With the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in the 1990s the Japanese Government introduced new policies for the acceptance of foreign labour into society. Whereas...Show moreWith the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in the 1990s the Japanese Government introduced new policies for the acceptance of foreign labour into society. Whereas formal policies for admitting skilled foreign workers were introduced, a formal policy for admitting unskilled foreign workers has been lacking up until this date. Instead, the respective workers came to enter Japan through certain backdoor policies and have been doing so ever since. This thesis will provide insight into the reason why this is by explaining the impact that conservative political elites have upon immigration policymaking. It will reveal that their presence forms an obstacle in formalizing any such policy to admit unskilled foreign workers, whereas continuing to admit them through backdoor channels only enhances vulnerability to exploitation.Show less
The Japanese population and its healthcare system is under pressure. The population is declining drastically; the amount of elderly is increasing heavily and with the costs to take care of them...Show moreThe Japanese population and its healthcare system is under pressure. The population is declining drastically; the amount of elderly is increasing heavily and with the costs to take care of them will be heavy. Their increasingly chasing population structure is a major concern for politicians and companies alike. Too often Japanese politicians keep this status quo alive, on one hand they agree that Japan needs to introduce pro-immigration policies but on the other hand, when it comes to implement real and viable policies they ignore it. Japanese politicians are hesitant to call for increased immigration, due to fear from the public. These fears often stem from some underbelly feeling, which also fueled by the Media. The introduction of the Foreign nurses and caretakers was a first step into the right direction. Sadly, the outcome was insignificant and had practically no influence. This program shows the weakness of the Japanese immigration policies. It lacks flexibility, practicality and long-term vision.Show less
This thesis examines how the Korean state uses and distorts the memories of Colonial Korea in order to construct a national narrative of a victimized nation that was oppressed by the Japanese...Show moreThis thesis examines how the Korean state uses and distorts the memories of Colonial Korea in order to construct a national narrative of a victimized nation that was oppressed by the Japanese Empire and of a nation that engaged in a unified resistance against the Japanese Empire. This thesis argues that this national narrative is partially built upon ‘distorted’ colonial memories, as this narrative does not discuss the deep collaboration that occurred between the Japanese Empire and the Colonial Korean citizens. This thesis shall also argue that when one examines this case through the lens of the IR theory of constructivism and Takeo Hymans’ ‘politics of memory’ theory that this narrative is built with strong political motives that show the underlined political agenda that exists within the national identity building process. This thesis shall then show that these political motives are to distort or draw attention away from the involvement of the large number of Koreans that volunteered for the Japanese Imperial army and their actions to further Japanese imperialism within other parts of the Japanese Empire. It shall also highlight how the involvement of high-profile collaborators, such as Park Chung-Hee and Lt. General Hong Sa-ik, further distorts this narrative presented by the Korean state. Ultimately this thesis addresses the distortion that exists within the Korean-Japanese relations’ dichotomy and proposes that the only way for a meaningful dialogue between these two countries to exist is for both nations to acknowledge and discuss the distortions caused within their national narratives.Show less
An overview and analysis of the Small and Medium Enterprise policies of the Japanese government during the period 2006-2013 and of the effect of the 2008 global financial crisis on these policies.
