This paper analyses the role public opinion had in the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 2018. Previously, the majority of the public felt economically and...Show moreThis paper analyses the role public opinion had in the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 2018. Previously, the majority of the public felt economically and culturally threatened by foreign residents. Over time, this belief largely disappeared from the public’s consciousness and changed into a more receptive view of an increase of foreigners. Consequently, a majority of the public came to believe that an increase of unskilled foreign labourers to address Japan’s labour shortage was a satisfactory solution. Alleviating labour shortages would in turn strengthen Japan’s economy which was a priority for both the public and Prime Minister Abe. Having looked at both businesses and Abe as different actors in the revision, I found that thanks to Abe’s tight control over both the Diet and the Cabinet, the bill was approved by the Diet without Abe facing public backlash. Nonetheless, the public’s preference has not been attained as they wanted more deliberation time in the Diet. Therefore, public opinion and the 2018 revision are correlated, but it cannot be concluded that public opinion influenced the revision.Show less
Due to escalating circumstances in Africa and the Middle East, the European Union was flooded with refugees in 2015. This phenomenon raised many issues regarding asylum for these displaced...Show moreDue to escalating circumstances in Africa and the Middle East, the European Union was flooded with refugees in 2015. This phenomenon raised many issues regarding asylum for these displaced individuals and families. By performing a qualitative inductive framing research, this thesis creates new policy frames applicable to Dutch governmental debates on immigration policy from 2015-2019. Uncovering whether politicians use frames to express their standpoints and in which ways this occurs. This research emphasizes which frames politicians used during their debates on immigration policy, establishing the three main frames and their usage, as well as the difference in use by right and left wing politicians.Show less
Japan’s immigration policy seems to be a popular subject nowadays, due to Japan’s rapidly aging society. When looking at the subject of immigration regarding Japanese society, the common conception...Show moreJapan’s immigration policy seems to be a popular subject nowadays, due to Japan’s rapidly aging society. When looking at the subject of immigration regarding Japanese society, the common conception seems that Japan is reluctant to implement an immigration policy, being that the main reason for this reluctancy lies in Japan’s unique history. Over the years, changes have been made to Japan’s immigration policy. From introducing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to entice foreign health care workers from the Philippines and Indonesia, to the development of a point-based system for highly skilled workers, to opening up more work sectors for foreign workers that enter under the newest visa category of ‘specified skills’ in 2019. This thesis examines the current (2019) immigration policy and analyses its most recent changes, in order to find out the political sentiments behind Japan's immigration policy. This thesis illustrates the difference between policy-making and policy-outcome.Show less
This thesis deals with securitization and desecuritization of immigration in right and left wing media in the United States as evidence of polarization through applying critical discourse analysis....Show moreThis thesis deals with securitization and desecuritization of immigration in right and left wing media in the United States as evidence of polarization through applying critical discourse analysis. Considering the current political climate in which matters such as immigration, race and social class are being securitized, research that focuses on how the right and the left wing securitize/desecuritize is important.Show less
