The 50th Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad
DECLARATION
Every year since 1957, we, the volunteers and representatives of Nikkei
and Japanese living in various countries, have gathered in Japan to attend
the Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad, which is organized by theAssociation of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad. This year marked the milestone
50th Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad, which was held over thethree-day period from October 14 to 16, 2009 in Tokyo. In particular, on
the occasion of the Welcoming Ceremony, held on the evening of October 14,
all participants were deeply honored and humbly appreciative of theattendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Filled withdeep emotion, this year we took a look back over the fifty times theConvention has been held, setting the overall theme as “Communities of
Nikkei and Japanese Abroad and Japan: Looking back at the Conventions of
Nikkei and Japanese Abroad over the past half century and seeking theco-existence and prosperity of both sides.” In doing so we were returning
to what could be described as the very basis for the Convention, anexamination of the current issues facing Nikkei communities abroad andtheir co-existence with Japan. The following specific themes wereidentified for discussion.
Theme 1: Communities of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad and Japan
Theme 2: Seeking Coexistence and Prosperity
1） Utilization and strengthening of Japanese language schools2) In search of new opportunities for Nikkei residing in Japan
3) Cultivating young leaders and the Nikkei community
Theme 3: Other Measures
The Convention saw much vigorous discussion of these themes and theresults of discussions have been compiled into the following fiveresolutions, which we hereby declare in the name of the Convention.

1RESOLUTIONS
1. We will support the Convention of Japanese and Nikkei Abroad and theAssociation of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad
The Convention of Japanese and Nikkei Abroad has always been held forthe purpose of promoting goodwill through exchange and understanding about
Japan, and this year celebrated the fiftieth occasion it has been held.
The Convention is the single greatest opportunity for our voices, thoseof Nikkei abroad, to be heard directly in Japan, and over the years we have
served a role as a bridge between Japan and the countries in which we reside.
We have engaged in a variety of cultural activities in various countries
as a means of developing the Nikkei communities and this has also led toa dissemination of Japanese culture in the countries where we reside. Theseactivities have also perhaps been linked to the national interest of Japan,
and we take pride that the source of this perception is the frequent mention
by the Japanese government that Nikkei abroad are an overseas asset forJapan. It can be said that the positive appraisal of our activities in ouradoptive countries has resulted in our identity as Nikkei beingstrengthened. At the milestone of this 50th Convention, when we consider
our relationship with Japan, we have recognized anew through ourdiscussions today the incomparable significance of the Convention of Nikkei
and Japanese Abroad.
The challenges currently facing the Nikkei community can generally beidentified as including human resources development, Japanese heritage
language education, and welfare issues. It is also a fact that over our
history of dealing with and promoting such issues, the assistance provided
by the Japanese government, beginning with Japan’s international
cooperation organizations, has been an enormous contributing factor.
However, in the future, in addition to the support provided by the Japanese
government to date, we believe that activities based on a spirit ofreciprocity with various private sector organizations in Japan will takeon greater importance. We recognize the vital necessity of the role playedby the Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad as a link between Nikkei
communities and public and private-sector institutions in Japan and webelieve it provides a structure that we can utilize to the fullest degree.
It is said that the total number of Nikkei abroad is somewhere between

22.6 and 2.8 million. When compared to the populations of the prefecturesof Japan, this figure is equivalent to the population of Kyoto Prefecture
at 2.64 million, or to put it another way, the 13th most populous of the47 prefectures of Japan. On this point, we are proud that our activities
to send out a message from abroad have great value as we are members ofa community greater in number than the average population of a single
prefecture in Japan. Given this reality, we strongly support the Conventionof Nikkei and Japanese Abroad and its organizer, the Association of Nikkei
and Japanese Abroad. We will always hope that our sentiments are understoodby the people of Japan, the Japanese government and various relatedorganizations.

2. We call for the active utilization of Japanese language schools run byvarious Nikkei organizations
Japanese language schools run by various Nikkei organizations areimplementing Japanese heritage language education targeting Nikkei
children, and in recent years interest among non-Nikkei in Japanese
language and culture has been increasing, leading to a similar increasein non-Nikkei attending Japanese language schools. For example, in Brazil
last year there was national scale interest in ceremonies to commemorate
the 100th anniversary of Japanese emigration to Brazil, and the Japanese
language test implemented by the Japanese Language Center in Brazil saw
a 10% jump in the number of non-Nikkei candidates taking the test. Given
this situation, we seek to ensure that the existing Japanese language
schools run by Nikkei organizations overseas are utilized effectively as
hubs for transmitting Japanese culture. A report of the Overseas Exchange
Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued in February 2008 regarding“measures and structures to strengthen Japan’s international presence”
recommended that one means of strengthening Japan’s foreign policy message
is to promote Japanese language education among foreigners. We can statewith confidence that the Japanese language schools in our own Nikkei
communities can function more than adequately as hubs for this purpose.
In so doing we believe that we will increase understanding of Japanese
language and culture in the countries in which we live, which will linkthrough to the promotion of greater understanding about Japan in general.

33. We will support Nikkei residents in Japan
Following the collapse of the bubble economy in the 1990s, as a resultof Nikkei coming to Japan in large numbers to boost the labor force, 20years later, in the present day, the number of Nikkei residents in Japan
has reached approximately 400,000. However, due to the impact of thesimultaneous global economic downturn that began in the autumn of 2008,
many Nikkei have found that their employment opportunities have been
severely curtailed, including cessation of temporary working contracts andlay-offs. Facing this situation it is said that 40,000 Nikkei Brazilians
have chosen to return to their home country. The children of these people
are only able to understand Japanese and upon their return to Brazil have
faced difficulties as the language of instruction in Brazilian schools isPortuguese. Many Nikkei in Japan are now seeking to settle in Japan andfind employment. In an emergency questionnaire implemented in August thisyear in the town of Oizumi in Gunma Prefecture, which is home to many Nikkei,
68% of respondents indicated that their life had changed in comparison toone year previously, and 54% of those whose life had changed responded thatthe changes had been economic in nature. Facing such circumstances theNikkei resident in Japan are living in a state of unease and with a senseof crisis. In addition to employment issues, other problems are being
experienced, particularly by children, with non-attendance rates atschools increasing and incidences of bullying also occurring.
These Nikkei residents wish to make their lives in Japan but are currently
unable to do so and we will provide comprehensive support to ensure thatthey can lead stable lives.

4. We have great expectations of young Nikkei leaders
Generational change is progressing apace in the overseas Nikkei
communities and cultivating young leaders who will take these communities
forward is an issue of the utmost importance. Former students and trainees
who spent time in Japan 20 or 30 years ago to study or to engage in training
are now emerging in various positions of seniority, including as chairsof prefectural societies or senior members of Nikkei organizations. Someare also active in the political arena and as the number of Nikkei who areengaged in senior positions continues to increase, we get a palpable feeling4that some of the results of the study and training in Japan are now becoming
evident in Nikkei communities. We recognize the fact that human resources
development is not something that can be expected to have an immediateeffect. It is rather something that requires a long-term and ongoingapproach. Moving forward to the future, we believe that for Nikkei in Japanand overseas, the opportunities provided through study and scholarships
have the greatest effect in linking through to the stability and further
development of Nikkei communities.
In addition, looking domestically at Japan, we see that there is nounifying, national organization for Nikkei communities and the cultivationof young leaders who will take Nikkei communities forward to the futureis essential. In light of such circumstances the Nippon Foundation Nikkei
Scholars Association is actively engaged in a number of projects in addition
to its other academic work, including the introduction of a scholarshipsystem targeting Brazilian schools in Japan. These projects are implemented
with a unique vitality, and include students speaking before their peers
about their dreams for the future and engaging in activities to realize
those dreams, as well as a drawing contest for students. We give suchactivities and projects our heartfelt support.

5. We seek efforts to increase the number of persons overseas who areregistered to vote in Japanese elections and the expansion and enhancementof the system for exercising the right to vote overseas
In the 45th general election for the House of Councilors, which took place
on August 30, 2009, for the first time ever registered overseas voters wereeligible to exercise their right to vote in single seat constituencies,
thus realizing one of our long-held wishes. However, among the ranks ofJapanese persons who hold Japanese nationality and reside overseas, voices
are being increasingly heard for the establishment of overseas
constituencies, which would represent the Japanese community overseas andallow it to participate in the national politics of Japan. Additionally,in order to enhance the system of overseas voting, measures are requiredthat would substantially simplify the current procedures, including thereplacement of the complex “voter certificate” with an electoral register
for Japanese persons registered overseas.

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It is our dearest hope that many of our friends who possess the rightto vote while overseas will make further efforts to register for an overseas
voter certificate, and that the system for exercising the right to voteoverseas continues to be expanded and enhanced.

thThe 50

Agreed by All Participants
Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad
October 15, 20096