Present and Future of Migrants in Japan
Reports from the Grantees of the Special Subject"Migrants and Japanese Society"( 2019 – 2021 )Introduction

The Toyota Foundation launched the Special Subject "Migrants and JapaneseSociety" in FY2019, providing grants for surveys, research, and practical activities
that are expected to contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive system forthe acceptance of foreign residents in Japan.
Online activity briefing sessions were held in the last two years with representativesof the grantees' projects on such themes as support for medical care and children,
consultation systems, and human resource development.
Now in the fifth year of the Special Subject, we have received reports from 19 grant
projects selected for the three-year period from 2019 to 2021 and compiled theminto a compendium summarizing the status and outlook of each project. Reportcontributors have described the background and difficulties encountered at the
project launch, insights gained, changes affecting Japanese society, and prospects
in an easy-to-understand manner.
Accepting foreign human resources is not just about hiring workers, but also about
accepting people who will work together to create Japanese society. It is also
necessary to change the systems and ways of conventional Japanese society forpeople of various cultures and roots to demonstrate their true capabilities andbecome leaders in Japanese society.
We hope that this compendium of reports will provide hints for the future ofJapanese society, which will be created together with people of various roots.

The Toyota Foundation

The Toyota Foundation is a grant-making foundation established in 1974 by the
Toyota Motor Corporation. It views events from a global perspective as it works
to support activities that bring broad, long-term benefits to society. The Toyota
Foundation identifies issues in a wide range of areas in line with current needs,
including human and natural environments, social welfare, and education andculture, and provides grants for research and projects that address these issues.

Special Subject: Migrants and Japanese Society

The acceptance of foreign nationals into Japanese society shifted in 2019 toward
the Japanese government considering and implementing specific measures toimprove the environment for such people, including the creation of new residence
statuses, from the perspective of supplementing the labor force in specific fields
such as nursing care and construction. The full-fledged acceptance of foreign
nationals will be a major change for Japan’s society and economy over the longand super-long terms, and the impact will be extremely large. Therefore, the Toyota
Foundation has launched a grant program for the Special Subject “Migrants andJapanese Society” in FY2019, which specifically addresses the grant area related
to “international movement of people” that the International Grant Program has
been dealing with.
The grant of the Special Subject, “Migrants and Japanese Society,” will be given
to projects that study any of the five issues below and implement measures toaddress these issues (for example, building a mechanism or system to solve anissue or improve a situation) during the grant period.
(1) Creation of an environment for maximizing the skills and potential of foreign
talent(2) Minimizing gaps among foreign residents in their access to information(3) Examination of human and other resources in support of the care and support
systems for foreign residents(4) Attracting skilled human resources from abroad(5) Lessons from insights and experiences gained through Japanese companies’
overseas operations

1

Contents

Introduction and about the Toyota Foundation

Grant List FY2019

1

4

What Problems Do Foreign Muslims Living in Japan Face When Visiting Japanese Medical Facilities?

6

Project Title: For Japanese Medical Care to Be Better for People from Islamic Countries in Southeast Asia As Well: Interactive
Communication Strategy and Social Implementation Through Mixed-methods Research / D19-MG-0016

Ayako Kohno, Program-specific Assistant Professor, Internationalization Promotion Office (IPO), School of Public Health, Graduate School of
Medicine, Kyoto University
Seeking to Use Tools to Resolve Misunderstandings Caused by Language and Cultural Barriers

8

Project Title: Survey and Promotion of Multicultural Society Through Supporting Children with International Roots -Creating a
Community Where Information Can Be Shared and Trust Can Be Established Across Cultures and Languages / D19-MG-0031

Noriko Yamada, Fellow, Institute for Future Engineering
Status of Foreign Caregivers Supporting Japan's Nursing Care Workplaces and Initiatives to Improve Their
Environment 10
Project Title: Transformation from Home Care to Elderly Care National Insurance: Stabilization and Establishment of Cross-Cultural
Cooperation for Foreign Employees at Japan's Nursing Homes / D19-MG-0034

Osamu Nimonjiya, Executive Officer, Specified Nonprofit Corporation AHP NETWORKS
Improving Healthcare Access for People from Overseas by Promoting "Plain Japanese" in the Medical Field

12

Project Title: Implementation and Dissemination of “Plain Japanese” Training for Health Care Professionals and Students Through aWorkshop Assisted by Foreign Residents in a Community / D19-MG-0035

Yuko Takeda, Professor, Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University
Initiatives for Sustainable Management of Multilingual Consultation Desks

14

Project Title: A Strengthening Project of a Multilingual Consultation Service System Through Public-Private Partnerships—Towards
Reaching Sustainable Management of (Japan’s) Newly Formed Multi-Cultural General Information Consultation System “One-Stop
Centers” / D19-MG-0051

Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit Corporation Resource Center for Multicultural Community Tokai
Surveying and Improving the State of Laws and Norms in International Labor Migration

16

Project Title: Building a Comprehensive Platform for Systems Related to the Acceptance of Foreign Workers / D19-MG-0062

Shohei Sugita, Specially-appointed Lecturer, Keio University Graduate School of Law
Embracing Bangladesh’s Highly Skilled Human Resources as Working Foreigners Rooted in the Region

18

Project Title: Research and Verification Survey for a Support Model for Local Foreign Highly Skilled Personnel by the IndustryAcademia-Government-Bank Collaboration / D19-MG-0086

Sayuri Ogino, CEO, B&M Inc.
Grant List FY2020

20

Creating Pathways for Solutions to the Healthcare Challenges of Foreigners Exposed by the COVID-19
Pandemic 22
Project Title: Supporting Migrant Communities in Accessing Information and Developing Pathways for Testing, Diagnosis andTreatment of COVID-19 / D20-MG-0017

Tamotsu Nakasa, Representative, SHARE (Services for the Health in Asian & African Regions)
Modeling and Widely Sharing Case Studies of Local Regions Where Foreign Entrepreneurs and Skilled
Migrants Are Gathering and Contributingc 24
Project Title: International Joint Project toward the Construction and Deployment of "Multicultural Regional Vitalisation Models"
based on Skilled Migrants' Entrepreneurship and Investment / D20-MG-0018

Nana Oishi, Associate Professor, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne
2Investigating What Is Needed for the Healthy Development of the Ever-Increasing Number of Children with
Foreign Roots 26
Project Title: Creating a Society Where Anybody Can Give Birth and Raise Children Without Worries: Investigation on Conditions ofForeign Parents Raising Children from Pregnancy to Pre-school Nurturing / D20-MG-0022

Kumiko Sakamoto, Representative, Network for Intercultural and Inclusive Society
Spreading Medical Interpretation is a Lifeline for Accurate Medical Care for Foreigners

28

Project Title: Road to a Diverse Society for All Patients: Improving the Quality of Medical Interpreters by Establishing an OJT
Training System at Medical Institutions / D20-MG-0028

Hideomi Yamada, Assistant Manager, International Medical Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital
Why is FCE Needed Now? -To Ensure That Academic Credentials and Professional Backgrounds ofInternational Students and Foreign Nationals Are Properly Recognized 30
Project Title: Strategic Approaches for a Social Infrastructure to Invite Foreign Human Capital: Establishing a Japanese Qualification
Framework (JQF) and Utilizing Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) Systems / D20-MG-0072

Shingo Ashizawa, Vice President and Professor, Department of Global Communication, Kansai University of International Studies
Grant List FY2021

32

Seeking to Change the Unfavorable Financial Treatment of Foreigners in Japan

34

Project Title: Prototyping Financial Inclusion System for Financially Excluded Foreign Residents Based on Participatory Research for
Financial Exclusion of Foreign Residents in Japan / D21-MG-0014

Tetsuo Kato, CEO, REEP Foundation
Viewing Refugees as Latent Foreign Human Resources and Working to Resolve Their Issues

36

Project Title: Survey on the Actual Conditions of Employment of Refugees Living in the Tokai Region and Efforts to Improve Their
Working Environment / D21-MG-0016

Maho Hadano, Coordinator, Door to Asylum Nagoya (DAN)
Analyzing and Presenting Data-Driven Recommendations on the Issues of Foreign Technical Intern Trainees

38

Project Title: Co-Creation Platform for Evidence Based Migration Policy Making / D21-MG-0017

Ryo Kambayashi, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Musashi University
Collaboration Between Multilingual Consultation Desks and Welfare-Related Desks and Professional Skill
Development of Counselors 40
Project Title: Establishing a Multilingual Consultation Desk Network for Foreign Human Resource Inclusion in a Post-Corona Society
and Developing a System for Training Professional Human Resources / D21-MG-0028

Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit Corporation Resource Center for Multicultural Community Tokai
What Is Japan’s Role in ASEAN in the Intensifying Race for IT Talent?

42

Project Title: Issues and Measures for Human Resource Development of ASEAN Engineers Working in Japan / D21-MG-0039

Yuri Sadoi, Professor, Meijo University
Mentoring Changes Barriers to Foreign Human Resources’ Success, Not Just Language

44

Project Title: Research and Analysis of Changes in Mindset and Behavior of International Students and Human Resources in
Companies Through Mutual Mentoring and Systematization of Training Model / D21-MG-0042

Yu Shinagawa, CEO & Founder, An-Nahal Inc.
Aiming to Create a Health Information Platform That Is Equally Accessible to Foreigners Living in Japan

46

Project Title: Development and Dissemination of a Multi-lingual Online Health and Wellbeing Information Crowdsourcing Platform bya Multinational Team - Towards Equitable Access to Healthcare / D21-MG-0045

Russell Miller, Visiting Scientist, Department of Community and Global Health, The University of Tokyo
Publications and Videos

48

3

2019
4

Grant List FY2019
For Japanese Medical Care to Be Better for People from Islamic Countries in Southeast Asia As Well:
Interactive Communication Strategy and Social Implementation Through Mixed-methods Research /D19-MG-0016
Ayako Kohno, Program-specific Assistant Professor, Internationalization Promotion Office (IPO), School of Public Health, Graduate
School of Medicine, Kyoto University

Survey and Promotion of Multicultural Society Through Supporting Children with International Roots-Creating a Community Where Information Can Be Shared and Trust Can Be Established Across Culturesand Languages / D19-MG-0031
Noriko Yamada, Fellow, Institute for Future Engineering
Transformation from Home Care to Elderly Care National Insurance: Stabilization and Establishment of
Cross-Cultural Cooperation for Foreign Employees at Japan's Nursing Homes / D19-MG-0034
Osamu Nimonjiya, Executive Officer, Specified Nonprofit Corporation AHP NETWORKS
Implementation and Dissemination of “Plain Japanese” Training for Health Care Professionals andStudents Through a Workshop Assisted by Foreign Residents in a Community / D19-MG-0035
Yuko Takeda, Professor, Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University
A Strengthening Project of a Multilingual Consultation Service System Through Public-Private
Partnerships—Towards Reaching Sustainable Management of (Japan’s) Newly Formed Multi-Cultural
General Information Consultation System “One-Stop Centers” / D19-MG-0051
Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit Corporation Resource Center for Multicultural Community Tokai / Project Representative:
Yoshihiko Doi, Representative Director, Same organization as Rie Kuriki

Building a Comprehensive Platform for Systems Related to the Acceptance of Foreign Workers / D19MG-0062
Shohei Sugita, Specially-appointed Lecturer, Keio University Graduate School of Law
Research and Verification Survey for a Support Model for Local Foreign Highly Skilled Personnel by theIndustry-Academia-Government-Bank Collaboration / D19-MG-0086
Sayuri Ogino, CEO, B&M Inc.

5

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

What Problems Do Foreign Muslims Living in Japan Face
When Visiting Japanese Medical Facilities?
Japanese society is gradually changing to consider diversity. Yet, from a Muslim perspective, there are issues with thefront lines of Japanese healthcare that stem from a lack of understanding of the religion's norms. I would like to sharemy thoughts throughout the project.

1 Living in Malaysia, where about 60%of the population is Muslim
I was a graduate student in Malaysia for about a year startingin 2014. I lived in Malaysia then for the first time and learned
firsthand how Muslims live their daily lives. Malaysia is a multiethnic nation, with approximately 60% of its population Malay(Muslim), 30% Chinese, and 10% Indian.
Every morning, around 5:00 a.m., when it is still dark, Islamic
mosques throughout the cities broadcast prayers. This
broadcast, called an adhan, is like a song chanted by men andlasts about five minutes. Muslims have a custom of using thisprayer as a cue for their own morning prayers. Very different
from worship at shrines and temples in Japan, Muslims purify
their hands and feet with water in a mosque, prayer hall, orroom, then recite the Koran for several minutes while standingor sitting. Each person prays in silence while concentrating. The
religion of Islam is not very familiar to many Japanese. Unlessthey have Muslim friends or acquaintances nearby, they may
have no idea what Muslims value religiously. Conversely, when
I actually lived in Malaysia and interacted with Muslims there,
I had the impression that many Muslims are down-to-earth,cheerful, sincere, and genuine. I became curious as to whether
the personalities of such people are also influenced by theirreligion. In addition, since I am studying the academic field of
public health, I am also interested in Islam and healthcare as a
research topic.

2 Highest hurdle for Muslims in receiving
medical treatment is the doctor's gender
What issues do Muslims living in Japan face when visiting
Japanese hospitals? In conducting interviews throughout the
project, I found that there are many difficulties for Muslims
regarding elements related to their religious values. One of thebiggest challenges I found was that in Japan it is difficult toundergo medical exams in a way that complies with Islamicteachings.
Islamic teachings have strict rules against touching or showing
skin of the opposite sex outside of marriage. There are no
exceptions to this when visiting a healthcare facility. Regardlessof whether or not the other party has improper thoughts, it is
a commandment, so it must be strictly observed. Of course,
Japanese healthcare personnel do not have such ulterior

6

Female Muslim nurse and patient. Neither removes
the hijab in the hospital.

motives. But under Islam, even when receiving healthcare
treatment in Japan, it is not interpreted in that way.
Additionally, women wear a hijab, a scarf-like garment thatcovers their hair. The same is true for healthcare personnel incountries where Islam is the predominant religion. As shown in
the photo, doctors and nurses in Malaysian hospitals always
wear hijabs when performing surgery or providing treatment.
Skin may be exposed only from the ankles down and from thewrists up, and long sleeves, long pants, and skirts are worn evenduring the hot summer months.

The project's research was presented at an internationalLet's suppose, for example, a female Muslim patient has someconference on public health held in Malaysia.

problem with her ear and visits an otolaryngologist. At this time,
if a male doctor attends, she cannot remove the hijab. From theviewpoint of Japanese medical professionals, they might betempted to ask if the patient cannot remove her hijab, "Why did
you come to the hospital?" Yet strict Muslims must obey thecommandments, without exception. This is something that many
healthcare professionals and most Japanese are not aware of.
There are not many opportunities to learn about Islam, and I
believe that Japanese healthcare professionals do not havethe opportunity to learn about such matters in their medical
education.

3 Consideration for patient diversity is an issue
for the future of healthcare
Before starting this project, I wanted to identify and solve theproblems and challenges for Muslims living in Japan when
visiting healthcare facilities in Japan. That ambition has notchanged, but after actually interviewing many foreign Muslims
living in Japan, I realized something else. It is that many
matters related to healthcare have not yet fully incorporated
considerations of diversity. For example, if the option of being
examined by a healthcare professional of the same genderwere available, I think some people, not only Muslims but also
Japanese, would feel happy about that.
There should be a variety of means of providing healthcare. It

Ayako Kohno
Pro g ra m - s p e c i f i c A s s i s t a n t Pro fe s s o r,
Internationalization Promotion Office (IPO),
School of Public Health, Graduate School of
Medicine, Kyoto University. She was born andraised in Kyoto. During high school, she went
to the United States to study on an exchange
program and spent a total of seven years in the
United States to attend college and graduate
school. After school, she was employed bya Japanese company in Tokyo, but her desire
to study healthcare again led her to leave thecorporate world and study public health at Kyoto
University. Her research is primarily related tohealthcare in Southeast Asia and the perspectiveof diversity in healthcare.

will be important to create a system that can respond flexibly tothe situations and needs of not only Japanese patients but also
foreign patients from various backgrounds living in Japan.

Project Title: For Japanese Medical Care to be Better
for People from Islamic Countries in Southeast Asia As
Well: Interactive Communication Strategy and Social
Implementation through Mixed-methods Research
Author: Ayako Kohno, Program-specific AssistantProfessor, Internationalization Promotion Office (IPO),
School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine,
Kyoto University
Grant Number: D19-MG-0016
Project Abstract
Surgery at a hospital in Malaysia. Nurses wearing hijabs
during surgery.

When receiving healthcare services, Muslims living inJapan face challenges such as confusion caused by religious
obligations and the healthcare system as well as language
barriers. This project interviewed Southeast Asian (Indonesianand Malaysian) Muslims living in Japan to identify factors
influencing their healthcare-seeking behavior and to explore
and find insights to solve the issues they face.

7

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Seeking to Use Tools to Resolve Misunderstandings Causedby Language and Cultural Barriers
Japan is home to many Brazilian communities. Brazilians and their children live while facing various problems in theJapanese education system. I will present the findings of the project and future issues.

Online workshops were held forparents of children with foreignroots and educators to share
information and exchange opinions
on common issues.

1 Concerns of the Brazilian community

classes outnumber Japanese by five times, it did confirm that

Our project started in the unusual form of the contractor(mainly schools) and children with foreign roots and theirpartnering with the contractee of a prior study called "A Survey

families.

of Brazilian Students Enrolled in the Special Education Classes

The project members thought that by creating a platform forfor Autism and Emotional Disorders under the Japanesebetter information sharing, parents and educators could build

Education System" (hereafter referred to as "prior study"). Thus,

trust and overcome or resolve the issues due to differences

this grant project attempts to address the needs identified byin language, culture, and education systems. Therefore, this

this prior study.

grant project initially started with an aim to expand the support

The percentage of foreign students enrolled in special education

activities of SABJA, which was the original stakeholder of theclasses is higher than that of Japanese students and this is said

survey research. SABJA has long been providing psychologicalto be due to the schools' misjudgment of the students' lack ofcounseling and workshops in the native language to support theJapanese language ability or their adjustment difficulties (versus

Brazilian community in Japan.

their developmental and psychiatric problems). Experiencing

2 Various workshops and consultation sessions

and the project launchor hearing this, some Brazilian communities expressed anxiety

8

there are communication issues between Japanese institutions

and distrust toward Japanese schools and society. Concerned

switched to online due to the COVID-19 pandemic

about this situation, the Service for the Assistance of Brazilians

Due to the impact of COVID-19, this project, adopted in 2019,

in Japan (SABJA) (supported by the Embassy of the Federative

decided to switch the face-to-face workshops scheduled at

Republic of Brazil in Japan) commissioned the Institute forthe time of application to online. Since the topics were related

Future Engineering (IFENG) to conduct a survey to understandto children's development and education, I was apprehensive

the situation better. Although the survey results did not confirm

before the events, but once they were held, I was pleased withthe rumor that Brazilian students enrolled in special education

the results, which could only be achieved online. After all, a lot

of information can be gathered since participants can comewithin Japan while working toward the realization of a society

from several communities at once. The ability to learn about

in which we can live in harmony with foreigners. On further

information from various communities, such as, "This is whatreflection, I realize that there is much I do not know even within

is happening in our community," was exactly what this projectJapan. I think it is only natural that there are many things that are

aimed for. Of course, not everything went smoothly, but I believe

not understood, especially from a foreigner's point of view. That

we have identified this as a common issue.

is why we need a place where we can exchange opinions, share

3 Development of parenting support andinformation, and disseminate information. I believe this is what
creates a society in harmony with foreigners.

psychoeducational tools adopted for Brazilian culture
A parenting mobile health (mHealth) program developed by
Furukawa, a member of the group, along with researchers in
Brazil, is being programmed to be made accessible to families
living in Japan. This makes it possible to receive parenting
support that fits the Brazilian culture in their native language andat a time that suits their life in Japan. WhatsApp, which many
Brazilians access daily, is used to send short video clips andtexts in the form of “daily tips” on how to give instructions tochildren, how to encourage desired behavior, and how to stay
calm while communicating with them. Busy parents will be able
to access support without having to worry about finding help in
the Japanese community or the time difference from their native
country.
We are also creating a website that provides evidence-based

A workshop held at Chigiri Elementary School in Toyokawa City in August2023. At the request of teachers, a workshop was held on how tocommunicate and teach children with Brazilian roots.

psychoeducational materials and assessment scales developedin Brazil, in Japanese, Portuguese, and English. Identifying the

Noriko Yamada

psychological, behavioral, and developmental issues of children

She is a Research Administrator for the
University of the Ryukyus and Fellow of theInstitute for Future Engineering (IFENG). She
completed her graduate studies at the Graduate
School of Business Sciences, University ofTsukuba. At IFENG, she is mainly engaged inresearch on the educational systems of countries
that send out foreign students and research on
the acceptance of foreign human resources.
She became interested in issues related to theacceptance of foreign students when she wasengaged in "Commissioned Research on Brazilian
Students Enrolled in the Japanese Education
System Entering Special Education Classes for
Autism and Emotional Disorders".

with foreign roots and providing appropriate support can bechallenging. Parents worry about whether their children arebeing understood given cultural differences. Therefore, I hopethat Japanese educators and Brazilian parents sharing the same
information will facilitate better communication.
Living in an unfamiliar culture can often affect parent-childrelationships, so with these tools, I hope to bring research-based
support to more families.

Project Title: Survey and Promotion of Multicultural
Society Through Supporting Children with International
Roots -Creating a Community Where Information Can Be
Online workshops were held for parents of children with foreignroots and educators to share information and exchange opinions
on common issues.

Shared and Trust Can Be Established Across Cultures andLanguages
Author: Noriko Yamada, Institute for Future Engineering
Grant Number: D19-MG-0031
Project Abstract

4 Learning from the symbiotic society
as seen through the project
New members joined as the project progressed, and it provided
an opportunity for personal growth. Through lateral exchanges
with other adopted projects and the participation of newThis project aims to create tools for information sharing anddialogue to help children connected to foreign countries andtheir families overcome the differences they experience inJapanese society due to language and cultural differences
under the Japanese education system. Service for theAssistance of Brazilians in Japan (SABJA) is expanding its
initiatives, such as workshops and consultation sessions, whichhave been promoted mainly in areas of Brazilian communities
in Japan, with the aim of achieving solutions throughcollaboration and cooperation across positions and regions.

members, a multifaceted element was added to the perspectives
and approaches to issues.
I became aware of various issues and perspectives that exist

9Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Status of Foreign Caregivers Supporting Japan's Nursing Care
Workplaces and Initiatives to Improve Their Environment
Japan is at the forefront of aging in Asia. The recruitment and retention of foreign workers has attracted considerable
attention in line with the declining birthrate and various industries struggling to compete for labor. On the other hand,such workers also face a wide range of problems, such as the labor environment and the decreasing amount of moneythat can be sent home due to the weak yen. I introduce some of the issues that have come to light through the project.

Three members gave
presentations on nursing
care at the VNA Hanoi
general meeting (October
21, 2022).

10

1 Project objectives and members

experts in the field from Japan and abroad. We also conducted

What issues do foreign caregivers face in the workplace? Thea survey of Japan-Vietnam EPA certified caregivers who have

objective of this project is to review what kind of preparation andreturned to Vietnam and surveyed Japanese caregivers who

support are necessary for the host corporations at the front lines,

are working with foreign caregivers. Other events included aand to aim for a mutually comfortable way of acceptance androundtable discussion between researchers and members andworking with the caregivers. The members are a diverse groupone with Seiko Sasaki, former Commissioner of the Immigrationof young executives from medical and welfare corporations who

Services Agency.

gather at the NPO AHP Networks, Vietnamese nursing faculty,

Vietnam is the largest sending country, accounting forexecutives of sending agencies, and the chair of the Vietnameseapproximately 25% of the 1.82 million foreign workers in Japan.

Nursing Association (VNA).

However, the aging of society is already progressing in Vietnam

2 Responding to Vietnam's rapidly aging population

as well, and there is an urgent need to train caregivers for theelderly who need nursing care. At the request of the government,

and the diverse concerns of Vietnamese caregivers
in Japanthe VNA decided to prepare educational material for this, and an

At the time, there were approximately 80 foreign nurses andcare textbook in Vietnam, and while the objective was to nurture

caregivers at three corporations in Chiba, Gifu, and Narahuman resources dedicated to caring for the elderly in Vietnam,

prefectures, where the members serve as executives. Members

it was also expected that there would be applicants who wouldof other corporations interviewed these people to uncover

like to try nursing care in Japan. In this regard, we thought it

issues and planned interviews with the Japan-Vietnam Economic

would be useful for the hosting side to know what they havePartnership Agreement (EPA) caregivers who had returned

learned about caregiving in Vietnam for ongoing learning, sohome. However, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted staff actions

we translated the text into Japanese and created a 250-pageat hospitals and welfare facilities, and research activities wereJapanese version of all 23 topics.

almost suspended for the first year.

At the end of June 2023, two representatives from the VNA

In the second year, we held three online seminars titledvisited Japan, and this was used as an opportunity to hold a"Caregiving from Vietnam to Japan, " "Tips for Accepting Foreign

caregiving textbook review conference at Kio University.

Caregivers from the Field and from Research Points of View, "We also conducted other intermittent interviews with foreignand " Trainings of Foreign Caregivers, " with speakers who arenurses and caregivers residing in Japan. They face a variety of

introductory version was completed. This was the first nursing

challenges depending on length of stay, gender, marital status,

services facility answering, "not needed" to the question about

and other factors. For example, a married couple may live far"plans for new hiring". While accepting this fact, I would like toapart from each other, or they may be in the same industry

continue striving to educate and introduce foreign caregivers.

but have different holidays due to different shifts. Others may

Japanese corporations operating nursing care facilities are now

have brought over family members to live with them, but theirworking to enhance the overall nursing care services at their

Japanese has not improved. There is a limit of 28 hours per week

facilities by arranging for the introduction of caregiving robots

for part-time work. Another issue is that the yen's depreciationand the use of ICT, in addition to hiring Japanese and foreign

has reduced the amount of money that workers can send

staff. We hope to realize care that enhances the quality of life ofback to their home countries. On the other hand, the manager

the elderly through collaboration between the care provided byof a facility expressed concern about the future of a foreign

the unique personalities of foreign caregivers and the attentive

employee who has been working there for more than 10 years as

and conscientious care provided by Japanese caregivers.

a single person, even though it is their own wish. "Retention offoreign human resources" is also frequently mentioned and weOsamu Nimonjiyamust also consider ways to engage them beyond a management
perspective (although this is self-evident).

He is an executive officer of AHP Networks,a specified nonprofit corporation (NPO) in
Japan. From 1994 to 2008, he was engaged intraining support program for Vietnamese nurses.
In 2018, he was a member of the publicationcommittee for Vietnamese version of the
textbook "Gerontological Nursing and Care".
His main publications include "33 Proposals fora Multicultural Co-creation Society," edited by
Chizuko Kawamura, in which he was in charge ofthe section on foreign caregivers (Tosei Shimpo2021), and "Japanese Language Education
Practice for Caregiving and Nursing," edited by
Hatsumi Kamimura, in which he was in charge ofChapter 4 (Minerva Shobo 2019).

On October 21, 2022, we were invited to the 10th general
meeting of the VNA, where three of our members gave threepresentations on Japanese and Vietnamese nursing care.

Project Title: Transformation from Home Care to Elderly
Care National Insurance: Stabilization and Establishmentof Cross-Cultural Cooperation for Foreign Employees at

A meeting between Vietnamese and Japanese representatives

Japan's Nursing Homes.

held at Kio University to review the content of nursing care

Author: Osamu Nimonjiya, Executive Officer, Specified

textbooks (July 2, 2022).

Nonprofit Corporation AHP NETWORKS
Grant Number: D19-MG-0034

3 Acceptance of a surprisingly low number ofProject Abstract

foreign caregivers and outlook

Japan has a well-developed system of care for the elderly,
including long-term care insurance, caregiving facilities, anda certification system for caregivers. In Vietnam, where thesethree elements are not available, caregiving is performed byfamily members. Caregiving as a social norm of filial piety,changes to caregiving as a profession when caregivers cometo Japan. We will seek concrete measures to address thevarious issues arising from the gap, as well as to improve theenvironment for foreign caregivers working in Japan's nursing
care front lines and to help them become established in Japan.

Japan's chronic shortage of nursing care staff has led to a
rapidly growing acceptance of foreign caregivers. However,according to the "2021 Survey of Nursing Caregivers," theacceptance of foreign nursing caregivers is only 20-30% at
specialized nursing homes for the elderly and geriatric healthservices facilities. In other words, there are more corporations
that have not yet accepted them. The numbers also show a very
cool and collected situation, with 64.0% of the respondents inthe specialized nursing home and 71.8% in the geriatric health"Status of Acceptance of Foreign Caregivers"

（％）

ＥＰＡ

CaregiverTechnical intern

Specified skill
workeInternational
student

Not accepting

Overall n=8,742

0.7

2.0

2.6

1.6

1.3

87.9

Specialized
nursing homes
n=630

5.2

6.3

11.0

5.2

4.8

75.4

Geriatric healthservices facilities
n=259

3.1

6.2

6.6

5.4

3.5

80.3

(Compiled by the Care Work Foundation, 8/22/2022)11

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Improving Healthcare Access for People from Overseas
by Promoting "Plain Japanese" in the Medical Field
Language barriers are hindering access to medical consultations for people from overseas. To solve this problem, we
have worked to promote and disseminate "plain Japanese" among healthcare professionals. We found that it has apositive impact not only on people from overseas but also on Japanese people with various challenges in hearing andcognitive functions. We will report how our project was conducted and perceived by healthcare professionals andstudents.

An animated video describing the
PCR testing procedure created by the
project. This timely video clip promoted
public awareness of the importance of"plain Japanese" in healthcare setting.

1 Eliminating the misconception

have difficulty accessing health care.

that "medical professionals should speak English
when they treat residents from foreign countries”

The NPO organization, where one of project members works,

Many Japanese people may think that conversations with non-center instructed them to take a PCR test for COVID-19 but

Japanese native speakers must be in English. The same is

the medical institution conducting the test told them to bringtrue for healthcare professionals. In reality, very few people

an interpreter. It's obviously unreasonable to expect someone

from overseas living in Japan are native English speakers. And

suspected of being contagious to be accompanied by an

many of them are anxious about seeking medical care. It is notinterpreter. Since the procedure of PCR testing is not very

uncommon for them to become seriously ill because they visit

complicated, we thought that "plain Japanese" should bea medical institution only when they can no longer tolerate thesufficient to communicate for it. With the help of a filmmaker andcondition. Also, even if they do their best to seek treatment, they

his team who had to stay home due to the government policy

may not understand the explanations and remain unable to takethen, we created an animated video in one week that conveyed

the prescribed medications due to anxiety.

the points of PCR testing in 1 minute and 40 seconds. Featured

A doctor who recognized such situations initiated this projectin NHK News and major national newspapers, the video sent awith the help of a health communication specialist together

clear message that "plain Japanese" is useful and needed in thewith a multicultural coordinator and former Japan Overseas

healthcare field.

received a phone call from a foreign resident stating a health

Cooperation Volunteer as well as a specialist in Japanese
language education, who wanted to change the situation. Theiraim was to provide healthcare professionals with training in"plain Japanese" that can be easily understood by people from["Plain Japanese" in Healthcare]
COVID-19 Testing Edition

overseas.

2 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic stood in the way

12

3 Disseminating "plain Japanese" nationwide throughOur original plan was to hold workshops in 10 prefectures with

online sessions and producing teaching materials

a high percentage of residents with overseas roots, using role-

Taking advantage of the online environment that quickly became

plays with the participation of such residents as simulated

the norm due to the pandemic, we also launched an online

patients. When the project began in 2020, however, thetraining program accessible to anyone. To ensure effective

pandemic made face-to-face training impossible. Meanwhile,learning, we continued training sessions in which international

the COVID-19 pandemic further pressured foreign residents who

students were asked to act as foreign patients during role-playing exercises in small groups. Comments of the people from

5 "Plain Japanese" is for everyone

overseas included: "It was encouraging to see how seriously the

The unprecedented pandemic made us realize that access to

medical staff taking part in the session and making efforts", "I

health care for people whose native language is not Japanese

gained a sense of closeness to the hospital by talking with theneeds to be assured as human rights also from public healthmedical staff during the workshop" and "I want to contribute topoint of view. The need for "plain Japanese" has been better

improve communication in clinical setting".

understood over the past two years. At Juntendo University

Participants requested that "plain Japanese" training also be

Faculty of Medicine, "plain Japanese" has been implemented asheld at their workplaces as well. On such occasions, we actively

a part of its regular curriculum. The program is now spreading

dispatched lecturers and simulated patients, trained local

nationwide.

residents to become simulated patients, and helped organize

The healthcare professionals who participated in the training

workshops. After that, some hospitals started “plain Japanese”

commented that "plain Japanese" is useful in their daily practice.

training for their employees on their own.

The way of speaking "plain Japanese" is also easily understoodby the elderly, children, people with hearing and cognitive
impairment. Medical interpreters and sign language interpreters
have also commented that it is easier to interpret whenhealthcare professionals speak in "plain Japanese". Interpreters
are indispensable in the highly specialized field of medicine.
The use of "plain Japanese" is also useful to promote thecollaboration between interpreters and healthcare professionals.

A scene from online training which does not require travelfrom far. Therefore, online training has the advantage ofattracting participants from all over the country.

4 Promoting awareness of "plain Japanese"to healthcare professionals
To m a k e " p l a i n J a p a n e s e " w i d e l y k n o w n t o h e a l t h c a reprofessionals, we conducted workshops at schools fostering
future healthcare professionals and annual conference at various
professional organization including the Japan Society for Medical
Education, Japan Primary Care Association, and the JapaneseRespiratory Society. As a result, we were able to publish the firstbook on "plain Japanese" in the medical field.

Yuko Takeda
Dr. Takeda received her medical degree atthe University of Tsukuba. She is a primarycare physician trained in Boston and has beenworking in the area of medical education with afocus on health inequities and social disparities.
She participates in an outreach program forpeople in homelessness and collaborates withan NGO helping children whose parents are fromoverseas.

When large-scale COVID vaccinations began in 2021, we
received inquiries from local governments officers and Japanese
language teachers asking how the vaccination procedure can be
conducted in "plain Japanese". Therefore, the project members
again made a concerted effort to quickly create video content.
This video we produced won the Grand Prize of the "Academyof Medical Education Award" at the 53rd Annual Meeting of theJapan Society for Medical Education. In addition, approximately
44,000 copies of the leaflet were distributed in response torequests from many medical and educational institutions. The
website received 66,892 visitors over the two-year period.

Project Title: Implementation and Dissemination of“Plain Japanese” Training for Health Care Professionals
and Students through a Workshop Assisted by Foreign
Residents in a Community
Author: Yuko Takeda, Professor, Department of Medical
Education, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University
Grant Number: D19-MG-0035
Project Abstract["Plain Japanese" in
Healthcare] COVID-19
Vaccination Edition

This project was designed to provide a workshop to healthcare
professionals and students to experience practicing "plain
Japanese" in clinical settings. Local international residents
participated in role-plays as simulated patients in theworkshops. Our aim was not only to provide learning
opportunities but also to build connectedness and trust
between healthcare professionals and foreign residents bylearning together and listening to each other at the workshops.

"Plain Japanese" has been published in bookform. We attempt awareness-raising throughvideos, leaflets, websites, and the book.

13

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Initiatives for Sustainable Management ofMultilingual Consultation Desks
Multilingual consultation desks are available in local communities for foreigners living in Japan to consult in theirnative language when they have problems or difficulties in their daily lives. I introduce initiatives to examine thecurrent status and challenges of multilingual consultation desks and how they should be.

Face-to-face training bycounselors and interpreters
involved in multilingual
consultation desks. The
discussion was heatedbecause everyone knows
the front lines very well.

1 Project background and launch
The revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition

2 Issues revealed in the survey of multilingual
consultation desks

Act, which came into effect in 2019, became a major topic of

As a starting point for the project, we conducted a fact-finding

conversation as the Japanese government indicated that it would

survey of 281 multilingual consultation desks nationwide.

expand the acceptance of foreign workers. The "Comprehensive

Two types of survey forms were prepared and sent by e-mail.

Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals"

One was for contact persons at desks and the other for theannounced prior to the revision included a variety of measures

counselors and interpreters, resulting in responses from 227

for accepting foreign residents. A highlight of the measures wascontact persons and 346 counselors and interpreters.

the "development of a ‘one-stop comprehensive consultation

We conducted further interviews with 20 respondents based on

center for multicultural coexistence’ (tentative) (approximately

the results of the questionnaire. These results are summarized

100 locations nationwide, supported in 11 languages)."

in a report, which is also posted on our website*. The survey

Following the enforcement of the revised Immigration Control

results showed that the following problems with the multilingual

and Refugee Recognition Act in 1990, the number of foreign

consultation desks were cited: "the desks are not well known",

residents living in Japan has increased, and multilingual"it is not clear to what extent the desk is responsible", "thei n f o r m a t i o n a n d c o n s u l t a t i o n d e s k s h a d a l re a d y b e e ndesks do not adequately meet the needs of foreign residents",

established in various locations. However, such desks also facedand "the desks are not places where counselors and interpreters

various challenges, such as consideration of a consultation

can work with peace of mind". Based on this feedback, we

network that would meet diverse needs, training of counselors

decided to first consider how we should collaborate with related

and interpreters, and collaboration with various specializedorganizations and also to train counselors and interpreters.

institutions, organizations, and related groups.
This project was launched by a group of members in Aichi
Prefecture who are engaged in activities to support foreign
residents in their respective capacities based on the view, "It*"Multilingual Consultation Service

would be a waste to add new desks without improving such

Desk Survey 2020 Report"

issues. This is a good opportunity to leverage our experience

https://note.com/mrct/n/n5ef88a784c9f

and expertise to consider how we can create more effective andsustainable desks."14

3 Development and implementation of a training
model for counselors and interpreters

4 Looking back on the projectThrough the survey and training, the issues facing the

The survey revealed counselors and interpreters would like toconsultation desks were clarified, and the direction of what

receive training to improve their skills, but in fact they receive

needs to be considered in the future became clear.

very little.

We held a succession of online review meetings in promoting

Therefore, we first set up a training program for newly appointed

the project. The members came from diverse backgrounds,

counselors and interpreters that combined three formats: on-

including government representatives and staff from private

demand, online, and face-to-face. The on-demand service

organizations, so coordinating schedules was not easy. At first, I

was conceived as creating several 5-minute videos in multiple

was unfamiliar with online meetings, so I sometimes had trouble

languages that provide basic knowledge of consultation skills

communicating and exchanging ideas smoothly, but the process

and are intended to be viewed repeatedly between consultations.

itself was also a valuable experience. The members were able

Additionally, online courses were conducted to supplement theto see each other's faces on a regular basis, and the fact thaton-demand content. By utilizing on-demand and online tools, we

we were able to have more in-depth discussions throughout thehave eliminated physical and time constraints such as "not being

project will be useful for future activities. On the other hand, theable to participate in training far from home" and "not being able

response to the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the reality

to leave the workplace for long periods of time".

that cooperation with welfare-related desks is important but

Furthermore, role-plays and other training sessions wererarely occurred. We also shared the view that the next step was

conducted in recognition of the importance of face-to-to consider "collaboration".

face training in promoting exchange and networking among
counselors and interpreters. A participant's casual remark
triggered lively discussions, which could only happen face-toface, such as whether or not to offer sweets in a drawer to a

Rie Kuriki

counselee who complained that he or she had nothing to eat

She is the Director of the NPO Resource
Center for Multicultural Community Tokai. She
was the former Director of the International
Exchange and Multicultural Society Division,
Aichi International Association. In addition to
being involved in multicultural co-existence,
international understanding education, Japanese
language education, and volunteer training, she
was seconded to the EXPO2005 Aichi Volunteer
Center, where she coordinated and trained
30,000 volunteers for the expo. Since leavingthat position, she has conducted research on
multicultural co-existence at a graduate school,
worked as a program officer for a foundation,and served as a part-time lecturer at a university.

and was hungry, or how to respond to a counselee who breaks
out in tears.
We still have much to do in considering the content and form of
the training, but we would like to improve it by listening to the
feedback of the participants and disseminate it as a model fortraining

Project Title: A Strengthening Project of a Multilingual
Co n s u lt a t i o n S e r v i c e Sy s te m Th ro u g h Pu b l i cPrivate Partnerships―Towards Reaching Sustainable
Management of (Japan’s) Newly Formed Multi-Cultural
General Information Consultation System “One-Stop
Face-to-face training by counselors and interpreters involvedin multilingual consultation desks. The discussion was heatedbecause everyone knows the front lines very well.

Centers”
Author: Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit
Co r p o ra t i o n Reso u rce Ce n te r fo r M u lt i c u lt u ra l
Community Tokai
Grant Number: D19-MG-0051
Project Abstract
Multilingual consultation desks have been established bypublic institutions throughout Japan to provide foreign
residents with smooth access to necessary administrative
services and information and to allow them to receive
consultations in their native languages when they have issues.
This project surveyed the current status and issues of suchconsultation desks and proposed the way these desks should
be to better assist foreign residents in becoming independentwhile protecting their rights. It also aimed to develop a humanresource development program for counselors, interpreters,
and other parties involved.

The face-to-face training provided many examples ofreal-life responses and issues from the front lines.

15

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Surveying and Improving the State of Laws and Norms
in International Labor Migration
Japan accepts many foreign workers, including technical intern trainees. What systems and laws are in place for themto leave their countries of origin and move to Japan to work? The following is an introduction to our initiatives to makethe process of international labor migration transparent and to promote the rule of law.

Residence management
systemOverseas dispatch
programCity

Sending
institution

Recruiter

Immigration control system

Region of origin

Japan

Employment
agencySending country

Workerprotection
systemAffiliatedinstitution

Employment placement
system to Japan
System of social integration,
multicultural and reintegration(None currently)

Vulnerability
factorVulnerability
factorVulnerability
factorVulnerability
factorVulnerability
factorVulnerability
factor

The status quo is as follows when the migration of workers from Vietnam
to Japan is diagrammed.

1 Clarifying the whole picture of the legal systemin the international migration of workers

on immigration laws. And the reason for this may be a lack of

The reason behind our project "Building a comprehensive

knowledge of what laws and regulations are in place and how

platform for systems related to the acceptance of foreign

they are applied.

workers" (hereinafter the "project") was the low level of

We surveyed therefore the applicable legal systems of thetransparency in the process of international labor migration tosending countries for China, Vietnam, the Philippines, andJapan, which has hindered the promotion of the rule of law.

Indonesia. The results were published as a book, and we

Intrinsically, when people move from the rural areas (region

conducted trainings and attempted to create a platform forof origin) of their countries of origin (sending countries) to theinformation collection.

urban areas or destination countries (receiving countries), I feelthere should be a corresponding legal system that reduces thevulnerabilities of migrant workers.

16

that in Japan, the spotlight and workload have focused only

2 Overcoming the pandemic by outsourcing surveys
to a law firm

Specifically, as shown in the figure above, the labor market law

At the project launch, we faced unexpected challenges, such asof the country of origin, the Overseas Dispatch System, is linked

the difficulty of conducting field surveys due to the unforeseento the Japanese labor market law, the Employment Security Act,outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by outsourcing

and its special exception, the Act on Proper Technical Internthese surveys to a law firm with expertise and networks inTraining and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees. In line witheach country, we were able to research the necessary laws andthis, immigration and labor-related laws and regulations are

regulations and publish them as a book.

organically linked to shape the legal system of the international

Additionally, six training sessions for practitioners were held

labor migration process.

based on this book, which achieved certain results. Based on

Yet, I feel that the entire legal system in such international

these activities, we are currently in discussions with NGOs tolabor migration has not received significant attention, andestablish an information collection platform.

3 Aiming for greater transparency in the international
labor migration process

The Process and Functions in International Labor Migration

What I felt through this project was how much is not seen ininternational labor migration toward Japan.

Recruiter, etc.

Figure 1 shows a survey of the process of international labor
migration which was conducted by visiting Nghe An Province

Educational institution
Sending institution

Sending
institution

Sending country
government

Country of origin
societyCountry oforigin(sending
country)

in Vietnam, an area that sends many technical interns to Japan.
Connecting domestic and international labor markets(The research travel expenses for this trip were also subsidized
by this project.) International labor migration into Japan is acomplicated process that leads from the rural areas of the

Employer

Referral agency

Country ofdestination(host
country)

Host country
society

Host country government

sending countries to Japan.
I believe the role of lawyers in this field is to clarify thesecomplicated pathways and then to examine what laws andnorms exist and what norms should exist.

Figure 2

Before this project's start, there was considerable uncertainty

Diagram of the roles played by the country of origin

about the process and what laws existed. However, I believe thisand by the country of destination

project has clarified some of these issues.

City

Sending
institution

Recruiter

Immigration control system

Region of origin

Japan

Employment
agencySending country

Affiliatedinstitution

Shohei Sugita

Rural Area
(Nghe An)

Recruiter(Nghe An)

Sending Institution(Hanoi)

Airport(Hanoi)

Urban Area
(Nghe An)

Figure 1
Diagram of the route of workers coming to Japan
from Nghe An Province, Vietnam.

He is a lawyer (Tokyo Bar Association), an
attorney registered with the Immigration Bureau,
and a labor and social security attorney. After
working as a specially-appointed lecturer at
Keio University Graduate School of Law andResearch and Education Center for JapaneseLaw (Vietnam), Nagoya University Graduate
School of Law; a visiting researcher at Hanoi
University of Law, and a law firm, he is currently
a representative partner of Global HR Strategy,
a specialist in international cooperation (foreign
employment and labor-related laws andimmigration-related laws) at Japan International
Cooperation Agency, and a research fellow at
Keio Institute for Global Law and Development(KEIGLAD).

This project also made us think about the roles of country oforigin and country of destination in international labor migration.
Figure 2 summarizes the roles played by the country of origin (Recruitment → Upskilling → Placement → Protection → Reintegration)and the country of destination (Integration, etc.). Rather thanboth sides having separate functional modules, I feel that weneed to build systems in a mutually cooperative manner andwithout creating any gaps in the international labor movement
process.
I believe this project has been able to make the process ofinternational labor migration more transparent in a holisticmanner by tracking the migration process; in other words, themigrant's experience.
In the future, based on the information uncovered in this project,
we will continue to investigate and disseminate information
to make the entire international labor migration process more

Project Title: Building a Comprehensive Platform for
Systems Related to the Acceptance of Foreign Workers
Author name: Shohei Sugita, Specially-appointed
Lecturer, Keio University Graduate School of Law
Grant Number: D19-MG-0062
Project Abstract
This project aimed to contribute to the transparency of thelegal system for foreign employment by (1) collecting laws offoreign workers in sending countries, immigration laws andlabor-related laws, and (2) building a platform for disclosing
the collected information.

transparent.

17

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2019

Embracing Bangladesh’s Highly Skilled Human Resources
as Working Foreigners Rooted in the Region
Miyazaki Prefecture is now actively hiring Bangladeshi IT engineers. This presentation will introduce a project to builda support model for host companies and communities to accept their different backbones in terms of culture, customs,
and religion.

A scene from the symposium
held at the end of the project.
Issues to be addressed in the
future by both communities
and companies were clarified.

1 Challenges that lie beyond promoting acceptancedecided to apply for this as a project to take the model a step

Since 2017, Miyazaki City, University of Miyazaki, and local IT

forward.

companies have been planning and implementing the "Miyazaki-

The project planned to (1) share issues and know-how by setting

Bangladesh Model," a project to actively recruit and matchup a local platform (council) and analyze the current situation,

Bangladeshi IT engineers as a solution to the IT human resource(2) make a program for supporting life of working foreigners andshortage. Specifically, the model includes (1) Japanese language

provide it as a paid service, (3) conduct multicultural symbiosis

courses in Bangladesh by instructors from the University of

training for both companies and foreigners, (4) examine the

Miyazaki; (2) Internships, Japanese language education, andcredit guarantee system for working foreigners, and (5) makecourses on Japanese culture conducted in cooperation between

policy proposals and conduct activities to promote local

Miyazaki University and host companies in the city after arrival

understanding.

at Japan; and (3) Miyazaki City subsidizing the expenses of thehost companies. Through this model, companies in Miyazaki
Prefecture are now actively hiring Bangladeshi IT engineers.
On the other hand, most of the companies hiring Bangladeshi
IT engineers were hiring foreign employees for the first timeand had not yet developed the know-how to accept them, so
the reality was that they were learning to accept them throughtrial and error. Various types of support were needed, such asadministrative procedures and housing rental contracts at thestart of the workers' new lives, ongoing Japanese language skill
development after employment, and career support based on
differences in values. It became apparent that some local SMEs
felt limited in their ability to handle these issues on their own.
T h e " M i y a z a k i - B a n g l a d e s h M o d e l " h a s p ro v i d e d m a n yopportunities for those involved to share an awareness of theissues and discuss what can be done to address them from theirown perspectives. It was during this process that we learned
about this grant program from the Toyota Foundation and

18

Providing training for human resources from Bangladesh prior totheir arrival in Japan to help them understand the differences incompanies, communities, and work procedures.

2 Working on outputs while contending with COVID-19
One of the most memorable aspects for me was the impact of
COVID-19. It was before the pandemic that the people involvedin the project were excitedly preparing a proposal for the project.
However, by the time we received the notice that our proposal
was accepted, and we started our activities, we were in thethroes of the so-called "COVID disaster." I remember feeling very
anxious about whether we would be able to produce a certain
output amid the pandemic.
The schedule and content of meetings had to be changed,
as discussions among the parties involved regarding theestablishment of the council could not be held. And the members
who were scheduled to prototype livelihood support had tocancel their trips. The Toyota Foundation responded flexibly andallowed us to implement the project under the situation at hand.
Consultations with the concerned parties were conducted either

The Miyazaki Bangladesh Association was established due tothe increase in IT human resources from Bangladesh working
in the prefecture.

online or individually, and content regarding lifestyle support was
created before and after the arrival in Japan.
After this period, the symposium held at the end of the project
was the capstone of all activities to date. The symposiumfeatured an online keynote address by Professor Miah, whoteaches human resource management at a top private university
in Bangladesh. He referred to successful Bangladeshi IT
human resources living in Miyazaki, and applauded the support
provided by the host companies, the Miyazaki City, Universityof Miyazaki, and other local communities working together tosupport the program.
It was also a deeply meaningful opportunity for the Universityof Miyazaki, Miyazaki City, and host companies to speak about

Sayuri Ogino

the prospects of the program, while considering their respective

She graduated from Soka University in 2006
with a degree in Business Administration. After
that, she worked at an IT company as an SE forabout nine years. She then returned to her home
prefecture in 2015 to join KJS Company Ltd. in
Miyazaki, where she participated in an e-learning
research project in Bangladesh. In 2016, shestarted a recruiting business at B&M, Inc. and has
been matching and supporting the acceptanceof more than 70 Bangladeshi IT engineers incollaboration with industry, academia, andgovernment in Miyazaki.

challenges.

3 Hypothesis turned into conviction on the path
to resolving issues
Through this project, we have learned that it is important for
the local community (local government and universities, etc.)
to be actively involved in accepting foreigners in rural areas,
and for companies to create horizontal linkages with eachother. I also became aware of the fact that each institution isseeking the same. In addition to supporting Japanese language
study at local universities and other educational institutions
and exchanges with other educational institutions (junior highschools, high schools, etc.), Miyazaki City led in creating a

Project Title: Research and Verification survey forwelcoming atmosphere and mechanisms to connect them witha Support Model for local foreign highly skilled

the community. This is not something that a single company canpersonnel by the Industry-Academia-Government-Bank

easily do on its own. Furthermore, the sense of owing issues

collaborationand cross-cultural understanding initiatives on the part of the

Author: Sayuri Ogino, CEO, B&M Inc.

companies that interact with them every day often provide

Grant Number: D19-MG-0086

great ideas for peer companies. These realizations were only
hypotheses before this project, but they became convictions as

Project Abstract

we analyzed the status quo and faced future initiatives throughIn Miyazaki Prefecture, industry, academia, and government are
working together to match Bangladeshi high-level IT humanresources with companies in the prefecture as a measure
to promote the industrial development and address humanresource shortages. In the "Research and Verification survey
for a Support Model for local foreign highly skilled personnel
by the Industry-Academia-Government-Bank collaboration"that we conducted this time, we built a model of support forworking foreigners rooted in the region, using Bangladesh's
highly skilled human resources as a case study.

this project.
The Bangladeshi IT human resources working in Miyazaki will be
the generation who marry and raise children. A variety of newissues are anticipated, including spousal employment, children's
schooling, learning the native language and participating in
cultural and religious events of the home country, as well astransportation, hospital visits, and food, which are importantwhen raising children. We will continue to resolve issues as
residents living in the same community.

19

2020
20

Grant List FY2020
Supporting Migrant Communities in Accessing Information and Developing Pathways for Testing,Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19 / D20-MG-0017
Tamotsu Nakasa, Representative, SHARE (Services for the Health in Asian & African Regions)International Joint Project toward the Construction and Deployment of "Multicultural Regional
Vitalisation Models" based on Skilled Migrants' Entrepreneurship and Investment / D20-MG-0018
Nana Oishi, Associate Professor, Asia Institute, the University of Melbourne / Project Representative: Atsushi Takeda, Professor,
Faculty of Industrial Sociology, Ritsumeikan University

Creating a Society Where Anybody Can Give Birth and Raise Children without Worries: Investigation on
Conditions of Foreign Parents Raising Children from Pregnancy to Pre-school Nurturing / D20-MG-0022
Kumiko Sakamoto, Representative, Network for Intercultural and Inclusive SocietyRoad to a Diverse Society for All Patients: Improving the Quality of Medical Interpreters by Establishing
an OJT Training System at Medical Institutions / D20-MG-0028
Hideomi Yamada, Assistant Manager, International Medical Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital
Strategic Approaches for a Social Infrastructure to Invite Foreign Human Capital: Establishing a
Japanese Qualification Framework (JQF) and Utilizing Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) Systems /D20-MG-0072
Shingo Ashizawa, Vice President and Professor, Department of Global Communication, Kansai University of International Studies

21

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2020

Creating Pathways for Solutions to the Healthcare Challengesof Foreigners Exposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Foreigners working in Japan have suffered various hardships from the pandemic, including losing their jobs and nothaving access to support and vaccine information. I will introduce trial-and-error initiatives to create a system todeliver information to those in need of support as well as collaboration among organizations.

A scene from the final reportmeeting. Plans for the next
phase were also presented.

1 The pandemic made it immediately more difficult
for foreigners to access healthcaretaken at mealtimes and where to contact in case of problems.
They were disseminated through Facebook, consultation

The problem of access to healthcare services for foreigners,

services for foreigners, and networks of concerned and support

which had been pointed out for some time, became apparent

groups. However, the videos had only limited number of views,

with the pandemic. In the foreign community, the lack ofand the key was who would disseminate the information. In

information, housing, and income led to the spread of theother words, influencers. After much trial and error, we were abledisease from living in close quarters due to such economic

to establish a cooperative relationship with a Facebook page

challenges.

for Vietnamese living in the country called TAIHEN. TAIHEN has

At the beginning of this project's activities, interviews wereseveral hundred thousand followers and was able to effectively

conducted with Vietnamese, Myanmar, and Nepalese workers

deliver COVID-related information through the page.

and students, self-help groups, healthcare institutions, andforeigner consultation services, etc. to clarify the issues. Basedon the results, the project started to address three issues:(1) dissemination of information to the foreign community, (2)creation of pathways to enable foreigners to access examinationand medical treatment at hospitals, and (3) collaboration andbridge building. Migrants' Neighbor Network & Action (MINNA),
the implementing body of this project, is operated by a group of
volunteers from "Our SDGs," Services for the Health in Asian &African Regions (SHARE), National Center for Global Health andMedicine Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Institute ofInformation provided on

Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-

Facebook by the Vietnamese

JETRO), and other organizations.

online community TAIHEN.

2 Facebook is better than a website
for spreading information

22

3 Support activities to promote vaccination
Concerning the creation of pathways for foreigners to receive

Regarding the dissemination of information, animated videos

tests and medical examinations, health centers began to be(in Vietnamese, Myanmarese, Nepalese, English, and Japanese)pressed for work in dealing with infected patients and put off

were created, explaining infection prevention measures to bedealing with foreign nationals due to spread of COVID-19.

A multilingual flowchart, "Flow Chart for When You Become
COVID-19 Positive," was created to reduce the burden of

5 Regional cooperation seminars
across various professions

dealing with foreigners infected with the disease. Furthermore,

As for collaboration and bridging, a "Prefectural Profile" wasthe "Consultation Center for Foreigners' New Corona Vaccine

created by collecting and analyzing reports and media coverage(COVIC)" was established in cooperation with the NPO Citizen'sof trainees in various regions of Japan. In addition, interviews

Network for Global Activities (CINGA) to provide telephone

were conducted with companies, schools, and others who

consultation on vaccination. A total of 550 consultations were

accept foreign personnel, and issues and countermeasures

received over a six-month period, and support was provided torelated to the health, lifestyle, labor, etc. of foreign residents

foreigners from 31 countries and regions living in 20 prefectures.

in Japan were disseminated. As for issues related to technicalMany of those who received consultations were people withtraining, we found that various parties involved with foreigners

provisional release or short-term residence status who were notin each region are not well connected to each other. We havesent vaccination vouchers.

therefore organized "Regional Collaboration Seminars" inMany municipalities were not aware of the administrative notice

Nagasaki, Hyogo, and Fukuoka to create opportunities forfrom the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, such as "ifdialogue among people concerned with foreign residents.

the residence is clear, the person is eligible for vaccination,"

The final report meeting was held in April 2023. In the future,

and COVIC carefully explained this to each municipality so that

we would like to promote the "Health Handbook for Vietnamesemany of those receiving consultations could be vaccinated. On

Working in Japan," create a website version, and make it

the other hand, it also highlighted the issue of undocumented

available in multiple languages (Myanmarese and Nepali). In

foreigners not having access to the vaccination vouchers

addition, we plan to implement practical projects in certain

themselves.

regions.
many of those receiving consultations could be vaccinated. On
the other hand, it also highlighted the issue of undocumented
foreigners not having access to the vaccination vouchers
themselves.

Tamotsu Nakasa

A scene from telephone consultation at COVIC

4 "Health Handbook for Vietnamese Working
in Japan"The results of the above-mentioned surveys and activities gained
through MINNA were disseminated not only domestically but
also internationally. This attracted the attention of the Vietnam

Representative, SHARE (Services for the Healthin Asian & African Regions). After graduatingfrom Hiroshima University School of Medicine,
he joined the Bureau of International Health
Cooperation of the National Center for Global
Health and Medicine, Japan, where he worked
for many years as an expert in global healthin the fields of emergency medical assistance,maternal and child health, infectious disease
control, and international health human resource
development in more than 25 countries.
Currently, he is expanding his activities tosupport foreign residents in Japan.

Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM),
which commissioned the development of a "Health Handbook
for Vietnamese Working in Japan." By making full use of the
network that had been cultivated up to that point, a team was

Project Title: Supporting Migrant Communities informed to prepare the handbook, which consisted of experts in

Accessing Information and Developing Pathways forvarious fields. In terms of content, the main health issues faced

Testing, Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19

by young generations were covered, including mental health,Author Name: Tamotsu Nakasa, Representative, SHARE

occupational health, sexual reproductive health, and infectious(Services for the Health in Asian & African Regions)diseases. The content also includes contact information for

Grant number: D20-MG-0017

various consultation services, including public institutions andNGOs, instructions on how to use clinics and hospitals, andProject Abstract

explanations on health insurance and payment of medical

To address the health issues of foreign workers, we provided
information through various tools, including internet tools
such as Facebook, handouts, and training sessions. They ranged
from Health Handbook for Vietnamese Working in Japan,
training for healthcare workers on responding to foreigners,
assistance in obtaining vaccination vouchers for foreigners
who have difficulty accessing healthcare services, creationof Prefectural Profile with information on technical interntrainees, and seminars on regional cooperation with people
involved in foreigners' issues.

expenses, and has been compiled into the "Health Handbook
for Vietnamese Working in Japan."Many municipalities were notaware of the administrative notice from the Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare, such as "if the residence is clear, the person
is eligible for vaccination," and COVIC carefully explained this toeach municipality so that many of those receiving consultations
could be vaccinated. On the other hand, it also highlighted theissue of undocumented foreigners not having access to thevaccination vouchers themselves.

23

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2020

Modeling and Widely Sharing Case Studies of Local
Regions Where Foreign Entrepreneurs and Skilled Migrants
Are Gathering and Contributing
There are rural towns and villages that attract the attention of skilled migrants beyond such cities as Tokyo and Osaka.
Many of the migrants are entrepreneurs and investors who contribute to the development of their local communities.
This project was launched from that starting point. I will present some insights gained in this report.

When I participated in government review meetings in Japan on
policies for accepting skilled migrants, the committee members
including myself mainly envisioned they would be employed incompanies in major cities. Yet I thought that the key to the futurewould be how to attract such skilled migrants to rural areas. I
also noticed that some areas outside of the Niseko and Hakuba
were attracting foreign entrepreneurs in completely different
ways. I thought that if we could analyze the success factors
and challenge resolution processes of these regions around
Japan, it could provide helpful strategies and ideas for manymunicipalities struggling with declining populations and labour
shortages, and lead to regional vitalisation.
It was during this time that I learned of the Toyota Foundation's
grant scheme for a specific program, "Migrants and JapaneseSociety," and decided to apply for it. I approached Japanese
researchers who were experts in sociology, tourism, public
administration, linguistics, and statistics, as well as Australian
researchers who were experts in education and healthcare, withwhom I had previously collaborated on research. Furthermore,to achieve a more balanced outcome, I assembled a diverse
international team with advisors from business and government.

Niseko in Hokkaido is a popular area for foreigners. Bilingual
street names can be seen throughout the area.

1 Potential for regional vitalisation seenfrom the acceptance of migrants

After moving to Australia from Japan in 2013, I discovered thatmany of the local citizens around me were keenly interested
in rural Japan, including the Niseko district of Hokkaido and

Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture was the site ofHakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture. When I visited these areas,

the Nagano Olympics. Migrants are contributing to the

I found many foreigners who originally arrived as tourists weredevelopment of the region.

attracted to the area and relocated there, including many ofwhom had received higher education. And it was through theactivities of such people that the regions were greatly advanced.

24

2 Foreign entrepreneurs leading of regional
vitalisation and the government’s passion
to support them

3 Seeking to deliver multicultural regional vitalisation
models to many municipalities

As this project enters its final year, the background to

The biggest challenge for this project was that the impact of thethe success of the surveyed regions in attracting foreign

COVID-19 pandemic persisted longer than expected. With theentrepreneurs, challenges to be overcome, and similarities andrapid diffusion of communication tools such as Zoom and Teams

differences have become clear.

in society, we attempted to conduct interviews online, but it was

We plan to further deepen our analysis by incorporating thedifficult to get referrals from peers. We were keenly aware of theresults of quantitative surveys, and ultimately hope to present

limitations imposed by our inability to visit the regions in person.

a variety of "multicultural regional vitalisation" models that

After the ban on individual travel from abroad was lifted incan be used as a reference for many municipalities throughout

October 2022, we realized once again the importance of holding

Japan. When we have compiled the results, we plan to upload

face-to-face interviews in the field, while conducting on-sitesome of the case studies to the Council of Local Authorities forresearch and analysis at a rapid pace.

International Relations (CLAIR) website so that municipalities

The most memorable aspect of the research was that thethroughout Japan can access them. We have also decided tocommunity of foreign entrepreneurs in Niseko and Hakuba,

have Akashi Shoten publish the research outcomes as a book.

where I conducted my research, was much larger than expected

Through this project, we hope that we can show one option forand had vitalised the regions. I was also surprised by the fact

Japan to move in a better direction in the future as the country

that in Hakuba Village, a foreign entrepreneur as a member offaces a declining population and labour shortages.

the community, gained the trust of the local residents and waselected as a district leader, where he served for two terms.
In addition, although it was not reported in the Japanese
media, we heard from foreigners that they were moved by thefact that all foreigners in Japan with a resident card received
COVID special cash payments and stimulus paymentsfrom the government.. In contrast, in some other countries,
foreigners without permanent residency were unable to obtainany government benefits during the pandemic. In Niseko, in
particular, I was extremely impressed by the "no foreigner left
behind" stance of the town hall staff, who visited the home ofevery foreigner who had not applied for the COVID special cash
payments, and carefully explained the procedures to those
who did not understand it and helped them to apply. After the
pandemic, I also learned that, Fukuoka City Hall staff members
were applauded for their personalised assistance for each

Nana Oishi
She is an Associate Professor in JapaneseStudies at the University of Melbourne. Prior
to her current position, she was a Professor ofSociology at Sophia University in Tokyo andPolicy Analyst at the International Labour
Organization (ILO) in Geneva. She has served on
the United Nations Expert Meeting on Migration,
Development and Social Protection and various
national advisory boards on immigration in
Japan. She completed her Ph.D. degree in
Sociology at Harvard University as a Fulbright
Scholar and received several awards including
the ISS-OUP Award from the Oxford University
Press and the University of Tokyo.

foreigner seeking to start a business, such as accompanying
them to the banks to open accounts. I would like to present as
many positive examples of the contributions of these foreign
entrepreneurs in their communities and the efforts of municipality
staff in as much detail as possible in our project report andpublications.

Project Title: International Joint Project toward theConstruction and Deployment of "Multicultural
Regional Vitalisation Models" based on Skilled Migrants'
Entrepreneurship and Investment
Author: Nana Oishi, Associate Professor in JapaneseStudies at the University of Melbourne
Grant Number: D20-MG-0018
Project Abstract

The police boxes in Niseko are also bilingual so that
foreigners can easily identify them.

Drawing on cases of municipalities where skilled migrants havebeen contributing to the local economy through investment
and entrepreneurship, this project shares best practices inattracting skilled migrants and produces a variety of models forreference by other municipalities across Japan. It identifies thefactors leading to success and the remaining challenges. For
this purpose, the project team will publish a book and preparea handbook and policy recommendations.

25

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2020

Investigating What Is Needed for the Healthy Developmentof the Ever-Increasing Number of Children with Foreign Roots
Children born in Japan with foreign nationalities are subject to wide variations in language and educational
environments depending on their parents' child-rearing environment. We conducted a wide-ranging fact-finding surveyof 13 municipalities and 14 areas in the Tokai region on this issue, which until now has been addressed individually.
The following is an introduction to the project until now, the challenges involved in compiling the report, and the next
steps for the project.

Group photo taken withmembers of the Foreigner
Support / Multicultural
Coexistence Net after ameeting to exchange opinions
at the Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services Bureau.

1 As an organization that studies and researches

planned. The analysis and research was handled by university

Network for intercultural and inclusive society was formed inin Tokyo, Aichi, and Mie was at night, so we held many meetings

2019 by citizen groups in the three Tokai prefectures (Aichi,

via Zoom starting at 10:00 p.m. Due to the pandemic, online

Gifu, and Mie). The organization is working to support foreign

meetings have become the norm, often lasting until late night,

residents and create a multicultural society in collaboration

which has been a challenge. On the other hand, the widespreadwith the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Whileuse of online meetings has made it possible for people

providing support to children with foreign nationalities, we haveseparated by vast distances to participate. I believe the researchseen many children struggle to acquire Japanese languageof many citizen groups and the collaboration of researchers

proficiency and improve their academic performance. We

resulted in a groundbreaking research study. I was happy to hear

felt that it was too late to provide such support after children

one of the parents interviewed say, "I am very grateful to thehave entered elementary school, and that follow-up to raise

Japanese society for supporting us foreigners."

awareness of child-rearing among parents and approaches by

The survey included a census of each local government's

government services were needed before then, ideally from

population of children with foreign nationalities in 2015 andpregnancy. With the establishment of this network, we sought

2020. Although there is a shared awareness of the problem of

to survey the child-rearing environment for foreign children in

population decline, it seemed to me that few local governments

the Tokai region on a wide scale, not just in a few localities orare aware of the foreign population, by age group, type ofindividual organizations, and research the current status andresidency status, and national government, and considering thisissues.

information in their local government plans.

2 The project was carried out

3 Recommendations were also made tothrough late-night online meetings
The survey was conducted by 10 groups in 14 regions. Owing to

26

the large number of groups, we struggled to make progress as

the environment of children with foreign rootsin a wide area

professors, but the only time that worked for the team scattered

the government based on data-driven reports
The wide-area survey by 13 municipalities (14 regions) in threeprefectures was unprecedented and allowed us to conduct
research based on many survey cases. We found that multilingual
mother-child health handbook distribution and home visits tohouseholds with newborns and infants are being implemented
for foreign families, but that there is little multilingual childrearing information in Japan and few interpreters are available
to support infant health checkups. Based on the survey, a report
was prepared and debriefing sessions were held in various
locations. In addition, we were able to make recommendations
to the government and other concerned parties.
We also received feedback from government officials that they
appreciated the data-driven report because they could reflect
its findings in future policies. Although we had felt firsthand thatthe population of foreigners had become multinational and thenumber of births had increased in the area, we thought it was

The completed report was submitted to
Hanako Jimi, Parliamentary Vice‑Minister of
the Cabinet Office. She recommended that thepolicies of the Children and Families Agency
improve support for foreign children.

worthwhile that the survey had identified the actual situation andprovided a basis for making recommendations. We also keenly
felt that although government service programs are available,
many of these services are unfamiliar to foreigners in their home

The report can becountries, which makes it easy for them to be missed areas

read here.

of support because they "cannot ask for assistance they areunaware of". To ensure information reaches them, interpreters
who connect cultural differences are necessary, especially those
who can interpret with basic knowledge related to maternal andchild health, child-rearing support, childcare, and education.
There were differences in attitude in the responses to foreigners
depending on the municipality, and I thought that there werelarge differences in the administrative services available
depending on the area in which one lives.

Kumiko Sakamoto
She is the Representative of the Foreigner
Support / Multicultural Coexistence Net. She
was born in Atami City. She graduated from
Meiji Gakuin University, Faculty of Sociology,
and stayed in Brazil with her family from1993 to 1998. After returning to Japan, shebegan working as a part-time teacher in aninternational classroom at an elementary
school in Suzuka City in 2002, where she wasinvolved in the education of children with foreign
nationalities. Through the children, she keenly
felt that there is no system in Japanese society
to accept foreigners not only in education but
also in life in general. In 2005, she establishedthe NPO Aidensha with the aim of supporting
foreign residents and creating a multiculturalsociety. In July 2019, she established Foreigner
Support / Multicultural Coexistence Net with 12
citizen groups in Aichi, Mie, and Gifu prefecturesand became its representative.

The final report session was held at JICA Chubu. Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services Bureau, JICA Chubu, Aichi Prefecture, Mie

Project Title: Creating a Society Where Anybody Can Give

Prefecture, Toyota City, Inuyama City, Suzuka City, Kameyama City,

Birth and Raise Children without Worries: Investigationand others participated.

4 Wish for the project to benefit the healthy growthof all children living in Japan
Reports on this project were also delivered to the respectiveon Conditions of Foreign Parents Raising Children from
Pregnancy to Pre-school Nurturing
Author: Kumiko Sakamoto, Representative, Network forIntercultural and Inclusive Society
Grant Number: D20-MG-0022

local governments and administrative agencies such as theChildren and Families Agency, the Immigration Services Agency,

Project Abstract

and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, to report on

As the number of foreign workers increases each year, thenumber of residence statuses that allow family members toaccompany them has also increased, resulting in a rise in thenumber of children born in Japan with foreign nationalities.
However, their realities, including the increase in these families
and their children, are not well understood. We conductedsurveys and research in 14 areas of 13 municipalities in three
Tokai prefectures on child-rearing environments for foreign
nationals with multiple languages and cultural backgrounds
and compiled the results in a report.

issues and current conditions in the child-rearing environment
for children with foreign roots in Japan. In addition, theresearchers involved are making research presentations basedon the reports in their respective fields of expertise. The Children
and Families Agency has been established, and measures tosupport the child-rearing of children of foreign nationalities
have been specified. I hope that this report will be used as an
example for the healthy development of all children living inJapan, regardless of nationality.

27

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2020

Spreading Medical Interpretation is a Lifeline
for Accurate Medical Care for Foreigners
Even for Japanese people, many of the words heard in medical institutions are unfamiliar. We can imagine that would
be extremely difficult for a patient with limited Japanese proficiency to listen and respond to medical staff. I will
introduce initiatives to promote medical interpretation to resolve these issues.

At an onsite event for medical
interpreters. Cafe roundtablediscussion among medical
interpreters to share theirexperiences and addressconcerns about OJT.

1 Medical interpreters increasingly important tobackgrounds: Yamada (physician), Minamitani (physician),

provide accurate medical care to foreigners

and Itoigawa (researcher), members of the Ministry of Health,In summer 2020 at the time of the grant application, the Tokyo

Labour and Welfare research group (accreditation and practical

Olympics were postponed until the following year due to theapplication of medical interpretation) from 2015 to 2020;

COVID-19 pandemic.

Matsuzaki (physician), Toho University Faculty of Medicine /Among foreign patients, those residing in Japan account forTokyo Medical Association Foreign Patients Committee member;about 90% of the total. However, the acquisition of JapaneseHori (nurse, midwife), an infection control consultant; Sawada,

language proficiency varies greatly by person, and the medical

CEO of the medical interpretation company mediPhone; Noriko

field is the most challenging setting for foreigners.

Yamada of the Council for Interpreter’s Quality and Competence;

The demographics of foreigners living in Japan is constantly

and Imai (clerical work) and Zheng (medical interpreter), both ofchanging, and young people are now coming from many

Mitsui Memorial Hospital.

countries, especially from Asia. Medical facilities are visited

2 Benefits of the diffusion of online communication

for pregnancy, childbirth, and children's check-ups, in addition
are used from those encountered by foreigners in their daily

and reaffirmation of the importance of face-to-faceinteraction

lives, including the names of diseases. Medical staff have also

Historically, pandemics have been contained after about two

asked for unreasonable accommodations of foreign patients,

years, but COVID-19 lasted for three. That said, this projectsuch as wanting them to understand Japanese because they

conducted an online kick-off symposium, seminars (eight

live in Japan, or wanting them to bring someone (friend, child,times) regarding medical interpreting, a symposium at a relatedetc.) who understands Japanese to the facility. We started theconference in fall 2020, and online on-the-job training (OJT) in

accreditation system for medical interpreters in 2020 based

winter 2020, which confirmed the practicality of online systems.

on the thinking that they are important because incomplete

In fall of 2021, we held a symposium based on the results of OJT

communication is linked directly to the risk of medical accidents.

at a related conference.

In this project, the team comprised diverse occupations and

The acceleration of the online (remote) trend between medical

to occupational injuries. In the medical field, different terms

28interpreters and patients (medical providers) over the past three

Hideomi Yamada

years has been a blessing not only for infection control, but also

Assistant Manager, International Medical Center,
The University of Tokyo Hospitalfor patients, medical providers, and medical interpreters, paving
the path for online training for medical interpreters. Yet, the mostimportant aspect of medical care is face to face, which was
confirmed during an onsite held in May 2022.

Project Title: Road to a diverse society for all patients:
Improving the quality of medical interpreters by
establishing an OJT training system at medical
institutions
A u t h o r : H i d e o m i Ya m a d a , A s s i s t a n t M a n a g e r,
International Medical Center, The University of Tokyo
Hospital
There was a lively exchange of ideas across the room

Grant Number: D20-MG-0028

following the onsite event for medical interpreters.

Project Abstract

3 Each participating member moves toward attaining
the goals of the project
All the participating members were passionate about theimportance of medical interpretation and this project. The
pandemic led us to take on the new challenge of going online,
and by clarifying what can only be obtained at the front lines,

There are many cases of Japanese medical facilities with highhurdles for foreigners with different languages and cultures.
A system for accreditation of medical interpreters to facilitate
medical treatment for foreigners began in March 2020,
but medical interpreters shall require constant learning for
precise and correct interpretation. By establishing training
opportunities and systems in medical institutions, we aim tocreate a symbiotic society that can also protect the health offoreign nationals.

we have found a practice method that is less burdensome forthe medical front lines. We are in the process of exploring theonline potential for experiences that are now only available atthe front lines. In addition, we felt the need to spread awarenessof medical interpretation within medical institutions.
At the same time, we will continue our activities to raise theawareness of the medical community and society through theAwareness and behavior change
through participation in this project

cooperation of our members. One noteworthy example is theappearance on the famous TV program "Jounetsu Tairiku" by

Makoto Matsuzaki, Toho University

Kaori Minamitani, the deputy representative. Please also see theI t w a s D r. Ya m a d a ' s i n v i t a t i o n t h a t l e d t o m ynotes of one of the members, Professor Matsuzaki, at the end ofparticipation in this project. At the same time thethis document.

project started, global pandemic began, making OJT

4 Future outlook

virtually impossible. Although the promotion of theresearch was difficult, it is thanks to the enthusiasm ofNow, the number of foreigners coming to Japan have returned

all research collaborators that we were able to achieve

to pre-COVID levels. During the pandemic, the number of

certain results despite the difficulties we faced. We were

foreigners living in Japan continued to increase, exceeding

also greatly helped by the use of remote conferencing

3 million. It is also common for foreign patients who do not

system, which has made great strides during theunderstand Japanese to come to medical institutions all overpandemic.

the country. Meanwhile, there is still a strong perception on the

In promoting the training, we realized that we, medical

part of medical institutions that "foreign patients are a bother".

professionals, need to know medical interpreters better

There are some innate cultural and medical system differences,rather than simply having them receive OJT at medical

but most of these can be resolved by employing a medical

facilities. So we held a workshop at a medical educationinterpreter. Forcing foreign patients to understand by bodyseminar at an academic society for health profession

language and gestures alone is out of step with the times. It is a

education in Japan with the full cooperation of Dr.

risk to persist with the wrong "accommodations" and "practices

Minamitani, the deputy representative of this project,

out of sync with society" of medical facilities and providers. Thisand other collaborators. I believe it is a breakthroughproject has enabled us to establish a system in which medical

from this research. I would like to make use of theinstitutions throughout Japan can provide appropriate medical

results of this research to foster a better coexistencecare to all patients by utilizing medical interpreters. I'd like towith foreigners in Japan.

express my gratitude for that.

29

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2020

Why is FCE Needed Now?
To ensure that academic credentials and professional backgrounds ofinternational students and foreign nationals are properly recognized
In today's world, where a variety of highly skilled professionals and students move across national borders, the proper
evaluation of educational backgrounds and academic qualifications obtained in other countries is essential to attract
talented personnel. This report introduces our joint research to establish proper evaluation standards in Japan.

SIIEJ 2022 (Summer
Institute on International
Education, Japan) heldat Kansai University.
A joint workshop washeld by connecting
online with UNESCO's
Bangkok office and otherorganizations.

1 FCE essential to the global competition for talentForeign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a system for evaluating

comprising diverse practitioners

foreign academic records and qualifications. There are

Japan seems to have become unattractive destinations for talents p e c ia liz e d FCE in s titutio ns and ex pert staff m emb e r s

or students who have acquired certain skills and qualifications

dedicated to evaluation in Europe, North America, and Australia.

in other countries. We, the project members, share a sense of

Unfortunately, FCE is not commonly exercised as an expertise

crisis about this. In addition to researchers working on FCEs, thein Japan despite the large number of international students

project members include representatives from the Roundtable on

and foreign residents in the country. With the global trend of

the Acceptance of Foreign Human Resources, the Platform forincreasing immigrants and students coming across borders, what

the Acceptance of Responsible Foreign Workers as well as thehappens if the education, work experience, and qualifications

National Federation of Consumer and Industrial Organizationsof those graduating from college in their home countries or with

(Seidanren), which proposes the development of a systemprofessional experience as accountants, nurses, etc. are notto accept "foreigners as consumers". Also participating areproperly evaluated? Their accumulated experience, skills, andrepresentatives of Nepalese residents in Japan and WELgee, anknowledge are adequately not utilized, resulting in a mismatch

NPO that promotes career support for refugees.

between their abilities and the work they do.

30

2 Sharing awareness of issues among members

I have seen a case of a Nigerian university graduate working

3 The FCE situation overseas

at construction sites as trainee. Even if he could speak some

FCE has been rolled out to facilitate international educational

Japanese, the chance of him being hired in Japan as university

connections at universities and other institutions of higher

graduate in white-collar position is likely to be quite low.

education to support the smooth mobility of human resources

Conversely, I have seen many cases of Japanese registeredand students across national borders. For example, a person

nurses, studying English for a while in Australia, and thenwho has studied accounting for two years in Country A andstarting to work as nurses there. In other words, in Japan,transfers to a third year course in accounting at a university inwhere FCE is not functioning, there is no established system

Country B, or a person who has graduated from a bachelor's

to evaluate and accept people with a certain level of education

degree program in mechanical engineering in Country C andand qualifications, so the country loses talent to those where thematriculates to a graduate school in Country D, will be evaluated

FCE system is functioning.

to determine at what level their academic background isequivalent to the educational system in the host country.

adopted in part to evaluate international students.

There are specialized FCE institutions in Europe, North America,

In our project, we conducted a comparative study of FCE

Australia, and New Zealand. Their professional staff in charge

systems of Canada and Australia, which are among the countriesof evaluation are familiar with each country's education system,that accept many immigrants. In fiscal 2022, an online seminar

grading standards, and National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

for FCE practitioners was held at the pre-event of the Summer

The knowledge and expertise required of FCE professional staff

Institute on International Education, Japan (SIIEJ). At the SIIEJ

has become more advanced owing to the recent increase in themain conference (held at Kansai University), a workshop on FCE

number of complex cases, such as people who have studied

practical application was held by the Toronto office of the World

high school courses while moving between several countries,

Education Service (WES), a North American FCE organization,

those receiving homeschooling or with other non-traditional

and a representative invited from the FCE department of theeducational backgrounds, and refugees who have completed

Australian government.

higher education but do not have or are unable to obtain formal

Subsequently, in Japan, the needs of (1) foreign residents who

certificates.

are in the process of applying for refugee status in Japan were

While many countries have already developed FCEs that utilize

surveyed. (2) We are conducting a needs assessment survey ofdigitalized certificates of academic records (e.g., diplomas and

Nepalese residents of Japan and compiling a report. These two

academic transcripts), Japan lags far behind in the digitization ofsurveys focused on specific groups of foreign residents.

certification documents.

By the end of this project, we plan to publish the results of oursurveys on the career development needs of foreign residents,
which will lead to specific action plans and advocacy of newpolicies.

National Qualifications Framework (NQF) assessment benchmarks
in Australia. A doctoral degree is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10
being the highest.
Source: Government of Australia

Shingo Ashizawa
He is Vice President and a Professor of the
Department of Global Communication at Kansai
University of International Studies. He studied
at Harvard Graduate School of Education as a
Fulbright Scholar (Ed.M Master of Education). He
has been in his current position since 2022 afterworking at Keio University, Osaka University,
Meiji University, and Toyo University.

Project Title: Strategic Approaches for a Social
Infrastructure to Invite Foreign Human Capital:
Establishing a Japanese Qualification Framework (JQF)
and Utilizing Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) Systems
Author: Shingo Ashizawa, Vice President and Professor,
Department of Global Communication, Kansai University
Examples of sites selling fraudulent diplomas and credentials

of International Studies

Source: World Education Services

Grant Number: D20-MG-0072
Project Abstract

4 What's needed to accept foreigners with skills
and knowledge
FCEs have grown in use for those studying in higher education
institutions across borders. However, in Canada and Australia,
which accept many immigrants, it is actively used to assess theacademic records and qualifications of not only international

We believe it is appropriate to incorporate the FCE system into
Japan's social infrastructure for people with academic records
and qualifications obtained in foreign countries to have theirbackgrounds properly evaluated. The project aims to present a
prototype of FCE certification and a digital certification modelby surveying actual cases of people from Nepal living in Japan
as well as those applying for refugee status. Furthermore, atthe final stage of the project, we plan to advocate for new
policies for the effective use of the FCE concept.
Project website: http://gccpj.recsie.or.jp/

students, but also those who immigrate as professional workers.
Unfortunately, the FCE system has not been introduced in Japanfor the evaluation of workers, although it is beginning to be

31

2021

32

Grant List FY2021
Prototyping Financial Inclusion System for Financially Excluded Foreign Residents Based on
Participatory Research for Financial Exclusion of Foreign Residents in Japan / D21-MG-0014
Tetsuo Kato, CEO, REEP Foundation
Survey on the Actual Conditions of Employment of Refugees Living in the Tokai Region and Efforts to
Improve Their Working Environment / D21-MG-0016
Maho Hadano, Coordinator, Door to Asylum Nagoya (DAN)
Co-Creation Platform for Evidence Based Migration Policy Making / D21-MG-0017
Ryo Kambayashi, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Musashi University
Establishing a Multilingual Consultation Desk Network for Foreign Human Resource Inclusion in a PostCorona Society and Developing a System for Training Professional Human Resources / D21-MG-0028
Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit Corporation Resource Center for Multicultural Community Tokai / Project Representative:
Yoshihiko Doi, Representative Director, Same organization as Rie Kuriki

Issues and Measures for Human Resource Development of ASEAN Engineers Working in Japan / D21MG-0039
Yuri Sadoi, Professor, Meijo University
Research and Analysis of Changes in Mindset and Behavior of International Students and Human
Resources in Companies Through Mutual Mentoring and Systematization of Training Model / D21MG-0042
Yu Shinagawa, CEO & Founder, An-Nahal Inc.
Development and Dissemination of a Multi-lingual Online Health and Wellbeing Information
Crowdsourcing Platform by a Multinational Team - Towards Equitable Access to Healthcare / D21MG-0045
Russell Miller, Visiting Scientist, Department of Community and Global Health, The University of Tokyo

33

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Seeking to Change the Unfavorable Financial Treatment
of Foreigners in Japan
In Japan, with a declining birthrate and aging population, foreigners are active in many areas, contributing to theeconomy and regional revitalization. However, there are issues with their current financial treatment, and I believe ascheme to resolve these issues would be beneficial to both foreigners and Japanese society.

Rino Senlewa (right)
operates a coffee shop
in Matsudo. With RumikoIshigami of Matsudo
Tankentai Himitsu-do,which helped him open
the business.

1 Foreign residents with outstanding talent
are active in local communities

based on a brief look at their personalities and how they are

An Indonesian who has become a part of the community

active in Japan. Japanese growing up in Japan have little

development of Matsudo City. A Nepalese who opened anunderstanding of how they were able to obtain what is "scarceinternational school in Metropolitan Tokyo. A Thai couple who

resource of higher education" in their home countries, how muchprovides Thai vegetables grown in Ibaraki to Thai restaurants,

effort they spent adapting to Japanese lifestyles and continuing

which has become one of the staple cuisines in Japan. A young

renew residency status, and how these leaders who have mademan of Brazilian roots in Hamamatsu who works as a firefighter...

it through all this can be supported by a network centered in

Their talents go beyond using their language skills to serve as atheir home countries.

bridge between Japan and other countries.

The environment for the true expression of their talents within

I would like to introduce the case of Rino Senlewa, who cameJapanese society remains inadequate. The question we posed

to run a coffee shop in Matsudo after meeting with a leader inin this project was what kind of financial environment should be

Matsudo's community development. The coffee he roasts is so

provided for foreigners like them, who are expected to become

wonderful I heard that he has not only established a system to

new leaders of Japanese society, to live in Japan and continue

ship coffee beans directly from Indonesia, but also runs and isplaying an active role.

expanding his own coffee farm in his hometown.

2 Turned away at the door and interest rate gaps:

Meanwhile, Nepal native Bhupal Man Shrestha publishes a34

It is probably difficult to correctly judge their talents simply

newspaper for the constantly growing Nepali community.

A double-layered wall blocking good foreigners’ success

Furthermore, in light of the increasing number of NepaleseWith the support of the Toyota Foundation, we were able tochildren, he opened an international school in Asagaya, Tokyo.

implement a full-scale survey for this project. We surveyed

He is not only trying to provide a bridge based on education toseveral hundred foreign residents and interviewed both lenders

his home country and Japan, but also to nurture the youth whoand borrowers.

will go on to become global leaders.

What we confirmed as a conclusion of the survey was theunfortunate trend of private financial institutions refusing tolend to foreign residents. To be precise, the reality is that banks
cannot lend to foreign residents without permanent residency orJapanese citizenship.
Furthermore, it became clear that even when foreigners wereable to take out loans, they were forced to pay higher interest
rates than Japanese borrowers. An interest rate gap of about
1% exists even when borrowing from a bank, while if consumer
loans and credit card loans are used, they are forced to accessfinancing at interest rates as high as about 3%. We need criticalanalysis, but based on interest rates for Japanese nationals,
the interest rates offered to foreign residents are at premiums of
about 33% for bank loans and about 58% for consumer loans,etc. Needless to say, this gap in interest rates divides the future
for both parties.
For foreign residents, if they are unable to borrow money whensomething unforeseen happens, they will not simply be stuck intheir lives, but will also be prevented from renewing their visas or
obtaining permanent residency.
When we asked about the situation of lenders side during
the exchange of opinions, the common view among financial
institutions was that they can lend funds only until the expiration

Coffee beans imported directly from Indonesia served at MAHAMERU
COFFEE in Matsudo. Visitors are welcomed with an intense aroma
as if you were savoring it at the local farm.

date of the visa renewal, and that even if the loan applicant
had income, almost all would be ineligible for a loan without
permanent residence status.
The inability to lend funds to foreign residents, despite many ofthem earning stable incomes, is an opportunity loss for financial
institutions and an area where a new financial model is needed.

3 A fair scheme is needed for good foreigner residents
A Canadian study (BMO Financial Group, 2021) conducted
before this project found that foreigners who immigrated to
Canada lost almost half their savings in the process of migration.
Moreover, two-thirds of foreigners send regular remittances totheir home countries.

Tetsuo Kato
CEO of REEP Foundation. He was born in Osaka
City in 1980. He started to work on solvingsocial problems after the death of a friend
when he entered a dormitory for children.
He established the REEP Foundation afterparticipating in the recovery from the Great East
Japan Earthquake. Widely known as a specialist
on social investment, he was selected by AERA
magazine as one of "100 Japanese Who Will
Win in Asia". Author of "Changing the World
from the Bottom” (Diamond, Inc. 2011).

In other words, some kind of financial investment is essential
for migration and indigenization, and someone living with themneeds to lend them a hand.
That is exactly why we seek to provide a fair financial
environment for good foreign residents, as mentioned in the
introduction. We plan for this to be either direct loans at low
interest rates to foreign residents or the development of aguarantee scheme.
We believe it is not fair that foreign nationals cannot open
bank accounts or are unnecessarily disadvantaged in terms ofinterest rates and guarantees because they are not Japanese or
have difficulty with Japanese language skills. If there are goodforeigners, we aim to create a society that is willing to provide
loans and credit to them.

Project Title: Prototyping financial inclusion system
for financially excluded foreign residents based onparticipatory research for financial exclusion of foreign
residents in Japan
Author: Tetsuo Kato, CEO, REEP Foundation
Grant Number: D21-MG-0014
Project Abstract
This proposal suggests conducting a comprehensive survey
and publishing a “White Paper on Financial Exclusion of
Foreign Residents in Japan” (tentative name). The project aims
to develop and verify a prototype of a low-interest loan or
guarantee scheme for foreign residents based on the survey
results.

35

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Viewing Refugees as Latent Foreign Human Resources
and Working to Resolve Their Issues
Foreign refugees have come to Japan for various reasons and are unable to return to their home countries. I will
introduce this project's initiatives to improve the working environment in Japan for them as human resources, whileembracing their situations and concerns.

A roundtable discussion
conducted with Muslim
women. They shared thechallenges of working inJapan.

1 Background of project launch
and two-year schedule36

2 Issues revealed through interviews with refugees
A total of 16 refugees were interviewed about their work

Following Tokyo, the Tokai region has the second largest number

experiences in Japan, and their issues can be broadlyof refugee applicants in Japan. Approximately eight months after

categorized as follows.

applying for refugee status, the majority of refugee applicants(1) Lack of appropriate support

are permitted to work in Japan. Furthermore, after applying for(2) Unable to get the job sought due to lack of Japaneseand being granted refugee status or permitted to stay in Japan

language skills or unstable status of residence

for humanitarian reasons ("humanitarian consideration"), they(3) Prejudice and discrimination against refugees and foreigners

will live in Japan for the long term. Therefore, those who have(4) Differences in culture and customs

fled to Japan as refugees can also be considered latent "foreign(5) Inability to depict a vision for the future of living as a refugee

human resources."in Japan / Lack of motivation for self-actualization

On the other hand, there is no government support for the

The unimaginable experiences of those forced to flee their home

employment of refugees, and support for recognized persons

countries, and the various barriers they encountered in Japan,

is limited to the Kanto region. This project brought together awhere they fled to, and the discrimination and troubles they

team who share a common awareness of the issues, including

suffered were brought to light. This made me realize that this is

citizens' groups such as the Door to Asylum Nagoya (DAN),

not a problem that can be solved overnight. For example, somerefugees who have received refugee status or humanitarian

interviewees said there was a lack of understanding in theirconsideration in Japan, and companies and foreign employment

workplaces about refugees. Ms. F, who is from the Middle East,

support workers who have experience in employing refugees.

was told by her manager that her weak Japanese skills were

The first year of the two-year project was spent on interviewsa problem and that "If you came to Japan to work, you shouldwith refugees, companies that have experience in hiring

speak Japanese."

foreign nationals, including refugees, and their employment

When she explained, "I didn't come here to work, "I'm a

support organizations. The second year will be used to test

refugee." She was apparently told, "What's a refugee?"various action plans that will lead to solutions to the issues that

In addition, regarding the issue of status of residence, most of

emerged.

the respondents had difficulty finding work under the visa status

of Designated Activities (six months, referred to as "DesignatedActivities visa for six months") while applying for refugee status.
On the other hand, an advisor to the project commented, "TheDesignated Activities visa for six months has no restrictions on
employment, which is a significant advantage for companies.
Moreover, when we communicate about the fact that many
refugees have a variety of skills, we get interest, especiallyfrom companies that are suffering from a shortage of humanresources." Another advisor commented that if the risks of hiring
refugees were overcome, they would be less likely to be turnedPeer support with those grantedaway.

refugee status several years ago

Through these discussions, we shared the awareness thata n d w h o h a v e re c e n t l y b e e n

we must work on bridging this gap between refugees andgranted status.

companies. Toward this end, we are currently preparing
explanatory materials on refugees for companies, booklets on
employment for refugees, and accompanying refugees on job
interviews, etc.

3 For a society where refugees can live
as their authentic selves
In response to the question, "What are your criteria for choosing
a job?", Mr. H from Africa replied, "I don't work in a job that I am
passionate about like you all do, I work simply to survive, without
knowing what the job is about. I had a business in my homecountry. Now I'm simply working for the money. In Japan, there
are no opportunities for jobs that I can be passionate about." A
refugee project member who heard this pointed out, "Japan's

A seminar on working in Japan given by staff from the
Employment Service Center at a local mosque.

refugee assistance focuses on emergency support. Yet, refugees
need more support to realize their dreams and aspirations froma long-term perspective."

Maho Hadano

Mr. A, a native of Asia and a nearly 30-year resident of Japan,

Maho Hadano is the coordinator of Door to
Asylum Nagoya (DAN). She spent several
years abroad during elementary school which
motivated her later in life to become an advocate
for asylum seekers and refugees. After entering
university, she became more attuned to theasylum seekers in Japan and has run Japanese
language classes, interpreted during legal
consultations and translated documents to besubmitted for refugee applications. She has been
involved with DAN since its founding in 2012.

is currently in a managerial position at his company. He
commented, "I’m always thinking about the kind of life I wantto live. There are some things I can't do, but I have worked
diligently to figure out what I can." His words indicated to me
that he has been working hard while envisioning "a step further
into the future." In the second year of this project, we are also
providing peer support for those who have lived as recognizedrefugees for many years and those who have recently beenrecognized. We hope that these activities will help refugees whowill settle in Japan in the future to have dreams and hopes.
What we can do is to carefully interact with each refugee at thegrassroots level and work to bridge the gap between refugees
and companies and local governments to help resolve their

Project Title: Survey on the actual conditions ofissues. And I believe that we must steadily accumulate a track

employment of refugees living in the Tokai region andrecord person by person. Now in the second year, we are

efforts to improve their working environment

focusing on creating tools and networking for this purpose, in

Author: Maho Hadano, Coordinator, Door to Asylum

the hope that these activities will eventually lead to changes in

Nagoya (DAN)

the system and people's awareness.

Grant Number: D21-MG-0016
Project Abstract
From the perspective that refugees are foreign humanresources, staff of the Door to Asylum Nagoya, which has been
supporting refugees living in the Tokai area for many years, andrefugees who have been granted refugee status or permission
to stay in Japan for humanitarian reasons, have teamed up to
listen carefully to the voices of those who have been granted
refugee or humanitarian status, those who have applied forrefugee status, and those involved in their employment.

37

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Analyzing and Presenting Data-Driven Recommendations
on the Issues of Foreign Technical Intern Trainees
Unlike refugees, which are an issue in other countries, acceptance in Japan is proceeding in a manner that reflects theintentions of the companies and governments that accept foreign nationals. The following is an introduction of thisproject's initiatives to achieve sustainable acceptance in situations where individual circumstances are difficult togeneralize.

A scene from a firstcalligraphy of the New Year
event to promote internal
communication at a company
that accepts foreign
nationals and was a researchsubject. Photo credit:
Aioidenshikougyou Co.,
Ltd. (Koza-gun, Kanagawa
Prefecture)

1 Insufficient academic research,
unaligned researchers

practical work, and those involved in historical research, which

I think that many among the public are interested in how

would not normally be possible.

foreigners live in Japan. Many researchers have long been

2 Issues that came to light at various front lines

interested in this area, as a certain number of them havethemselves lived as foreigners in other countries. However, the38interested in the diversity of local communities, those involved inand through surveys

lack of data (there are virtually no government statistics to help

The purpose of this research was to conduct a follow-up

understand the reality faced by foreigners) and the issues ofsurvey of Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) trainees. In

Korean residents in Japan are unavoidable when researching

preparing and executing the survey, the process of accumulating

foreigners. Therefore, researchers did not form large groups

peripheral knowledge was continued through preliminary

to pursue their research, but rather, individual researchers

analysis using government statistics, field tours, and interviews

continued their own research in their field of study in a small

with concerned parties. At that time, the diversity of those who

numbers. Compared to Europe and the United States, where

accept foreigners was discussed the most among us. This infers

immigration research is more popular, research on foreigners in

not only that there are foreigners with various visa statuses, but

Japan has not been as robust. Incidentally, the term "foreigners"

also that the level of awareness of the accepting side varies

has become increasingly diverse, with an increase in the number

widely depending on the region, industry, and scale of theof foreign-born Japanese, foreign students, and technical intern

technical intern training. Put differently, we have come as grouptrainees, as well as those from non-Kanji cultures. Particularly

to have a common recognition of the risks of lumping together

since the Lehman Brothers collapse, the need to organize in atechnical intern training.

more general framework has increased both in research and from

Questionnaires conducted by our research group indeed varya general interest perspective. Therefore, researchers beganin accuracy, but most are designed assuming a certain degree

to recruit people with similar interests, although mainly withinof logical hypothesis. This makes it less suitable for exploratory

the scope of their own networks, and our research group was

tasks, such as gathering information anyway despite lacking

one of the first formed. Just as the overriding trend in the social

knowledge. That said, there is no end to the concerns about

sciences was growing awareness of the need for data-driven

which hypothesis to design a questionnaire form should

discussions, we were able to form a group of people who wereassume, and that is not going to be resolved now. Under suchcircumstances, it is necessary to put aside the fact that thebased on theoretical thinking and a third-party perspective in the

problem is already multifaceted. Yet I believe that it is because

Japanese labor market and on the front lines of education. That

we have been unable to sufficiently abstract the intrinsic

said, since communication is centered on specific motivations

problems occurring in the lives of foreigners in Japanese society.

on the front lines, it becomes difficult to share evaluations andimprovement measures from a higher perspective. I believe
this perspective is also effective in interpreting the problem of
accepting foreigners. Normally, the motives are clear, so even if
a problem arises, the path to a solution is relatively obvious andstress is not that great. However, with the TITP, there are notablecases where friction becomes excessive when there is a gap
between the "objective" opinion from an outside perspective andthe actual front lines.
Our research group's emphasis on data-driven discussions isJapanese classes held after arrival
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The course was conducted in
the most effective way possible,

not simply a matter of following academic trends but stems fromthe belief that it can lead to the elimination of friction caused bysuch miscommunication.

such as setting up partitionsin the class or via Zoom fromaccommodations. Photo credit:
Worlding Inc.

Ryo Kambayashi

Wearing matching shirts with company names while participating
in a Sagami River cleanup as part of the community. Striving toconserve the environment as one of its residents. Photo credit:
Aioidenshikougyou Co., Ltd. (Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture)

3 Where does stress lie on the front lines?

He is a professor of Faculty of Economics at
Musashi University. He graduated from theFaculty of Economics, the University of Tokyo,
and completed his doctorate in the Graduate
School of Economics at the same institution. He
has served as an associate professor at Tokyo
Metropolitan University, a visiting fellow at
Stanford University's Department of Economics,
and a professor at Institute of Economic
Research, Hitotsubashi University, before
assuming his current position in 2023. His major
publications include "Seiki no Sekai, Hi-seiki
no Sekai - Gendai Nihon Roudou Keizai-gakuno Kihon Mondai (The Worlds of Permanent/
Part-time Employment - Fundamental Issues
in Contemporary Japanese Labor Economics)"(Keio University Press, 2017) and "Mohougata Keizai no Yakushin to Ashibumi - Sengo
no Nihon Keizai o Furikaeru" (The Advance andStalling of the Imitative Economy: Reflecting on
the Postwar Japanese Economy" (co-authored)(Nakanishiya Shuppan, 2010).

My personal view is that the immaturity of academic researchstems from the acceptance of foreigners in Japan in recent years
being exceptionally "intentional." Usually, foreign immigration
is dominated by people who are immigrating, and it is often
depicted as an unstoppable wave crashing over the government
and the accepting parties. Not only the immigration from Africa
to EU countries, which has been widely reported on in Japan,
but also the immigration to North America in the past arearchetypical examples. On the other hand, the technical interntraining and study abroad programs, which are now a major
segment of the foreign population in Japan, are systematicallycharacterized as a strong reflection of the intentions of theaccepting parties, namely employers and schools. In this case,the individual intent of each acceptance is clear, and the front
lines are less concerned about trying to understand the overallsituation of foreigners. Moreover, when policymakers respect
the opinions of the front lines, no one attempts to sort out the

Project Title: Co-Creation Platform for Evidence Based
Migration Policy Making
Au t h o r : Ryo Ka m baya s h i , Professo r, Fa c u lty of
Economics, Musashi University
Grant Number: D21-MG-0017
Project Abstract
The purpose of this project is to conduct a large-scale followup panel survey for three years for presenting an overall pictureof technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers as"residents" and "workers." Furthermore, through industrygovernment-academia-citizen co-creation forums and otherdialogues, we aim to make evidence-based recommendations
on how to accept technical intern trainees and specified skilled
foreign human resources in a sustainable manner.

overall situation and mechanisms of foreigners. And as a result,problems are less likely to be shared by society at large.
This is similar to the fact that it is difficult to design systems

39

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Collaboration between Multilingual Consultation Desks
and Welfare-Related Desks and Professional Skill
Development of Counselors
Multilingual consultation desks are important sites for connecting foreign residents with their local communities. It
has become clear, however, that it is vital for these desks collaborate with welfare-related desks to address to thecomplex and diverse consultation needs of foreign residents in detail.

Face-to-face training
was held on the themeof collaboration between
multilingual consultation
desks and welfare-related
desks.

1 Background to the project

2 Findings from the survey of welfare-related desks

In the multilingual consultation desk survey conducted in FY2020

First, we conducted a fact-finding survey of welfare-related(see QR code), one of the roles of the multilingual consultation

desks in Aichi Prefecture. We found that there are many welfare-desk was to "connect counselees to specialist institutions" andrelated desks, and the fields they cover are diverse. The creation

it was pointed out that "with whom and how to collaborate"of the survey form was also a difficult task, as we had towas important. It also became apparent that while collaboration

determine where to send it, what questions to ask, and so on.

between local governments and international associations

We conducted interviews with welfare-related staff. With theirand collaboration with educational organizations are relatively

advice, we prepared three types of survey forms and delivered

advanced, there is little collaboration with welfare-related

them to related departments: one for persons in charge ofcontacts. Many of the consultations received at the multilingual

community welfare planning, one for persons in charge ofconsultation desks are welfare-related, and due to COVID-19

consultation services, and one for the social welfare councils.

pandemic, it has become vital for the welfare-related desks to

Unfortunately, the response rate did not increase as much assupport foreign residents. As such, we decided to conduct a

we anticipated. We regret that the reason for this may have

survey and training on the theme of collaboration with welfare-been that we sent the survey without prior notice and without

related desks, asking the members who are familiar with welfare

first having established an ongoing relationship with them. In

to join us.

addition, we also realized that the names of desks and the duties
under their jurisdiction differ by municipality, making it difficult
The report on a survey of multilingual consultation
desks nationwide conducted in FY2020 as partof the "Strengthening Project of a Multilingual

for foreign residents who often relocate, to know where to go for
consultations.
Nevertheless, from the survey results, we were able to identify

Consultation Service System Through Public-

such trends as: "Many consultation desks receive consultations

Private Partnerships".

from foreign residents," "Multilingual consultation desks are nothttps://note.com/mrct/n/n5ef88a784c9f

well known," "Many specialists are assigned full-time at welfarerelated desks," and "Language is a major issue as well as issues
related to systems and underlying cultural differences unique to40

foreign residents". Based on these results, we plan to study how

to grasp the actual situation and demonstrate the reason for

multilingual consultation desks can collaborate with welfare-being of consultation desks.

related desks.

Consultation desks are an important site for connecting foreign

3 Training sessions with participation of staff

residents with their local communities. In particular, multilingual
consultation desks have accumulated knowledge and know-

in charge of welfare-related consultation desks

how concerning foreign residents. Through this project, I have

As in the previous year, training was conducted with combination

again realized that if they can collaborate with welfare-relatedof on-demand, online, and face-to-face formats. On-demand

consultation desks, detailed consultation services can be offeredcontent can now be viewed in seven languages (Japanese,

to foreign residents who have complex and diverse problems.

Portuguese, English, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Nepali),

I would like to further promote the project through discussions

more languages than before.

with our members to create a multicultural community.

This time, we publicized our content not only to counselors at
multilingual consultation desks, but also to those at welfarerelated desks. Even for consultation on the same topic, acounselor at a multilingual consultation desk and a counselor ata welfare-related desk respond to the counselees differently. One*Welfare-related consultation desk survey

respondent commented, "Counselors at multilingual consultation

https://note.com/mrct/n/ne87d816a698c

desks think first about where to connect the counselee to,whereas those at welfare-related desks think about how to solve
the problem". We believe it is important for counselors with suchdifferences to understand each other and build face-to-facerelationships through training.
After the first training sessions (held in April–May 2023), someparticipants said that the online course should be divided into
one for multilingual consultation desks and the other for welfarerelated desks. Based on this feedback, the second sessions(scheduled for January–February 2024) will feature different
online courses tailored to the target audience.

Rie Kuriki
She is the Director of the NPO Resource
Center for Multicultural Community Tokai. She
was the former Director of the International
Exchange and Multicultural Society Division,
Aichi International Association. In addition to
being involved in multicultural co-existence,
international understanding education, Japanese
language education, and volunteer training, she
was seconded to the EXPO2005 Aichi Volunteer
Center, where she coordinated and trained
30,000 volunteers for the expo. Since leavingthat position, she has conducted research on
multicultural co-existence at a graduate school,
worked as a program officer for a foundation,and served as a part-time lecturer at a university.

Training on how to respond during consultations
conducted through role-playing

Project Title: Establishing a Multilingual Consultation
Desk Network for Foreign Human Resource Inclusion
in a Post-Corona Society and Developing a System for4 Next steps
The results of this year's survey have also been compiled into areport posted on our website*.
Based on the results of the two surveys, including the previous
project, we will further study the role of multilingual consultation
desks in the community and how collaboration should be. We
would like to discuss linkages with NPOs and NGOs as well aswith welfare-related desks.
Regarding training, we will continue to improve the current
training format and content while listening to feedback fromparticipants and will also consider training not only for newly
appointed staff but also for veteran counselors.

Training Professional Human Resources
Author: Rie Kuriki, Director, Specified Nonprofit
Co r p o ra t i o n Reso u rce Ce n te r fo r M u lt i c u lt u ra l
Community Tokai
Grant Number: D21-MG-0028
Project Abstract
This project is a continuation of the project implemented
in FY2020–2021. The project reviewed the multilingual
consultation desk network and sought collaboration withrelated organizations. In particular, the project aimed
to develop a model training program to foster the skills
counselors need to be recognized as specialists. This year's
survey and training were conducted with a particular focus oncollaboration with welfare-related desks.

The survey results also revealed an issue that is difficult forthis project to address, namely, "improving the treatment ofcounselors and interpreters." However, we believe it is important41

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

What Is Japan’s Role in ASEAN in the Intensifying Race for IT Talent?
In terms of overseas engineers, Japan used to be a country where "if you wait, they will come." However, due todramatic changes, such as the yen's depreciation, compensation, and labor environment, Japan is struggling tocompete for IT talent on a global scale. We have summarized the learnings and insights gained through the project.

At a working-level meeting
between Meijo University
and HTVJ of Vietnam.

1 A scene from the project start-up
and conducting research

location that many from Asian countries have longed to visit.
But when I actually went to those countries, I found that there

Our team consisted of Japanese researching human resource

is fierce competition among Taiwan, South Korea, Europe,development in Asia and professors from major universities

the U.S., and neighboring ASEAN countries for acceptance ofin Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar who have been

workers. I am keenly aware of the need for the government to

involved in such research. Activities began in fiscal 2022 andfurther improve the working environment and for companies

are already making steady progress, including in the fourto strengthen their post-employment management systems tocountries mentioned as being in scope. Foreign engineers living

make Japan a more attractive destination than before.

in Japan were interviewed mainly by the Japanese members.
As for engineers living abroad, surveys were conducted anddata collected by survey teams from Japan working together
with local members. We were only unable to visit the Myanmar
due to the social unrest there, so we conducted joint surveys
with Myanmarese members who came to Japan as well as
implementing online interviews and classes.

2 Key issues that were noticed
during the research process
The following six key issues emerged as the project research
progressed.
1) Attractiveness as a labor accepting country
The number of foreign workers in Japan has been increasing
in recent years, partly due to the Vietnamese government's
strengthening of its outbound labor policies. Japan is a work

42

With representatives of Information Technology Manpower Joint
Stock Company (ITM) and Hanoi University of Business andTechnology (HUBT) of Vietnam. The author is second from the left.

2) Review of the immigration systemcompanies. In fact, this has given hope to Myanmar's youth, in a

When we conducted a survey on the attitudes of ASEAN

country where university functions were halted by the coup two

engineers, when asked what they consider important whenyears ago and has seen a surge in the number of private schools

working for a company, they responded that benefits, includingthat help students pass the ITPEC exam. Since there are only

living assistance, paid vacations, remote work, and other work

six ITPEC member countries outside Japan, a future goal is toarrangements, were given high importance along with job

further expand the membership.

type and salary. The technical internship system, introduced
in 1993 to accept overseas human resources, has frequently

5) Need for practical Japanese language education

been criticized for its working conditions, deviating from its

Japanese language education for foreign human resources

original purpose in some cases. At present, the government isseeking employment in Japan is also in increasing demand. Yet,

expected to ease the conditions and conduct a pilot programfrom the viewpoint of an actual instructor, I feel that the emphasis

in fall 2023 to promote the transition to the specified skillson acquiring the JLPT qualification, which is the evaluation

system introduced in 2019 to secure the workforce. Althoughstandard, has led to a bias toward memorization and results in a

it is somewhat late, it is important to appreciate the fact thatlack of the conversational skills that are important in the actual

this is being taken up as an important issue and to lobby the

workplace. Aside from interviews, smooth conversational ability

government to ensure that overseas human resources can work

is essential for post-hiring training, meetings, emails, and otherin a healthy manner.

daily work, so I feel we need to enhance instruction for suchskills.

3) Local entrepreneurship applying experience gained fromworking in Japan

6) Expansion of research activities to Sri Lanka

I visited three manufacturing companies, three IT companies,

Sri Lanka is a country outside both ASEAN and ITPEC

and four human resource development companies as examples

membership, but is of interest as a research subject. Lanka

of ventures that were successfully started by Vietnamese in

Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI), founded by Japanese IT

their home country after working in Japan. I learned that atcompany Metatechno Inc. and the only educational institution

manufacturing companies, copying and implementing Japanesein Sri Lanka for training IT engineers for Japan, received

methods in production, quality control, etc., is one of theirgovernment approval as a four-year university in 2022. We planstrengths and leads to carving out new markets. I also found thatto follow up on this as a new avenue of activity with the potential

IT companies can leverage the networks and Japanese language

to solve Japan's IT-related labor shortage.

skills acquired during their time in Japan to increase theirbusiness earnings by remotely targeting Japanese companies
that are promoting DX as their main customers.
This research was subsequently continued to survey 10
successful local manufacturing companies, in collaboration
between local members in Vietnam and Japan. All of themincorporate the strengths of the Japanese system, but they arealso agile and dynamic. I feel that the environment is becoming
one in which local engineers can fully develop and demonstrate
their skills in their home countries.

Yuri Sadoi
She is a professor of economics at Meijo University.
She was born in Kyoto City. She graduated from
Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Departmentof English. After working in the Human Resources
Development Department of Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation, she received a master's degree ininternational relations from Washington University
and a doctorate (Ph.D) from the Graduate
School of Human and Environmental Studies,
Kyoto University. She joined Meijo University in2004 following four years as a researcher at theInternational Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) in
the Netherlands. She specializes in development
economics and Asian economics.

Project Title: Issues and Measures for Human Resource
Development of ASEAN Engineers Working in Japan
Author: Yuri Sadoi, Professor, Meijo University
Grant number: D21-MG-0039
Project Abstract
Visit to companies that have adopted the Japanese methods
and are growing their businesses in Vietnam.

4) Enhancement of ITPECThe Information Technology Professional Examination Council(ITPEC), which was established by Japan to attract IT engineers

On the one hand, Japan is suffering from a shortage ofworkers, while on the other, ASEAN countries are promoting
human resource development for Japanese companies. The
development of human resources for engineers was anticipatedto proceed smoothly, with the interests of both parties inalignment. But due to the political trends in each country andthe impact of economic volatility in Japan, it is still a work inprogress. This project studies the real issues from both sides of
ASEAN and Japan. It considers and proposes the optimizationof human resource utilization.

from Asia, provides a qualification equivalent to a university
degree to those who pass its Asian Common Examination. This
paves the way for employment as an engineer in Japanese43Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Mentoring Changes Barriers to Foreign Human Resources’ Success,Not Just Language
As the world competes for highly skilled personnel, it is essential to have inclusive organizations to unite a diverse
workforce and achieve high performance. I will introduce some of the lessons learned from our programs withinternational students and businesspeople from Japanese companies.

Each participant shared
their story at the beginningof the program during
self-introductions.

1 Toward a society where diverse human resources
collaborate

resolve the issue that the mindset and management skills on

I founded An-Nahal in 2019 with the goal of increasing thethe Japanese side are a hindrance to their acceptance andnumber of inclusive organizations with a diverse workforce.

entrenchment in organizations. Toward this end, we launched

We are working to promote diversity and inclusion in Japanese

the Cross-Cultural Mentoring Program (MILE), which is the basis

society in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, basedof our research.

on three project pillars: training inclusive leaders, supporting the

2 Forming teams that allow for multifaceted

creation of inclusive organizations, and testing hypotheses andsharing case studies through industry-government-academia

44

resource side, such as language acquisition, we wanted toconsiderations

collaboration.

The Cross-Cultural Mentoring Program (MILE) is an action-

The awareness on the part of local companies on the Japaneselearning program in which international students studying atside after accepting foreign personnel is an issue that needs toJapanese universities and Japanese businesspeople learn about

be resolved, and one that we have considered important in themutual understanding and cross-cultural communication in a

future of Japanese society since our establishment. While 70%

practical way through mentoring over about four months. Theof the foreign students in Japan at that time had the intention

goal of the program is to understand the value of diversity andof finding a job in Japan, only about half, or 35%, were actually

inclusion through hands-on experience, and to acquire skills inable to find employment. Furthermore, according to the "Survey

understanding leadership styles in teams of diverse individuals

on the Employment of Foreign Students/Highly Skilled Foreign

and creating inclusive environments in organizations so that they

Human Resources" (December 2022, DISCO Corporation),can become inclusive leaders in their own organizations. Also,

one of the top three challenges when utilizing foreign human

it is a research project measuring the effectiveness of humanresources is the lack of managers who can manage them in hostresource development and behavioral change using dialogue

Japanese companies.

and mentoring methods. This is an approach toward realizing

Although there are issues to be addressed on the foreign humana society in which foreign students and other foreign humanresources are active.

spaces where everyone can converse as equals, including the

As I was seeking to advance my research, I met Professor

language used, and where they can feel comfortable and be theirTakashi Yoshinaga of Yokohama City University when I

authentic themselves. In my view, the mission of this research isparticipated in an industry-government-academia collaborative

to return and share the knowledge and ingenuity accumulated

project called "30 People Connecting Yokohama." Whilethrough the program to society in a highly reproducible manner

working together in the "Multicultural Collaboration" team, I,

so that it can be applied to other organizations and communities.

Shinagawa, decided to pursue the joint research, as we bothwanted to take advantage of each other's expertise and takethe collaboration a step further. Representatives of governmentsponsored international student networks, career consultants,
and companies engaged in similar projects in Scandinavia also
participated.

Group photo of program participants.

Yu Shinagawa
Activities to experience the difficulties of cross-culturalcommunication.

3 What we began to see was positive change
The program has been held three times so far. We are examining
the changes in participants' awareness and behavior based on
pre- and post-program questionnaires and interviews. Many of
the Japanese participants in the program had few opportunities
to talk with foreigners, and even when they did, many of them
did not or could not discuss in-depth topics such as their own
values and thoughts on work. Conversely, while international
students were interested in finding a job in Japan, many of themwere anxious about it, including the Japanese language barrier.

Yu Shinagawa is a passionate entrepreneur
focused on diversity and inclusion as a means tocreate a collaborative and innovative society thatembraces individual differences.
She founded An-Nahal Inc. in 2019 to provide
consulting and leadership development
programs within companies under the themes ofdiversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Yu also
promotes entrepreneurship education for foreign
nationals through partnerships with industry,
government, and academia. She has been actively
engaged in global talent development, education
projects with international organizations suchas the World Bank and has further contributed
through an NPO to job assistance for asylum
seekers.
Yu is also a 2019 fellow of the Japanese
Women's Leadership Initiative established by the
Fish Family Foundation in Boston.

Yet, once the program began, positive changes occurred in bothsides.
Through dialogue taking stock of each other's own values andideas about their careers, the Japanese participants realized

Project Title: Research and Analysis of Changes inthat they could understand the international participants andMindset and Behavior of International Students andgain different perspectives through ingenuity, even if they could

Human Resources in Companies through Mutual

not speak English well. We have also seen a change in attitudes

Mentoring and Systematization of Training Modelamong international students, who have gained a more positive

Author: Yu Shinagawa, CEO & Founder, An-Nahal Inc.

stance toward working at Japanese companies as a result of

Grant Number: D21-MG-0042

hearing about diverse work styles and career perspectives from
actual Japanese people.

4 The importance of creating inclusive spaces
Our research focuses on changes in both awareness andbehavior. That said, we believe that behavioral change
requires follow-up observations after the program and ongoing
communication from the program provider, which is an issue forthe future.

Project Abstract
This project analyzes the changes in attitudes and behaviors
of non-Kanji speaking foreign students entering Japanese
universities and graduate schools and Japanese managers
through a mutual mentoring program and proposes measuresfor career development of high-level foreign human resources
in Japan and training of Japanese managers who support
them. The project was initiated with the aim of increasing thenumber of inclusive organizations in Japan in which diverse
human resources can play an active role.

It also became clear that what is important for both international
students and Japanese participants to learn together is to create

45

Special Subject "Migrants and Japanese Society" 2021

Aiming to create a health information platformthat is equally accessible to foreigners living in JapanFor foreigners living in Japan, there is still not much information available in languages other than Japanese. We are a
multifaceted team with members working in various industries, bringing their skills to the table. Here, we look back on
the development of a new health information platform.

Enjoining multi-lingual cooperation online and developing the platform.

1 Project initiated by grassroots teaming

our presence at events such as the American Public HealthA series of impactful moments has defined our jour ney,

Association (APHA) annual meeting, Asia-Pacific AIDS and Co-

particularly as we witness the platform's progress during our

infections Conference, and APHA Community Health Planningmonthly project meetings. Amidst these milestones, challenges

and Policy Development Mid-Year Meeting underscores ourhave emerged, revealing the complexities of aligning thecommitment to collaborative progress and learning acrosstechnical and academic aspects of our venture. Notably,

cultural, linguistic, and academic diversities.

our design brainstorming sessions and collaborative feature
prioritization have required a delicate dance to bridge the2 Value of Collaboration and User-Centered Design

exposure to respective technical jargon among our diverse

Our teamwork has been crucial in keeping our project grounded

team members. As we collectively pursue excellence, we findin what users truly need. Dr. Aya Yumino, our lead in medical andourselves navigating the nuances of creating a working language

welfare, has been a guiding force, reminding us how valuablethat harmonizes our diverse expertise, ensuring productive

the platform is in healthcare settings for patients and providers

communication and decision-making.

alike. Embracing a user-centered approach, we understandAmidst this journey, the pursuit of a certification as a Non-Profit

the ongoing importance of staying connected with our users.

Foundation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has added

That's why we're committed to conducting regular user

its own layer of challenges and opportunities. This significant

interviews, valuing their insights and weaving their perspectives

milestone, achieved in August 2023, provides a legitimate

into platform improvements. As we gear up for the platformfoundation to bolster our long-term activities, bridging the gap

launch, our dedication to user feedback and making constant

between vision and institutional recognition.

refinements is unwavering. This ensures that the platform grows

Furthermore, our project has transcended geographicalin step with the ever-changing user needs and preferences.

boundaries, sharing its essence across three international
conferences through distinct academic connections. Notably,46

3 Future Pathways and Collaborative Potential
Our project's vision extends into the future, driven by the mission
to ensure equitable healthcare access and promote information
sharing. With this purpose in mind, we are embarking on ajourney that envisions a multi-lingual online health and wellbeing
information platform leaving a lasting impact. Institutional
Collaboration will play a pivotal role as we form partnerships
with community NPOs, local governments, and engage inpublic-private collaborations. Armed with a refined, ready-todeploy product, we intend to initiate awareness campaigns thatbridge cultural and linguistic gaps.
The expansion of our User Base is fundamental and will thrive
through word-of-mouth advocacy and the expansive reach ofsocial media. By forming synergistic relationships with medical

The Findadoc.jp website under construction (as of November 2023)

clinics catering to non-Japanese speakers and healthcare
professionals dedicated to diverse communities, we aim tofoster a network of empowerment.
Our commitment to Enhanced Multi-lingual Capabilities
underscores inclusivity. Through the recruitment of native
language advisers, we aim to weave a tapestry of languages thateffortlessly conveys health and well-being information acrossvarious cultures.
User Feedback-driven Improvements will guide our pathforward. With user insights at the core, we are poised to makeiterative enhancements, ensuring that our platform resonateswith real-world needs. Collaborative Research Opportunities
lie on the horizon, beckoning students and professionals fromfields spanning public health, design, and technology. Throughinterdisciplinary collaboration, we seek to elevate the platform's
impact even further. Financial Aid and Grants will be integral tosustaining our endeavor. In the coming phases, we are dedicatedto exploring avenues that solidify the platform's longevity andefficacy.
As of December 7, 2023, the website is open to the public andaccepts submissions and user Feedback at www.findadoc.jp.

Russell Miller
Russell Miller leads healthcare content andgrants for Find a Doc, Japan. As a healthresearcher, he works to better identify healthdisparities using social determinants. Committed
to social justice, he envisions an inclusive Japan
where diverse individuals thrive. Living in Japanfor 7 years, Russell now resides in Toyama
prefecture with his Japanese wife and son.

Project Title: Development and dissemination of amulti-lingual online health and wellbeing information
crowdsourcing platform by a multinational team Towards equitable access to healthcare
Author: Russell Miller, Visiting Scientist, Department ofCommunity and Global Health, The University of Tokyo
Grant Number: D21-MG-0045
Project Abstract

A snapshot of outreach like conference presentations.

Access to healthcare is increasingly predicated on theavailability of quality information and communication
technology. Despite the growing diversity of Japan, platforms
trusted for multi-lingual healthcare in Japan are lacking.
This project, by a multinational team, aims to develop an
accessible platform for health and well-being information.
The project entails four phases: multi-lingual expansion
with quality translation, continuous optimization from user
feedback, promotion through public-private partnerships, andefficacy testing in a randomized trial to improve local healthinformation access for migrants.

47

Publications
Online seminar “The Forefront of Accepting Foreign

Online Debriefing Sessions of the Projects

Human Resources: From the Field of Children,from the Grant Program “Migrants andEmployment, and Health”

Japanese Society”

Videos
FY2021[Digest]S1: "Childrearing and Institutions"
The Forefront of Accepting Foreign Human Resources[Digest]S2: "Inviting and Accepting Human Capital"
The Forefront of Accepting Foreign Human Resources

48

[Digest]
S3: "Communication in Healthcare"
The Forefront of Accepting Foreign Human Resources

FY2022[Digest]S1: "Financial Inclusion and Changing Awareness"
Reports from the grantees[Digest]S2: "Employment Support and Human Resource
Development"
Reports from the grantees

The full archives (approx. 90 min., Japanese only) and digest versions (approx. 10 min.,English dubbed) of the online sessions are available on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheToyotaFoundation/featured

Shinjuku Mitsui Building 37F,
2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo 163-0437, Japan
https://www.toyotafound.or.jp
Published in March 2024
Designed by Masayuki Momiyama (snug.)
Edited by Wataru Kobayashi (AISA Co.,Ltd.)
Translated by Honyaku Center Inc.