The 52nd Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad
DECLARATION
We, the volunteers and representatives of Nikkei and Japanese living in variouscountries, have gathered in Tokyo, Japan to attend the 52nd Convention of Nikkei andJapanese Abroad, over the three-day period from October 26 to 28, 2011. The overall
theme for the Convention was “Let’s strengthen the Social Bonds with Japan-Facing aNational Crisis in Japan, the Significance and Roles of Nikkei Communities Abroad”
and various issues were addressed by three Working Groups.
Working Group Theme 1: Japan, especially in local communities and Nikkei Society
Working Group Theme 2: Nikkei Living in Japan
Working Group Theme 3: Nikkei Youth Meeting
The Convention saw much vigorous discussion in both the Working Groups and thePlenary Session and the results have been compiled into the following eight resolutions,which we hereby declare in the name of the Convention.
RESOLUTIONS
1. We will continue to make every effort to offer support and assistance forrebuilding Japan in the wake of the unprecedented Great East Japan Earthquake– “Ganbare! Japan”
The Great East Japan Earthquake, which inflicted damage on a scale never before
experienced, profoundly shocked Japanese and Nikkei living overseas. Not merely
thinking about the safety and wellbeing of friends and acquaintances, Nikkei
communities around the world responded to the great disaster that had befallen Japanby almost simultaneously launching relief fund-raising activities to “Support Japan.”
The great majority of the funds that have been raised have already been provided to thedisaster-affected regions, through local Japanese consulates, the Japanese Red Cross
Society, and the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad. In response to the disaster
Nikkei living in Japan hurried to the disaster-affected regions, where they haveengaged in volunteer activities to provide relief to victims. However, Nikkei living in
far-off countries overseas, while being distressed at the disaster, have been unable tovisit the affected regions, instead praying for the revival of their homeland from afar.
We will continue to make every effort to support and assist reconstruction andrevival efforts. Nikkei communities believe in Japan’s vitality and over their support to“Ganbare! Japan.”
2. We will make efforts to promote the spread of Japanese culture and support
1

Japanese heritage language education.
In order to nurture and develop human resources who will take the lead in the next
generation of Nikkei communities, and work to promote the spread of Japanese culture
and vitalize Nikkei communities, the implementation of Japanese heritage language
education and development of Nikkei Japanese language schools are essential.
Japanese heritage language education does not involve merely learning the Japanese
language, such education serves as a pillar of “emigration studies,” whereby thepassing on of Japanese language from parents to children and then from children tograndchildren offers opportunities to learning about Japanese culture and one’s ownroots. “Emigration studies” is the study of emigration and Nikkei communities fromthe three perspectives of “history of emigration,” “the contribution of Nikkei to nationbuilding,” and “bonds between two cultures.” Such studies aim to cultivate in people
an identity as a Nikkei. By engaging in these studies we believe that students will learn
about both the cultures of Japan and the country where they live, thus leading to thedevelopment of broad- and open-minded people who can act as a bridge between thetwo countries.
Japanese heritage language education requires the development and cultivation ofoutstanding teachers who will support such education, and one of the most important
programs for this is training for Japanese heritage language education teachers
implemented by international cooperation organizations. It is also necessary to revive
or enhance prefectural-funded systems for promoting study in Japan, thus providing
further learning opportunities for young Nikkei who have acquired Japanese language
skills, and invigorating study in Japan for overseas students.
3. We will further improve welfare for elderly Nikkei.
It is said that there is a “return to Japan” phenomenon occurring among elderly
immigrants with regard to food culture and living styles. In particular, among the firstgeneration Nikkei who are now advanced in years and require nursing care, there is arequirement for a “food, clothing and housing environment” that is suited to Japanesepeople, including Japanese-style accommodation and Japanese cuisine. In response tothis need Nikkei retirement homes and Nikkei nursing homes are being constructed inNikkei communities around the world. In addition, depending on the country Nikkei
communities are actually engaged in efforts to protect poor and vulnerable Nikkei andprovide support for various issues, including old age and disability. It goes without
saying that we will work to resolve such issues and challenges and we call on others,
including the Japanese Government and private-sector organizations, to continue toprovide assistance to such people.
4. We call for understanding and cooperation for Nikkei living in Japan who areexperiencing difficulties.
2

The number of Nikkei living in Japan exceeded 400,000 in recent times, but has
since dropped to a current level of approximately 300,000 people. The global recessionthat started in the United States in 2008, couple with the shock of the recent Great East
Japan Earthquake has prompted many Nikkei to leave Japan for their home countries.
The Nikkei who have determined to remain in Japan are facing a difficult situation interms of employment, with very little job security. Many of these Nikkei consider
Japan to be their second home country and it is also a fact that while enduring hardshipas they seek to achieve a stable livelihood they remain full of feelings of gratitude
towards Japan. The speed at which these Nikkei living in Japan moved to engage involunteer activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake could be said to be amanifestation of this gratitude. In particular, even in the midst of a difficult fiscal
situation, the Japanese Government is making efforts to provide support programs forforeign residents in Japan, and Nikkei are also benefiting from such programs.
Nonetheless, there are many problems with the situation facing Nikkei, and thenecessity for action to resolve issues such as employment, education and agingcommunities, is something that is recognized by the Nikkei themselves. We call for
greater understanding and cooperation from a wider spectrum of the Japanese public inresponse to these issues.
5. We call for Japan to accept “dual citizenship,” and make it possible for people
to be citizens of two countries.
Japan recognizes the right of minors to “hold nationality two or more countries”(dual citizenship), but when a person comes of age, he or she is required to choose anationality. The emigrants living overseas have moved to other countries for a varietyof purposes, including as agricultural emigrants in the post-war period, living
permanently overseas for business or moving overseas for an international marriage.
Their reasons for choosing to forgo their Japanese nationality are similarly diverse.
Many of these overseas emigrants and Nikkei desire dual citizenship. There is a hopeamong people who are living their lives in various regions around the world that they
can maintain their nationality of the country in which they reside while also attaining
Japanese nationality, for the purpose of caring for elderly relatives living in Japan orfor the purpose of their children’s education. At the same time there are many second
generation Nikkei who were born overseas and who, while retaining Japanesenationality have acquired dual citizenship of the country where they reside.
Japanese emigrants and Nikkei living abroad are said to be an overseas “asset” ofJapan, but once they come of age and select the nationality of the country to which
they have emigrated their Japanese citizenship is not permitted, meaning that Japan isthrowing away these precious overseas assets of its own volition. This is the reason
why we continue to request the Japanese Government permit dual citizenship.

3

6. “Nikkei youth” will utilize their experiences of overseas study in a broad rangeof scenarios.
At this convention many young people from “Nikkei youth” participated in working
groups and almost all of these young people are residing in Japan for the purposes ofstudy or training. There were also some students who have been living in Japan from ayoung age to receive their education.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake the Nikkei youth participated involunteer activities in the affected regions in cooperation with young people from othercountries and with Japanese people, making a small contribution reconstruction efforts.
Through these endeavors the Nikkei youth were able to relate to Japan as Nikkei andrecognize once again their bonds with Japan. These effforts also enabled us to realizethat the heartfelt support and wishes for Japan’s reconstruction are felt not only by
Nikkei communities in our home countries, but by society as a whole in thesecountries.
We seek to utilize the specialist knowledge and experience we have acquired inJapan in a global context. Our discussions and exchanges of opinions during theConvention on the various possibilities that are open to us, including the option ofemployment in Japan, were of great significance. We aim to become people whoseskills are highly evaluated and appreciated around the world, and we will also continue
to treasure our links with Japan.
7. We request the introduction of a simple method of overseas voting in elections.
Looking back over the 11 years since the implementation of overseas voting, weperceive that one of the major factors behind why the number of persons registered tovote overseas and the actual voting rate remain low is due systemic issues relating toelections, such as the complexity and difficulty of registration procedures and themethod of voting. We propose the following measures, which would simplify andimprove the process:(1) Automatic registration of voters at the city (or ward) office upon theiremigration overseas;(2) Automatic distribution of voting notification (by post) to persons registered tovote; and(3) Voting being made possible by fax at overseas Japanese diplomatic missions
or the simpler option of the introduction of electronic voting, etc.
We therefore request the Japanese Government to take appropriate measures andmake a decision that will not necessitate the creation of an electoral voting system, butwill simply and practically enable Japanese living overseas to participate in nationalelections.
We also request that the Japanese government considers these proposals inconjunction with the creation of overseas constituencies.
48. We will further develop international Nikkei networks.
Without the internet we cannot even begin to imagine how we can convey and share
information internationally. The activities of the various organizations that participatedin the Convention are also increasingly including cooperative programs and events
both within Japan and with neighboring countries. The International Nikkei Networkthat is operated by the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad could also be utilized
to publicize the activities of these various organizations to other people in addition totheir own members. We believe that we are now called upon to further develop theInternational Nikkei Network, and publicize and share the vigorous activities of Nikkei
communities with people around the world.
Requests
1. We request the conclusion of a visa waiver agreement between Japan andBrazil.
Consultations between Japan and Brazil have been initiated towards the conclusionof a bilateral visa waiver agreement and we request that these consultations include
consideration of the short-term stay visa, which would have a significant impact on
permanent residents and Nikkei communities in Brazil.
2. We request that measures be implemented to ensure that the Convention ofNikkei and Japanese Abroad may be implemented in a multi-lingual environment.
In view of the fact that many Nikkei communities now include third and fourth
generation Nikkei, we request that the Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad be
implemented in a multi-lingual environment.

5