Sophia University Institute of Comparative Culture Research Unit "Digital Social Science and Oral Narrative Research" presents


Oral Narrative Research on

New Migrant Flows of Refugees into Japan

Support and research with asylum seekers in Tokyo ("Refugee Voices Japan")


June 8th, 13:30-17:30

Sophia University, Yotsuya Campus, Bldg. 10, room 301


In 2018 Japan received 10,493 applications for refugee status; it accepted 42 individuals, actually an increase from 2017. Who are these refugees; how are they coming to and living in Japan; and how are they navigating the immigration and support systems in Tokyo? We will present a preliminary breakdown of the different steams within this larger flow, and give a first attempt bring together preliminary oral narrative interview data with refugee asylum seekers. Our presentations will focus on refugees from Africa and the Middle East, two groups who are coming to Japan in very different ways than did previous migrants. Using digital video from our on-going project, "Refugee Voices Japan," we will introduce the circuitous path asylum seekers take as they navigate the arcane immigration and support systems, try to find and keep work, endure incarceration in the detention center, and struggle with the vagaries of community connections and political inclusion. The data for these presentations come from the joint efforts of our research project, and the work Sophia Refugee Support Group, a student club at Sophia University. (More detailed information in the attached program)


Program:

² David H. Slater (Sophia University) Introduction to the Problem and the Project

² Komai Chie (Milestone Law Firm) Legal Basis of Refugees in Japan

² Robin O'Day (University of North Georgia) Economic Migrants or Refugees?: The Paradox of asylum seekers' working lives in Japan


Break

² Flavia Fulco (University of Toyama) 'Double Vulnerability' of the Refugee Experience: Gender relationship among asylum seekers in Japan

² Rosa Barbaran (Sophia University) Religion among Refugee Detainees at the Japanese Detention Center: Hope, control and sociality

² Noor Albazerbashi (Independent Scholar) Emotional Want: Refugees grapple with unaddressed emotional void and its repercussions for the refugee-support provider relationship in Japan

² SRSG, Sarah Birkley and Gabriela Nakano (Sophia University): Using Academic Research in University Support Projects


Language: English

No registration necessary


This event is organized by professor David H. Slater for ICC Research Unit "Digital Social Science and Oral Narrative Research"


Institute of Comparative Culture (ICC) Sophia University

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, JAPAN

Web: http://icc.fla.sophia.ac.jp/ <http://icc.fla.sophia.ac.jp/>