A Roadmap to Formulate a Rights-based Comprehensive Immigration Policy

In Response to the UN Special Rapporteur’s Recommendations to the Japanese Government

18 December is celebrated every year as the International Migrants Day. This year, a commemorative symposium will be held at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo on Saturday 17 December, under the theme, “A Roadmap to Formulate a Rights-based Comprehensive Immigration Policy: In Response to the UN Special Rapporteur’s Recommendations to the Japanese Government.

The final report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur (SR) on the Human Rights of Migrants on his official visit to Japan during March of 2010, was issued during the 17th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (May-June 2011).

In the report, which included 14 areas of concern and 21 recommendations, SR Mr. Jorge Bustamante stated that inflows of migration had become a permanent reality in Japan, and that there was a dire need for not only the establishment of a comprehensive migrant policy, but also coordination among the relevant government ministries to establish a government institution that is capable of realizing the recommendations of various UN institutions.

How should the Japanese society receive and respond to this report from the Special Rapporteur? On the occasion of this year’s International Migrants Day, we invite experts, NGO representatives, and UN/international organization representatives from various migrant and migrant support communities to engage in discussions on this topic.

Date/Time: 13:00-17:30, Saturday, 17 December 2011
Venue: Room 2302 (on the 2nd floor of Building No. 2), Meiji Gakuin University (Shirokane campus)
Address: 1-2-37 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Map: http://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/access/#shirokane (*Please refrain from bringing your car.)
Host: Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ)
The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
International Peace Research Institute, Meiji Gakuin University (PRIME)
Partnership: United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Fee for Reference Material: Adults: ￥1,000 / Students: ￥500

Point of Contact/Registration:
SMJ office: Phone: 03-5802-6033 / FAX: 03-5802-6034 /
E-mail: fmwj@jca.apc.org
* Please register for the symposium by Wednesday, December 7, and include your name and organizational affiliation.
* Please contact the International Peace Research Institute, Meiji Gakuin University (PRIME) (Phone: 03-5421-5652) with questions regarding the venue.

Interpretation and English Materials:
For participants who need interpretation into English or Portuguese, please contact us by Wednesday 7 December. Additionally, for those who would like English translations of the materials, please let us know in advance.

Programme Contents

Opening Remarks: UN Secretary-General’s Message delivered by Yasuko Senoo (UNIC)
Objectives of the Symposium: Masataka Okamoto (SMJ)

Part I:
The History, Current Situation, and Future of Each Migrant Community in Japan Coordinator: Yuriko Saito (PRIME)

1. The history, current situation, and future of the Korean community in Japan
Sonsuk Son (Chuo University)
2. The history, current situation, and future of the Chinese community in Japan
Ying Lin Wang (University of Tokyo)
3. The history, current situation, and future of the Brazilian community in Japan
Angelo Ishi (Musashi University)
4. The history, current situation, and future of the Filipino community in Japan
Maria Reinaruth D. Carlos (Ryukoku University)

Part II:
Challenges and Scenarios on the Establishment of a Rights-based Comprehensive Migrant Policy: In Response to the UN Special Rapporteur’s Recommendations
Coordinator: Masataka Okamoto (SMJ)

1. The UN Special Rapporteur system and SR Jorge Bustamante’s recommendations
Yuriko Hara (IMADR)
2. How to substantiate SMJ’s policy proposals
Eishun Watanabe (SMJ)
3. Migrant policies of other countries
Naoko Hashimoto (IOM Office in Japan)
4. Current efforts to coordinate policies on immigration and the possibility of the establishment of a comprehensive migrants policy institution
Yasushi Iguchi (Kansai Gakuin University)

Part III:
Discussion with the Eight Panelists
Coordinator: Masataka Okamoto (SMJ)

Topic: “Migrant Policy and Human Rights Policy: Thinking About the 2012 Immigration Control Act” SMJ

Closing Remarks: Ippei Torii (SMJ)

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