Building a Multiethnic Society and Revitalizing Local Communities

JCIE operated a three-year project with community leaders from around the country to examine case studies of areas with active communities foreign-born residents, analyze the roles played by the actors who work as a bridge between foreign and Japanese residents at the community level, and explore ways communities can better support foreign-born residents.
Mainichi OpEd Quotes JCIE’s Menju, Says Japan Is Now an Immigrant Nation
“This rigid focus on accepting foreigners as a mere labor resource adjusting valve risks compromising human rights. Moreover, half-hearted integration policies and Japanese language education may exacerbate societal divisions.
The JCIE’s Menju says, ‘Japan is no longer in any position to treat immigration as taboo. The government must make its basic stance on this clear.'”
WEBINAR | Public Symposium Towards a Safer Transnational Migration—Bringing Together Multiple Stakeholders’ Perspectives

JCIE will hold an online public symposium, ” Towards a Safer Transnational Migration: Bringing in Migrants’ Perspectives,” to enhance information access for foreign migrants and promote accountability by comparing the experiences of individuals from Nepal and Myanmar in Japan and Korea.
JCIE/Japan’s Toshihiro Menju Writes on Japan’s Immigration Policy
“At a recent event…, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio told attendees that, ‘we must imagine a society in which we can live together with foreigners’ in light of Japan’s demographic decline. The prime minister should also explain to the Japanese people in a concrete and clear manner that coexistence with foreigners is essential for Japan’s future. […]
JCIE Managing Director Toshihiro Menju Speaks on Japan’s Foreign Technical Trainee Program
“An organization that supports foreign technical trainees in Japan says it received more than 23,000 complaints in fiscal 2021. This comes amid reports about various problems, such as trainees not being paid or being unjustly dismissed. Japan has a program for trainees from developing countries. The individuals are able to learn about technology and acquire […]
Press Briefing on Population Decline and Immigration Policy
Toshihiro Menju speaks at the Foreign Press Center of Japan on the policy measures Japan should adopt to attract and support foreign residents as a way to address population aging.
Invite Foreign Interns to Settle in Japan, Think Tank Says
Japan Times coverage of a policy proposal put forth as part of JCIE’s program on Population Decline & Immigration., which recommends that Japan replace its discredited national foreigners’ trainee program with a system that invites overseas interns to settle in Japan.
Japan’s Historic Immigration Reform: A Work in Progress
Toshihiro Menju analyzes the recent, controversial new reforms and their implications for Japanese immigration policy and the future of Japanese society.
Japan May Allow Immigration of Hong Kong Financial Sector, Specialized Workers
Article on Japan potentially allowing immigration of Hong Kong financial sector workers. Features quotes from Toshihiro Menju, Managing Director and Chief Program Officer at JCIE
3rd Lunch Webinar for Supporting Youths of Diverse Roots and an Inclusive Society (SYDRIS) Initiative

JCIE co-hosted a third SYDRIS-100 SEED Lunch Webinar on multicultural coexistence to discuss current situation and challenges faced by teenagers in Japan with diverse roots.