A Symposium about Syrians in Japan 

Date: July 21st, 14:00 - 16:30 

Place: Sophia University, Yotsuya Campus, Bldg. 10, Room 301 

In person only 

*Registration required*: https://forms.office.com/r/NrRaB5qXXm 

Thirteen years have passed since the beginning of the popular uprising, armed conflict, and mass displacement in Syria. Twelve million Syrians, half of the country's population, are either internally displaced or have become refugees around the world, which makes it one of the worst mass displacement crises in our modern history. Despite having a rigid refugee system, being far from the Middle East, and being an unpopular destination for Middle Eastern migrants, hundreds of Syrians came to Japan after 2011. According to official statistics, there were only 150 Syrian residents in Japan by 2010, but the number had increased to 1,312 by the end of 2023.The symposium introduces the Syrian culture, the reasons for Syrians to resettle in Japan, their legal treatment by the Japanese authorities, socioeconomic activities, social contributions, the ongoing integration process, higher education, and future aspirations.

Program Welcome, David Slater - Sophia University 

Beyond identity politics in Syria: Social identities and intergroup interactions, Dania Alakkad  - Hiroshima University 

Exploring Syrian Migration to Japan: Motivations and Realities, Yahya Aoyagi (Almasri)  -University of Hyogo 

Empowering Through Education: Analyzing Japan's Complementary Pathways for Refugee resettlement and integration, Suzan Husseini  - Waseda University 

From destination to transit stop: Syrian refugees revising their dreams in Japan, Mohammed Al-Masri  - Waseda University