Missionary in Japan: 'Migration is a challenge and a great opportunity'
The country tries to be "homogeneous", but now this is no longer possible. There is no clear policy to absorb migrants and refugees. The Church's commitment to migrants.
Tokyo (AsiaNews) - Today it is no longer possible to speak of a "homogeneous" society in any country in the world: it is both "a challenge" and "great opportunity" for Japanese society, says Fr. Ignacio Martinez, head of the social affairs department of the Japanese Bishops' Conference.
There is no clear policy for the absorption of migrants or refugees in the Land of the Rising Sun. To counter the reduction of the workforce due to the demographic crisis, the government issues apprenticeship visas, that is, low-cost labor from the poorest Asian countries, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
These workers are destined to stay for a few years, a period which does not "change the way of life of society". The system for assessing asylum applications is just as rigid: you can only apply once you arrive in the country. For some nationalities - like the Afghan one, which does not have access to Japanese tourist visas - this is almost impossible. The applicant faces a waiting period of several years and a probable negative response: Japan considers only "individual" risks, not those referring to situations of conflict or persecution of minorities.
At present, the authorities have recognized refugee status for less than 100 people. In 2017, the number of asylum applications exceeded 19 thousand. It should be emphasized that the asylum system is burdened by the stringent rules towards economic migrants. At the end of the temporary visa for work, thousands apply for asylum to prolong their stay in the country.
In this context, the "small" Catholic Church tries to help migrants "in everyday life". "However, the problem is not their daily life, but getting the right visa to live in Japan, either as a migrant or as a refugee".
The Committee for Migrants of the Japanese Catholic Church has four working groups: one to support victims of trafficking; for workers in the naval field; to "build bridges" between the various liturgies in Japan; and for those arriving to work with the temporary visa as an "apprentice".
It is important to support the victims of trafficking in human beings: "There are many women - says the missionary - both Japanese, but especially Filipino, Vietnamese and Thai, who are forced into prostitution in Japan. They come here as 'apprentices' and work in shops and factories during the day ".
Like many fellow nationals, the girls are attracted by fictitious promises of a job that would allow them to make a lot of money. "But it's not the truth. The employer has relationships with the prostitution clubs, and sometimes takes away their passport so they can not escape. " The Japanese Church, together with religious congregations linked to the international group against trafficking, Talitha Kum, gives shelter to these girls.
"There is a further problem regarding 'foreigners' in Japan," continues Fr. Martinez. "During World War II, many from Korea, China and Taiwan were forced to come to Japan to work in the war industry. When the war ended, they remained in the country, but as foreigners ". Even their descendants, born and raised in Japan, remain such with a special residence permit. "Even if they speak in perfect Japanese, they are foreigners. If your parents are foreigners, you will be a foreigner forever. "
"Japanese culture - he concludes - is very homogenous. They try to be homogeneous, but by now it is impossible for any country in the world. Here in Japan, the situation must change, it is necessary to accept that Japanese society needs foreigners to survive. It is the great challenge for society in Japan, and an opportunity. And it is also a great opportunity for the Church to spread the 'Catholic' way of thinking about the internationalization of society ".
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11/08/2017 20:05
