Background of GCC 339

Solution to Capital-Rich, Labor-Poor Divide: Migration 344

Migration Over-Dependency 349

Migration and its Contemporary Consequences 354

Japan in Comparative Context 358

References 360

Chapter 12 Immigration Best Practices: Why Pragmatic Immigration Policies are Beneficial for Immigrants and for Japan Stephen Robert Nagy 363

Introduction 363

Migration and Social Integration 364

Migrants in Tokyo, Vancouver, and Hong Kong 370

Discussion 373

Concluding Remarks 383

References 383

Conclusion 387

List of Contributors 399

Index 401