Tag Archives: Area Studies

NEW

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

On Groundedness, Preparedness, and Transitions

June 8, 2011
By 19658

Japan resident and writer on ecological lifestyles reflects on the implications of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and offers food for thought on how, as Sylff fellows, the disaster should be interpreted.

* * *

I have three reflections about the March 11 calamity that hit the Tohoku region. The first is that earthquakes and tsunamis are disasters like no other.

How does one describe the unnerving sensation of an earthquake? My husband was with the Navy, and he would be out in the open sea for weeks at a time. At some point, he says, it becomes possible to get used to the incessant rocking of the ship. This motion can increase due to stormy weather, of course, but you can always look forward to the steadiness of walking on land once you disembark.

This reminded me of going on an amusement park ride—a Ferris wheel, perhaps, or a roller coaster. The fun lasts for a few minutes, after which I could always look forward to steadying myself back on solid ground. This comparison may not be appropriate, but it did get me thinking of the many ways in which we anchor the activities of our lives on the immovable nature of land. It makes perfect sense that dry land in Latin is called terra firma.

Imagine, then, the psychological impact of solid ground trembling and quivering beneath our feet and sending our belongings flying. Imagine when our homes, our secure refuge, threaten to collapse. In another article, I reflected on how the earthquake “literally shook the foundation of our lives.” An earthquake is a natural hazard like no other. We do not know when it will strike, how long it will last, whether the rocking will be from side to side or up and down, how strong it will be, or how many aftershocks there will be.

As if earthquakes were not terrifying enough by themselves, they trigger tsunamis that can wipe out everything in their path and alter the landscape. Stripping us of our possessions and decimating everything we’ve known, tsunamis expose our human frailty. When we see photos of people in the afflicted areas scouring the rubble, we grieve for their loss and realize with sadness how small we are in the face of the great forces of nature.

My second reflection is that our best defenses for earthquakes and tsunamis are preparation and prevention.

Immediately after 3/11, my husband (Charles E. McJilton, executive director of Second Harvest Japan, a “food bank” that collects food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes them to people in need) drove up to Sendai. He was so surprised to see that practically all the buildings were still standing. In the following weeks, as he drove to different areas in the Tohoku region to distribute food and supplies, the destruction he saw was largely from the tsunami and not the earthquake. This is truly a testament to the efforts of the Japanese people to construct earthquake-resistant buildings, particularly in the light of lessons learned from the Kobe quake.

But even more important than superior seismic engineering is the strict enforcement of building codes and general intolerance for corruption. People like Hidetsugu Aneha, the Tokyo architect who cut corners—and costs—by falsifying earthquake-resistance data, are roundly condemned for putting the public’s safety at risk. Constructing earthquake-proof buildings is something that cannot be compromised, because an earthquake will eventually expose shoddy structures, such as was the case in earthquakes in Haiti, L’Aquila, Italy, and Sichuan, China. I shudder to think how my own country, the Philippines, would fare in the event of a big earthquake, given the widespread corruption and bribery in the construction industry.

Japan’s coastline is dotted with tsunami warning signs, seawalls, and well-marked escape routes. The country has invested in a sophisticated monitoring and early-warning system. We saw this system at work when mobile phones would beep and warnings would flash on TV a few seconds before the tremors were actually felt. People have made disaster preparedness a way of life, keeping bottles of fresh water and emergency rations on hand and knowing how to react and where to evacuate in case of a major disaster.

Despite this, the death toll from 3/11 has been tremendous. The loss of life and property needs to be put in perspective, though, given the sheer magnitude of the earthquake (the most powerful to ever hit Japan) and the strength of the ensuing tsunami. One can only imagine how much longer the list of casualties would have been had Japan not pushed for preparation and prevention.

My third reflection is that there is a renewed sense of purpose throughout the nation.

There is definitely something different in the air these days. Before the earthquake and tsunami, Japan seemed to be languishing—politically, economically, and socially—for decades, and getting out of this rut had appeared almost impossible. It took an earthquake and a tsunami of unimaginable scale to literally shake Japan out of its lassitude. Suddenly, everything came to a halt, and it was impossible to continue with business as usual, as trains came to a halt, rolling blackouts were implemented, and highways were closed to traffic. It was a time for critical decisions.

It is hard to describe how it felt to know that many of my foreign friends have decided to leave Japan. My husband and I discussed the situation. In the midst of all the fear and uncertainty, it was as if we were given new eyes—we saw so clearly what we love about Japan and its people. Through the lens of the tragedy, we saw so much beauty in the country’s human and vulnerable side. Especially for my husband, who has lived here for over 20 years, it only served to strengthen his commitment to be of service to the country and the people.

It was not surprising to see a collective outpouring of similar sentiments, such as in “Embrace Transition,” an online community on Facebook. Founder Jacinta Hin writes:

Something fundamental has changed. I am not alone in this. All around me people tell me they feel different. Japan and its inhabitants have been swept into a state of transition. The pre-3/11 chapter is closed and we are moving into a new one where we have yet to arrive . . . By nature, transitions are chaotic, confusing, and challenging, as they throw us into the unknown and force us to make new choices. They tell us that old paradigms no longer work and that we must come up with new ones. They wake us up and summon us to look at ourselves with critical eyes, to explore who we are and how we want to live.

The widespread destruction has given Japan the chance not only to simply rebuild but to do things differently. Perhaps there will be a shift from high-risk nuclear energy to renewable sources of energy. Perhaps the urban-centered development will spread more to the neglected and elderly-populated countryside. With the revitalization of volunteerism among the youth of this country, perhaps their engagement and energy will fuel this transition. Whatever the changes ahead, these are definitely exciting times, and we are fortunate to be a part of it.

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

Message for Japan: From the Participants of the “Building a Better Asia” Meeting in Nara

May 13, 2011
By null

In late April, a little more than a month following the Great East Japan Earthquake, a group of 32 young leaders from 14 Asian countries gathered in the ancient capital of Nara in western Japan to participate in a “Building a Better Asia” ¹ retreat to discuss various key issues confronting society and to deepen friendships.

Among the participants were 12 Sylff fellows from 7 countries. Following their stay in Japan, the fellows offered words of encouragement and support for the country that has been devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis.

The messages below are preceded by each fellow’s name, country, current position, and the institution where and the years during which they received Sylff fellowships.

Sherilyn Tan Siy (Philippines), writer, Eco+Waza magazine
Ateneo de Manila University, 2004-07

To the people of Japan, please know that your struggles have not been in vain. I share the deep pain of loss and grieve for the senseless deaths of so many people, especially children and the elderly. I believe that through this event, your humanity shines forth. May you find untapped sources of strength within you, and may you be filled with hope that tomorrow will be better. All shall be well . . . all shall be well.

Sadia Khan (Pakistan), executive director, Delta Shipping (Pvt) Ltd
INSEAD, 1995-96

May God give you strength to bear your loss and the courage to rebuild your lives. My home country, Pakistan, has faced two major natural disasters in the last five years: a terrible earthquake in 2005 and unprecedented floods in 2010 that affected more than 20 million people. We can relate to the suffering of the Japanese people at this time of national grief, and our thoughts and prayers are with you. We also know the resilience of the human spirit and, in particular, the indefatigable will and energy of the Japanese people; we are sure that the nation will rise to the occasion to provide for those in need. We wish you God speed in your recovery efforts.

Katherine Galang Lacson (Philippines), lecturer, Department of History and Department of Communication, Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University, 2003-06

I have been lucky enough to participate in several exchange programs in Japan, which exposed me to the beauty of the country, its people, and its culture. In 2004, one of these programs brought me to a beautiful prefecture called Miyagi, and I visited a very peaceful city called Sendai, where I met many wonderful people, including the very loving family of Michio and Kazuko Waku with whom I had the privilege of staying. We have lost touch over the years, but the memory of their hospitality has stayed with me. So it was a shock to see TV images of the tsunami devastating this beautiful city. I felt helpless as I watched the events unfold, so I did what I could do: I prayed. My prayers went to Michio, Kazuko, Kota, and all the other friends I met. I prayed that they were safe, and I prayed for a fast recovery. I believe in my heart that if there was ever a group of people capable of facing this triple crisis with strength and courage, it would be the Japanese, truly resilient and truly inspiring.

Kamrul Hossain (Bangladesh), senior researcher, Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
University of Helsinki, 2001-02

I am writing to express my deepest sympathy to the Japanese people, who just recently suffered from a shocking tsunami that has taken thousands of lives. Thousands of others have lost their homes and relatives. There is no doubt that the pain suffered by the Japanese people will take a long time to heal. Personally, my relationship with Japan is very deep. I have been in Japan three times and stayed for a considerable period each time. I have had the opportunity to become close to the people in Japan and to know how wonderful, hospitable, and respectful the people are. The disaster has been painful not only for the Japanese people but everyone who knows Japan and its people. I hope and wish that Japanese people recover from the shock very soon.

Ngeow Yeok Meng (Malaysia), senior lecturer, University of Malaya
University of Malaya, 2001-02

During my recent retreat with other young Asian leaders in Nara, I was deeply touched and impressed by the resilience and patience of the tsunami survivors. Safe but cramped into emergency shelters, many were eager to return to the life they led before the tsunami. However, some seemed overwhelmed by the challenges before them. What can we do to show our friendship and commitment? From far or near, we can at least offer material donations. There are still donation boxes on many store counters, subway stations, tourist spots, restaurants, and street corners. I see that the victims have high hopes for themselves and their communities. Many young people are volunteering their time and energy, and they appear more aware of their social responsibilities than before. This is a nation full of hope, and we will see the sun rise again. As foreigners, we wish to express our condolences to those who have lost their lives, and we sincerely hope that peace and harmony will return to the lives and hearts of the survivors. We are with you always.

Payoshni Mitra (India), independent researcher and consultant with various sport organizations in Britain
Jadavpur University, 2005-08

I recently visited Nara and Osaka to attend the 9th BABA Retreat. Many people told me that this was not the right time to go to Japan. But I am glad I did not listen to them. From the moment I landed, I was amazed by the great courage and strength of the Japanese people, even in times of disaster. There is so much to learn from the Japanese people. I believe that if there is any country that is capable of handling the post-tsunami and nuclear situation, it is Japan. You inspire us with your determination and your ability to withstand hardships and still come out as a champion. I feel sorry for those who have lost near and dear ones in this disaster. I also strongly feel that Japan, as a nation, will overcome this loss soon.

Ma Xiangxiang (China), legal assistant, DLA Piper, UK LLP, Beijing Representative Office
Peking University, 2006

This was my second visit to Japan and the first to the Kansai area in western Japan. The friendliness of the Japanese people, as well as the country’s economic and commercial prosperity was very impressive. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Japanese people who helped me during my stay in Japan, even though I was a stranger to them. Also, I believe that the calmness and diligence of the Japanese people will help you go through this terrible hardship. May God bless all the Japanese people!

Kamei Aphun (India), assistant professor, Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2004-05

World War II destroyed many parts of Japan, but in less than 20 years, the country was rebuilt. This time, the tsunami has caused great damage and suffering. My belief is that in less than 2 years, the country will come back much stronger, with greater unity among the people. My Nara experience speaks volumes about the people: very humble and yet focused, very hard working and yet generous, very determined but supportive. I see that Japan and its people have great potential in pioneering social and economic initiatives for the world. Natural calamities may come, but the people have learned to deal with it calmly and without panic. This is the biggest lesson that the world should learn.

Citra Wardhani (Indonesia), expert staff, Directorate of Research and Community Services, Universitas Indonesia
University of Indonesia, 2001-02

The Japanese people are facing many challenges in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami and the ongoing nuclear crisis. My heart goes to those affected. We faced the same problem here in Indonesia, except for the nuclear crisis. I saw firsthand how devastating natural disasters can be for people. The loss of family members and homes must have been very painful and difficult, especially for those having to survive the cold, winter weather in the affected areas. But from the disaster, we—the outsiders—have learned a lot from you, such as how you share and work together, how you hold onto your virtues during difficult times, and how you sacrifice for others. We see new heroes emerging. I hope you all recover soon. Many stakeholders in my country are involved with you and are trying to help in any way they can. Please know that you're not alone.

Sunitha B Nair (India), assistant professor, Payyanur College, Kannur University
Jawaharlal Nehru University, 2005-06

First of all, I would like to salute all my Japanese friends and the Japanese people for their spirit in facing up the challenge. They are so balanced. From my friends, I have heard that many youths are now volunteering in the tsunami-affected areas, and I really admire their desire to help others. My Japanese brothers and sisters, you can count on the support from all Sylff and BABA fellows. All of us who are the beneficiaries of fellowships are greatly indebted to The Nippon and Tokyo Foundations, and we will offer our support in whichever manner it is required in this period of crisis.

Sarojini Imran (Indonesia), lecturer, Tourism Destination Faculty and Architecture Faculty, University of Pancasila; lecturer of interior design, Binus University
University of Indonesia, 1999-2001

My dear Japanese friends, no one can avoid natural disasters. In my country, Indonesia, we also often experience earthquakes, tsunamis, and other disasters, as you know. Normally, we ask why we should meet such pain and suffering. We eventually realize, though, that we should really be grateful for the opportunity to think about the true meaning of life. In the face of destruction, the hard work and effort we made may appear to have been in vain, but no effort is really wasted. Nothing can prevent natural disasters, but sometimes we are too greedy and assume that we can ignore nature’s power. During times of disaster, our personal safety and the safety of our families and friends are foremost on our minds. How precious life is! All too often, we are too busy making money, and we have no time for others. But when a disaster strikes, it becomes clear that nothing is more precious than our lives, our families, and our friends. My hope is that the disaster will make us wiser so that we value the things that are most precious. The Japanese concept of gambaru should become a source of strength enabling the people to rise again.

¹“Building a Better Asia” is administered by the Information and Resource Center with the support of The Nippon Foundation, the donor of the Sylff endowments. BABA 9 in Nara, Japan, was held over six days to discuss such important issues as “leadership and governance,” “peace and dialogue among cultures,” “human security,” and “promoting a greener economy in Asia.”

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

From Temporary Residents to Immigrants: Some Issues concerning Brazilians in Japan

February 8, 2011
By 19671

Early years of Japanese immigration to Brazil

The history of Japanese immigration to Brazil dates from 1908, when the first steamship arrived in Santos carrying the first immigrants to an unknown tropical land located on the other side of the globe. At that time, there was a shortage of labour force in coffee plantations in Brazil, and Japan decided to establish an emigration policy to cope with an increasing population and lack of natural resources that could feed their citizens.

Also, the limitation imposed by an amendment to the immigration law in the United States caused the impossibility of Japanese people to immigrate to that country, inciting the search for other places in the world where Japanese could temporarily work and return with enough savings to secure a better life.

These factors contributed to the immigration flow to the American continent, specifically to countries such as Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. However, life outside Japan was extremely arduous, due to somewhat precarious work conditions in the beginning of the last century, foreign language, different food and habits, among others.

Even though Japanese people had emigrated temporarily, debts related to the long journey from Japan to South America, as well as living expenses, made it hard for them to save enough to return to their original country. Also, the World War II and consequently Japan’s defeat were critical factors that made them settle and change their status from temporary to permanent residents.

One hundred years had passed and in the verge of celebrating this occasion, around the 1990s, the situation was reversed and Japanese descendants from South America started taking the opposite route to work temporarily in Japan, one of the greatest economies in the world, at that time suffering labour shortage and offering better conditions and salaries, and therefore, perspectives of life.

Japanese descendants return to Japan

In 1990, Japan enforced an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to include a long-term resident visa for Japanese descendants who wished to come to Japan to visit relatives and spend time in their country of ethnical origin.

The long-term visa opened a possibility for Japanese descendants to engage in any type of activity, including non-skilled jobs, since there was no restriction in terms of what kind of activities they could pursue during their stay in Japan.

At that time, there was a shortage of labour force in some industrial sectors and even though the preference for hiring same ethnic people was never openly discussed in public, there was a trend to accept Japanese descendants who would adapt and interact more easily with other Japanese colleagues.

Combining the need of labour force in Japan and economic crisis in Brazil and the possibility of long-term visas to stay in Japan, a large number of Japanese descendants decided to try their luck in the land of their ancestors. At the peak of this diaspora, in 2007, the Japanese Ministry of Justice registered 316,967 Brazilian residents (included in this figure are Japanese-Brazilians, non-descendant spouses and children until the third and fourth generations).

With the recent economic crisis that affected many countries worldwide, causing huge cuts in expenditure and thus unemployment, and also the release of funds from the Japanese government to support the return of migrant workers who did not have the means to purchase a return air ticket, the number of Brazilians residing in the country dropped to 267,456, according to the latest available statistic from the Japanese Ministry of Justice (December 2009).

Being the third largest group of foreigners, most of them unable to speak the language and having different habits and perspectives of life and culture, it was inevitable that problems would occur.

It is worth mentioning that the first two groups of foreigners living in Japan are of Chinese and Koreans, respectively, most of them already integrated in Japanese society, due to the easiness of learning and communicating in Japanese in the case of Chinese and of being born and raised in Japan, the case for many Koreans. Therefore, cultural shocks, language problems and others are less visible within these groups.

In the beginning of this migration wave, like the Japanese who went to Brazil in the last century, Japanese-Brazilians planned to spend a couple of years in Japan, save enough money to go back and open small businesses, buy real estate, finance their children or their own studies and so on.

Both strategies and goals were quite immediate and the plan was to return to Brazil as soon as possible. However, the lack of experience as business managers resulting in failure of entrepreneurship attempts, or lack of knowledge as to where to invest and other unexpected factors contributed to make Japanese-Brazilians to either return to Japan or extend their stay.

Settling trends: from temporary residents to immigrants

After some years, the pattern of men and women migrating by themselves, leaving their families behind, changed to include spouses and children. Soon later, issues regarding Brazilian children education, bullying stories, adaptation problems and others started to circulate and even though these are far from being completely solved, certain stability was achieved.

Asked whether their stay was still temporary after long years in Japan, Brazilians were categorical to reply that they would return to Brazil. However, as their children started attending Japanese schools, some following until university, opened small businesses directed to the Brazilian community, to mention few developments, the will to return started fading and the discourse changed to include plans to go back to Brazil after retirement.

Some signs of this trend to stay can be seen in the increase of permanent visa and naturalization requests, as well as long-term loans to buy real estate. Because of these, scholars and media have been referring to this group of people not anymore as dekasegi, which originally alludes to people who leave their home temporarily to work somewhere else, but as immigrants.

This shift in the provisional status of temporary workers to immigrants needs to be accompanied by new analysis and possible change of policy towards this group of foreigners.

Long-term vision and strategies are necessary to address current but future problems as well. In this sense, the signature of the first bilateral agreement Japan signed with an emerging country on social security issues demonstrates that there is a concern that involves problematic issues with future impact. Through this agreement, Brazilian and Japanese workers alike may contribute to the social security in the country they are currently residing and later count the years of contribution in order to obtain pension and other benefits.

On the other hand, the Japanese government has also been intensifying the assistance to foreign workers through its Public Employment Security Offices and Hello Work agencies, by posting announcements for jobs, one of their primary roles, but also offering language courses and training programmes, in an attempt to facilitate employment.

Despite of the economic crisis, these measures that aim to absorb this workforce are extremely important, considering that Japan’s population growth rate is already negative and it is predicted that it is one of the countries that will face severe shortage of labour force in the near future.

Some legal problems and possible solutions

Although some issues are being taken care of, there are other matters that urgently need attention and that will most certainly have repercussions for the future. One of them is the judicial cooperation between the two countries in civil and criminal matters, an issue that has been in the negotiation agenda for quite some time.

It is worth emphasising that the two areas are equally important, because although criminal matters receive a lot of media attention, particularly in Japan, related issues in both areas affect real people, children and families in Japan and in Brazil.

During the past years, victims’ families of the crimes committed by Brazilians have been exerting pressure on the Japanese government to negotiate an extradition agreement with Brazil. This is due to the elusion of criminal offenders to that country, where, like others including Japan, extradition of nationals is prohibited, unless special circumstances occur (in the case of Brazil, if the crime was committed before naturalization; and in the case of Japan, if there is an extradition agreement that establishes otherwise).

The only possibility thus left to take offenders to trial is making a formal request to the Brazilian government to prosecute them in Brazil by providing evidence and all other necessary materials.

Notwithstanding the inexistence of a specific criminal cooperation agreement, Brazilian authorities have been cooperating with Japanese authorities so far, but differences in both countries’ legislations and penalties are causing some distress. For example, death caused by traffic accident in Japan is punished with prison that may range from 7 to 20 years depending on aggravating circumstances, while in Brazil, if it is an involuntary homicide, the penalty can vary between 2 to 4 years, but if there is aggravating circumstances, it can be increased up until 6 years, together with the suspension or prohibition of obtaining a driver’s license. For Japanese people it is inconceivable that Brazilian law seems to be lenient in these cases. However, unlike in Japan, where there are special facilities for those who committed this type of crime, in Brazil there is nothing similar.

The way in which a society defines and punishes crimes may differ considerably according to their own interpretation and perspectives of life, culture, values that should be protected or discouraged and so on. However, albeit crimes classification and penalties might be different, it should not be an obstacle for both countries to find a way to cooperate with each other and pursue the task of punishing crimes.

A clear need of an agreement that addresses judicial cooperation is apparent, not only to speed up the process, in some cases delayed due to the lack of knowledge concerning the appropriate procedures, but most importantly to shape the cooperation according to specific requirements, in suitable and acceptable ways for both Brazil and Japan.

Regarding cooperation in civil matters, there is a simple agreement based on an exchange of notes in 1940. At that time, there were many Japanese residing in Brazil due to the immigration flow that started in 1908 and evidently, there was a need of a cooperation agreement that could assist Japanese authorities to reach their citizens in Brazil, mostly in case of inheritances at that time.

More than half a century later, a large number of Brazilians is now residing in Japan and the same problem surfaces. The bilateral agreement of 1940 does not address anymore all the issues concerning civil cooperation, although the current exchanges are being based on that document. Procedural and substantial differences in both countries’ legislations cause some frictions that could be mitigated with a deep understanding of social, cultural, historical and institutional legacies.

Notwithstanding, ongoing negotiations have been occurring for some years and certainly there are many aspects that are yet to be distilled, but as mentioned, government officials must keep a clear focus and objective in their minds: legal issues have a major impact in someone’s life and one that may affect an entire existence, change people’s and especially children’s future.

In the case of civil cooperation, spouses and children who live either in Japan or in Brazil are in need of alimony for survival, former spouses are trying to obtain divorce in order to marry again, sometimes with a new partner with whom they already live a de facto family situation, and many others.

Therefore, a concrete effort towards overcoming differences and pre-conceived notions shall be made to positively influence the settlement of these legal issues, a matter of concern for both governments, but of extreme importance for their citizens.

Aurea Tanaka in front of the former Kobe Emigration Center, where Japanese who were about to emigrate to Brazil spent a couple of days before boarding in early 1900s.

It is a matter of creating priorities and making difficult choices as regards what rights to protect. If the fear is a transformation of legal consciousness and eventual social unrest, the solution is not to leave these matters unresolved but be proactive and anticipate the establishment of rules that will address the problems in a systematic and comprehensive way, nurturing a legal stability that will only benefit all parties involved. In this sense, it is important to offer a clear sign that both governments are concerned and upholding their citizens’ interests by taking the necessary measures to tackle problems that affect their lives.

If the temporary migrants of the past are becoming the immigrants of the future, it is also time to replace the short-term vision when thinking about immediate problems and searching for solutions, look into the future and the challenging achievements that still need to be pursued.

The history of the Japanese immigration to Brazil has completed 100 years in 2008. During the celebrations, it was mentioned that the most important aspect of both countries’ relations was the human bond that brought Japanese to Brazil and Brazilians to Japan. It is unrealistic and unlikely that this tie will break during the next 100 years and that shall gives us all one more stimulus to continue collaborating and joining efforts in accommodating both countries’ specific features and interests when looking for common problem’s solutions.

The opinions expressed in the articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessary represent the views of the Tokyo Foundation.

Aurea Christine Tanaka

Aurea Christine Tanaka was a Sylff Fellow in 2004 while finishing her Ph.D. dissertation submitted to the Department of International Law of the Faculty of Law of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. For her Ph.D. she addressed issues related to International Family Law, focusing on divorce cases involving Brazilians living in Japan. Attorney-at-law, she has advised Brazilian and Japanese in legal problems involving both countries’ legal systems and since 2008 has been working for the Education for Sustainable Development Programme at the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies. She is currently interested in research involving the correlation between law and development, especially the impact and influence of legal instruments in changing behaviour and guiding sustainable practices, as well as partnerships in education for sustainable development. E-mail: tanaka[at]ias.unu.edu. The author would like to express her gratitude to Professor Masato Ninomiya of the University of São Paulo and Mr. Isamu Maruyama from the Tokyo Foundation, for their valuable comments.

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

A Marriage of Convenience: Filipina Domestic Workers and the Singaporean State

September 1, 2009
By 20886

Last month I flew to South Korea to participate as a paper presenter and panel chair in the World Civic Youth Forum (WCYF) 2009. The WCYF is a programme of the World Civic Forum 2009, organised by Kyung Hee University in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This year the conference was held at the Global Campus of Kyung Hee University from 5-8 May.

WCYF provided an excellent forum for me to present a paper I have prepared for my Masters degree in Gender and Development at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. My paper considers the case of Filipina migrant domestic workers in Singapore.

I became interested in the subject of women's migration for domestic work long before studying for my Masters degree. I was particularly interested in women's experiences of long distance migration and their treatment in the destination country. I have visited Singapore a number of times to visit family there, and observing the 'maid culture' during my visits has made me keen to research this topic to satisfy my own curiosity.

The subject of domestic workers is a 'hot topic' in many prosperous Asian countries. In Singapore, it is estimated that one in seven households employs a live-in domestic worker, representing a demand for maids which has increased in Singapore since the late 1970s. There are around 150,000 female domestic workers in Singapore, around 63,000 of which are Filipino nationals; however this does not include the large numbers of undocumented workers.

The trend of female labour migration from the Philippines takes place against a backdrop of a changing Asia, a region which is undergoing considerable transformation. Singapore, a small city-state with a population of around 4.84 million, represents an important hub within this region, acting (alongside Hong Kong) as a leader in the economic markets and the global knowledge economy. The country has seen considerable social, political and economic change since the 1960s under the leadership of the People's Action Party, which has been in power since Singapore's achievement of self-government in 1959. Processes of rapid urbanisation, and a shift from light manufacturing to high technology industries, have meant profound changes for most Singaporeans.

With the rapid entry of women into paid employment, demand for domestic help has been significant and sustained, and has ensured the survival of 'dual career partnerships'. The unwillingness of local women to undertake paid domestic work has also contributed to the steady flow of migrant labour entering Singapore. Gendered divisions of labour have not significantly altered with the increase of women in paid work, resulting in middle class women juggling a 'double day' of both productive and reproductive labour.

The failure of the state and the private sector to provide adequate child and elder care has meant that large numbers of working women have sought live-in maids to provide a substitute caregiver for their children or elderly relatives. This demand for reproductive labour results in the 'commoditisation of caring', and more specifically, a commoditisation of motherhood. Both kin work and domestic duties are transferred to the market to deal with this 'crisis of care'. Accompanying the increase of women in professional employment during the 1990s were a number of demographic changes including declining birth rates, later marriages and increased life expectancies. These changes have caused considerable anxiety to the Singapore government.

The demand for domestic workers has been met by the state through open door immigration policies for domestic migrant workers; however, in recent years there has been reluctance on the part of the government to encourage dependence on foreign workers. This ambiguity around the role of domestic workers is reflected in contradictory policy. The government has introduced a number of measures to regulate the inflow of migrant workers, in an attempt to curb dependency on maids by those who do not really 'need' them, namely non-professional, less educated women who the state would prefer to be in engaged in waged employment rather than childbearing. Regulatory measures in Singapore include restrictions on number of maids per household, short term work permits for domestic workers, and extra costs payable to the government by employers.

Government discourse has represented the 'invasion' of other cultures and races as a threat to economic success and state authority, with the Philippines in particular being represented in a negative light. Foreign workers in Singapore in some ways embody the possibility of this invasion of difference. In this sense, state-constructed hegemonic forms of masculinity are associated with hegemonic forms of racism, enacted by feminising and pacifying those dominated.

The consequences of this internalised orientalism for female migrant workers are significant. Female foreign workers in particular are seen as a threat to national security by virtue of their 'foreignness', as well as a threat to Singaporean society itself, by virtue of their sexuality. The potential of maids to unravel the moral fibre of society is a point of considerable anxiety, and is reflected in the state-owned press, and by employment agencies.

Violations of domestic workers' privacy and personal freedom are officialised in immigration policies which contravene international human rights standards. Government policies such as compulsory regular medical checks for domestic workers (including pregnancy and HIV tests), and restrictions on domestic workers' rights to marry freely are framed in the familiar rhetoric of the danger of moral collapse. In this sense, the sexuality of both local women and foreign women has become a 'target of state discipline', through pro-natalist policies for the former and restrictive labour policies for the latter.

The government has taken on minimal responsibility for the welfare of its foreign workers, for example by refusing to regulate maids' wages and instead leaving them to be determined by market forces. Domestic workers (unlike other foreign workers) are excluded from Singapore's main labour laws, the Employment Act and the Workmen's Compensation Act, which guarantee workers 'a minimum of one rest day per week, a maximum of forty-four work hours per week, limits on salary deductions, and fourteen days of paid sick leave'. Whilst the working conditions of domestic workers have been improved by some recent changes to legislation, there remains a disturbing lack of legal protection for privately employed live-in maids.

In Singapore, we therefore see that gender, nationality and class intersect to justify a persons' involvement in domestic work. The international transfer of care giving therefore creates a 'two-tier hierarchy' established through a racial division of reproductive labour. Privileged female citizens of rich nations such as Singapore are therefore able to 'have it all' through the exploitation of lower status women as cheap labourers. The 'foreignness' of migrant workers, combined with the feminising and 'Othering' of the Philippines absolves the state of its responsibilities and legitimises the exploitation of migrant workers. However, interventions to protect the rights of domestic workers must involve both sending and receiving countries, as well as the international community.

Some actions which could be taken by the Singaporean government to improve the situation of foreign domestic workers include:

Ensure domestic workers can access equal and complete legal protection
Enforce policies which help to prevent abuses of workers, and create mechanisms to monitor abuses, with strong penalties for those who offend
Improve foreign workers' access to the justice system
Ensure domestic workers' freedom of movement, including access to new job opportunities
Sign and commit to international human rights agreements which protect the rights of migrants
Support NGOs in their role providing additional services to migrant workers

The WCYF gave me a great opportunity to discuss with other delegates the situation of migrant domestic workers in their own contexts. The participants contributed by sharing their experiences and knowledge of the rights of domestic workers in their own countries. During the session we discussed female migrants' ability to exercise agency, even within the most constricting of circumstances. In studying women's labour migration, one must never assume women's passive acceptance of conditions, but instead seek to understand how they engage in daily renegotiation of their roles, freedoms and status.

I enjoyed attending the WCYF conference very much. It was especially interesting to experience a taste of Korean culture and hospitality, as I had never visited South Korea before. It was also interesting to hear many other students' presentations on a wide range of topics.

In the future I hope to work for an organisation which promotes gender equality in all areas of women's and men's lives, including paid labour. Women's access to, and control of, income is an important element of their empowerment. I am currently working on the dissertation paper for my Masters degree, which explores how women might benefit through other income streams such as cash transfers. I hope to finish my programme in September 2009 and graduate in January 2010.

The full paper can be found at http://www.wcyf2009.org/callforpaper/sub02.html?key=singapore

Message from the Tokyo Foundation:Why don't you write an article too?

“Voices from the Sylff Community” is a space showcasing the activities and opinions of Sylff fellows and faculty members. We have received contributions from fellows and faculty members all over the world.　We are looking forward to sharing YOUR voices with people around the world, including global issues with local perspective, grassroots issues requiring global attention, and your first-hand experience. For further details, please click here.

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

Journey of the Soul to Nurture Future Leaders

April 24, 2009
By 19644

Future leaders of Asia gathered in Orissa, India, to share experiences and ideas on problems facing Asia. Muhammad Ilham from the University of Indonesia participated in “Building a Better Asia,” which is a biannual retreat for recipients of Sylff and other scholarships from the Nippon Foundation. The purpose of the dialogue was to nurture the leaders of Asia and to build a brighter future for Asia.

Lessons Learned from the BABA Retreat in Orissa, India

The purpose of this article is to express my feelings and thoughts about the BABA V Retreat. Conducted in Orissa, India, from February 8 to 14, 2009, this event brought together representatives from various countries in Asia and descendants of Asians around the world who felt it was their concern to build a better Asia and a safer world. The Nippon Foundation, as the initiator/organizer, selected former and current scholarship fellows to sit down together to share experiences and ideas on problems facing Asia these days. Present at the event were 20 participants and two facilitators, of whom at least eight were Sylff fellows. Several resource persons also contributed to this event. This initiative is a pinpoint effort given the current situation in which Asia is still full of problems. As the world economy declines, countries in Asia are the focus of greater attention with all of the potentials this region has.

Entering the event, I had several questions in my mind: What are likely to be the common problems we have to deal with in the future? What kind of leadership and efforts do we need to address them? And most importantly, what can I learn from this event that will benefit the people of my country, Indonesia, and the world?

Coping with Problems Concerning Collaboration

As the BABA V Retreat was conducted right at the time the world economic crisis was spreading at an extremely rapid pace, the participants were also very concerned about this. Triggered by the economic meltdown of the United States, Asia also felt the impact of the economic crisis with exports slumping due to the decline in purchasing power of the US domestic market. This, in turn, led to companies in Asian countries falling into bankruptcy, with increasing unemployment and poverty. This dealt a heavy blow on developing countries in Asia, where, even without this current crisis, there are already so many classic problems such as deforestation, terrorism, trafficking, poverty, corruption, conflict, human rights violations, and poor health care. Good cooperation and regional collaboration are the keys to overcome these problems.

The BABA V Retreat could be an example of an initiative to start a simple model of cooperation and collaboration to address the problems in question. The diversity of background and expertise of the participants are a great blend. It is also important for them as the young generation of leaders to work without political restraint and narrow-minded nationalism in order to make greater contributions to a better Asia.

The intimacy of the participants during the event and the ideas that emerge are good starting points for this collaboration. Of worthy mention here is that we successfully formulated a map of a practical vision for Asia in five to ten years to come (such as a Green Asia, Asia without conflict, and a corruption-free environment) and formed working groups to carry on the post-BABA Retreat outcomes. However many things still need to be sharpened in order to implement them in a more concrete manner.

The current challenge is how we can shape and continue coordination and communication among us who live so many miles apart. This is not only because we face, on our return to our respective countries, work that has piled up during our absence. There are also many things formulated during the BABA V Retreat that are still too raw to proceed with in a proper manner. Individual initiatives and strong leadership of each working group are keys to continuously connect and move on together. At this point I would like to suggest to the next BABA Retreat that it would be better to have more time than what we had in Orissa to develop a collaborative action plan since it is necessary to have everything set up and ready before the conclusion of the event. <

Leadership for the Future

Let me start with a simple notion that the main contributors to the recurring problems in many countries in Asia are, in the first place, their leaders. At least until now, governmental, political, and social leaders have too often become part of the problem. Some of them do not have good leadership vision; some do not have any concerns about peoples’ interests; some are corrupt; some do not do anything other than maintain their power; and some are also very weak or totalitarian. We do not celebrate their traits. But we want them as part of the solution.

The BABA V Retreat taught us important lessons on leadership. One of the lessons was that future leaders must act promptly and start from problems in surrounding areas. Visiting artisan communities in poor villages in Orissa, we visited the Darbar Sahitya Sansat (DSS), a local NGO that has a long story of success in economic empowerment. The DSS’s organizers started this initiative from a very young age when some of them were still in universities or were fresh graduates. They first stood up to help survivors of a massive flood in their village and after that, they have never looked back.

They went on a relentless effort to improve the livelihood of the poor in Orissa. This is very tricky since poverty in many cultures and societies is often considered a matter of laziness, fate, and even a curse. In addition, many also think that it is solely the responsibility of the governments or generous and wealthy people to help the poor. Those ideas never appear in the DSS dictionary. Poverty for them is always structural and alleviating it is part of their life struggle. They speak out loudly on how would it be possible for the poor to increase their income if they had never received support from others, especially when the capitalist state systematically shuts their windows of opportunity. Poor people in India very often have difficulties in gaining access to conventional credit banks because of their poverty, illiteracy, absence of collateral, and other factors.

To overcome this problem, community organizers of DSS provide micro credit for the poor and manage it in small self-help groups of women. The groups themselves are their collateral and choosing women as members is important here since they are more trusty and careful to their families than men usually are. By doing so, DSS gives assistance to the poor without making them dependant. On the contrary, the poor women are able to increase their income as well as manage to empower themselves to contribute to their livelihood. This is not charity as casual observers may think. This is the basic concept of community empowerment.

How BABA Retreat Affects Me

There is no doubt that The BABA V Retreat impressed me very much. This was not only because I was able to meet such great people, but also due to the lessons I learned in relation to my work and worldview.

My encounter with NGO activists in Orissa truly reaffirms my belief. It is true that there are many ways to change the world, but it always begins with your choice. After graduating from a university, there are many options available. To choose working in an NGO is not popular enough in Indonesia although many NGOs operate here. For many of us, especially in the past, being an activist is full of repression and depression. Also, there is always uncertainty about the future. It takes courage and much fortitude to walk the path. Nevertheless, representing the voice of civil society is the highest of honors. As long as I am able to maintain my passion, I will not fade away.

Furthermore, we are not alone. It is very clear that there are still many never-ending problems in Asia. However, the BABA V Retreat made a bold statement of togetherness. In every place, time, and level there are people who have already put all their strengths into this. So it is now time for us to transform this togetherness into a strategic collaboration for the future.

Discussions and other activities with all the participants and resource persons during the event also pointed out that no matter how understanding a big mind is, it is the soul that is the true guide. What is amazing about the BABA V is that, to me, the people there just showed so much passion and courage stemming from their huge hearts. This was enlightening for me as I had been lost in despair seeing hard facts when working in humanitarian projects. For a long time I have criticized what happened in Aceh, the area most affected by the tsunami that hit Indonesia in December 2004. Although 8 billion US dollars poured into the area, the number of poor people before and after the tsunami remains the same. Where is the impact of this huge influx of money on the grassroots?

So much money intended to mitigate the post-tsunami disaster and rebuild a better Aceh is being misallocated or corrupted. The utmost mandate for post-tsunami reconstruction is to rebuild the homes and livelihoods of the survivors along with related infrastructures, but only a very small portion of the funds goes to livelihood projects, and even much less for monitoring efforts. The shift in priority toward building mega projects is not in the best interest of most of the people. Could we say this reconstruction is successful when the most benefits are for the rich and the ruler on one hand, and the projects negate transparency, accountability, and community participation on the other hand? Since the post-tsunami projects are led and managed by educated people, they are responsible for this distressed condition. They have the power, money, expertise, and everything else to prevent all this misery from happening. But they did not do anything. Bottom line: you may teach someone to have brilliant knowledge, but that smartness can be used to fool people. A true, beautiful mind is one that is guided by the soul.

During the BABA V Retreat, my encounter with those great people with enormous talent, life trajectory, skill, courage, and experience convinced me about my true self and what I should do in the future. I have learned so many things from them that I am now more than confident that we will see a better future for Asia as long as we can go hand in hand to overcome the problems and passionately maintain our life goals.

Message from the Tokyo Foundation:Why don't you write an article too?

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

Fellows Volunteer to Help China Earthquake Victims

November 25, 2008
By 20888

The Tokyo Foundation had called out to the Sylff fellows in China for activities to provide relief to the victims of China’s Great Sichuan Earthquake. 2 volunteer teams centering on Sylff fellows were given financial support to carry out their activities. A report entitled “Sylff Fellows in China Support Great Sichuan Earthquake Victims,” which was written by a staff member of the Tokyo Foundation who observed their activities, had been uploaded to this site a short while ago. As the Foundation has now received reports from the Lanzhou University and Chongqing University volunteer teams, the following is a translated and edited version of their reports.

The Tokyo Foundation project to support prospective college students in Wen County

Zeng Xianghong / Project Leader Sylff Fellow, Lanzhou University

Project contents

Responding to the calls by the Tokyo Foundation, team leader Zeng Xianghong, a Sylff Fellow in the PhD program of the School of Politics and Administration, Lanzhou University, planned and made an application to conduct a project to support prospective college students in the No. 1 Middle School of Wen County, Longnan, Gansu Province (middle school also includes grades up to high school). This project was accepted for funding by the Tokyo Foundation. Activities were carried out at the school by a volunteer team made up of eight graduate students of Lanzhou University’s School of Politics and Administration.

The goal of this project was to give materialistic and mental support to students of Wen No. 1 Middle School who were scheduled to enter four-year universities. The team departed Lanzhou by long-distance bus on the evening of August 20, and arrived in Wen in the afternoon of the following day. We immediately met with the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Ma Meian, to discuss how to proceed with activities on the following day. We were initially scheduled to conduct activities for about three to four days, but after discussions with the school, it was decided to concentrate activities into one day due to fears of aftershocks, among others.

Participants in the relief activities conducted on August 22 were the eight volunteers of the team, Vice Principal Ma, General Secretary Mr. Yuan Xiaobin of the administrative department, five of the school’s homeroom teachers for third-year high school students, and the prospective college students numbering about 180. Not only did we distribute supplies needed immediately for school including schoolbags, notebooks, and pens, but a presentation was also made on university life. Guidance was given to provide understanding and to prepare the students mentally for university life. Explanations included tips on how to study, how to apply for scholarships, communication skills, and participation in social activities.

The students showed particular interest in how to mentally prepare for university life, stories of how the speaker matured while at college, as well as how to apply for scholarships. They listened very earnestly while taking notes. The students responded well, and it could be said that this time’s activity had the effects we had anticipated.

The students of Wen No. 1 Middle School came from areas all around Wen county, and some lived very far from school. About 20 students were not able to get to school until after the end of the day’s activities. We waited until they came and were able to directly hand over the supplies to them.

Response

Prior preparations—the team leader went to the school in the beginning of August for pre-inspection and detailed discussions on the activities—and carefully planned arrangements led to this project fulfilling its expectations.

We also fortunately received the positive support and cooperation of the school for the activities. Arrangements for the room and notification to the students were done efficiently, and the scheduling was done in a very thorough manner. The attention to detail in talks between the volunteers and the school in the preparation stage led to its success.

This time’s relief to the prospective college students differed from many relief activities in which main support comes in the form of supplies given to the beneficiary, which in most cases is a school. One of the key features of our project was to provide mental support, and the beneficiaries in this case were each individual student. This method was highly appraised by the teachers and students. In addition, we believe that this activity helped enhance our planning and organization capabilities. The Sylff fellows of Lanzhou University were able to communicate the spirit of helping people through this activity, and were able to realize in concrete form the empathy and support of the Tokyo Foundation to the Chinese people.

In retrospect

Impact of the earthquake

The lasting and most striking impression left on us was none other than the devastating impact of the Great Sichuan Earthquake. The earthquake hit on May 12, and over three months had passed when I went to Wen county at the beginning of August to prepare for our activities. Although partial restorations had been made for the direct damages of the earthquake, tents serving as temporary homes were present everywhere, from the roadsides to fields, mountains, and riversides.

Moreover, the destructive force of the earthquake not only took away many precious lives and assets, but continued to impact the lives of the people in the disaster-stricken region in the form of trauma and fears of aftershocks.

Wen No. 1 Middle School has three classroom buildings, but they need to be rebuilt due to extensive damage. Currently, the students are studying in temporary classrooms available through outside cooperation, but the learning environment is inadequate. The building that used to house the school’s administration has also been severely damaged, and is off-limits. The school’s staff members are working in the library where damages were comparatively light.

Our activities to aid Wen No. 1 Middle School were very limited in view of how much is needed to cope with the enormous destruction wrought by the Great Earthquake. However, we feel that it was very meaningful in that we were able to do something, however small, for the people of this disaster-stricken area.

Experience as the leader

I would like to take this opportunity to touch upon what I was able to experience by leading this activity. I had, up to now, participated in many hands-on social activities held by the university or my professors, but this was the first time for me to be a leader, organizing and putting a volunteer team to work. This experience helped me to better understand the purpose of the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff), which aims to nurture leaders with a global vision. This time’s activity required many elements—proposing and planning the project, contacting Wen No. 1 Middle School, calling for volunteers, communicating with the Tokyo Foundation, coordinating implementation of the project, and precise action-taking and decision-making as the team leader. And during the conduction of activities, my skills of communication, foresight, and decision-making were tested. Luckily, my planned project went smoothly with very good results. I was able to secure the safety of the volunteers, and all the team members participated very willingly. I would like to thank the Tokyo Foundation for providing us with this precious opportunity.

The students of Wen No. 1 Middle School

In closing, I wish to relate my impressions of the prospective college students at Wen No. 1 Middle School. Within the various hardships and inconveniences brought on by the earthquake, this school was able to have a record-breaking number of its students pass the national college entrance exams: over 240 students passed the exams compared to last year’s figure of 165. Of course, this was partially due to the policy of the Chinese government to aid those students who were preparing for the exams in the disaster-stricken areas, but one of the major factors for this was, no doubt, the strong courage and spirit of the students who continued studying for their exams even after the earthquake.

On the day of the relief activities, we met with over 180 of these students. We were very moved by their deep yearning to go to college and their positive attitude toward university life. Over 90 percent of these students come from rural villages. Although we do not have any specific data regarding their household income, from what we have heard, we foresee difficulties arising in their households and life at the university. When we gave our presentation on university life, the greatest interest was shown toward scholarship systems and student loans. However, no matter what difficulties these students may encounter, I am certain that they will address these challenges with courage and perseverance.

Volunteer activities in the disaster-stricken region of Mianyang

Tang Songlin / Project Leader Sylff Fellow, Chongqing University

Introduction

My volunteer activity during the seven days in Mianyang city of Sichuan Province, a region suffering from damage by the Great Earthquake, was short but left a deep and lasting impression on me.

Through the assistance of the Tokyo Foundation, friends who shared my aspirations gathered to conduct volunteer activities aiming to provide mental support to the middle school students of Mianyang. The members of the team were, other than myself, He Guolian, a teacher from New Idea Training, Chen Yan, the General Manger of Chongqing Shanshui Travel Agency and lecturer, Li Lihui, a lecturer from Southwest University, Wu Meibao and An Xiaopeng, both graduate students of psychology at Southwest University, and Zhou Youlan, a designer.

Project Contents

Interviews

We arrived in Mianyang on August 20. On the following day, we visited an evacuation center in the suburbs of Mianyang and interviewed the people there, especially middle school students, to gain an understanding of their emotional state. At first, many of the students looked extremely calm and already recovered from their anguish over the earthquake, but while speaking to them, we came to understand that their minds were still in a dark shadow as they suffered from the deep scars of the earthquake. They were very confused and anxious about the future. We understood that what they desperately needed is not just concrete aid in the form of daily supplies, but aid that could provide them with strong belief and hope for the future.

This situation made us realize how valuable our volunteer activity was in its aim to provide mental support, and gave us a solid sense of confidence and determination.

Beichuan Middle School

August 22. We went to Beichuan Middle School, the school that suffered one of the most serious damages from the earthquake. The earthquake had totally destroyed the original school building. The entire school, with its teachers and students, had moved to the training center of a major firm, Changhong, located in the suburbs of Mianyang. And this was where we went to meet and speak with the Beichuan Middle School students. When we began talking about the earthquake, many of the students were unable to hide their fear. The students also spoke tearfully of teachers who gave up their lives to save the students. It was a very emotional and moving experience. Counseling sessions were conducted by the experts on psychology in our team to help these children come out from the dark shadows cast by memories of the disaster.

Because the damages at Beichuan Middle School were widely reported over the media, and since it was listed as one of the priority sites for reconstruction, it was receiving a great deal of domestic and foreign relief. Due to such reasons, after completing our work here, we decided to move our activities to another school that was more in need of aid.

Xiushui Middle School

August 23. We went to Xiushui Middle School in An county, which was under the jurisdiction of Mianyang city, to prepare for counseling work at the school. We also spoke with students in all grades on this day to hear about changes in their emotional state after the earthquake and problems they were facing in studying and daily life. A survey using a questionnaire was conducted on about 200 students. This survey was conducted to gain a deeper and broader understanding of their mental state.

August 24. We analyzed and sorted the data obtained from the questionnaires completed by the students, and based on the results, formulated specific plans for the counseling sessions. After this, we purchased what materials were necessary for the sessions, and conducted a mock counseling session.

August 25–26. Counseling was conducted for two days at Xiushui Middle School. Because the earthquake had damaged lodging facilities in the area around the school, we were unable to stay overnight there, and had to spend the nights in Mianyang. We made the two-hour trip to the school every day by bus.

Based on personal experience, the professional counselor on our team planned and conducted four counseling sessions tailored to the middle school students. These were “Adjusting your mental state and recovering your dreams,” “Communication and cooperation,” “Trust and responsibility,” and “Being thankful.” The volunteers joined the students to participate in the sessions.

Through the “Adjusting your mental state and recovering your dreams” session, the students were able to reduce their fear of the earthquake and gained more hope and receptiveness for the future. There was also more enthusiasm to participate in this activity. In the following two sessions, “Communication and cooperation,” and “Trust and responsibility,” group activities were conducted to raise teamwork and increase the students’ sense of responsibility and mission. In the final session, “Being thankful,” the students relaxed to soft music while listening to a reading by the instructor.

We sensed that the sessions helped the students release their long hidden emotions. Many of the students had a good cry. Teachers and parents who were watching the activities also cried as they hugged the students. Watching this scene unfolding before us, we couldn’t hold back our tears either.

Even after the end of the two-day session of activities, the students would not leave us and spoke eagerly about a lot of things. We were very moved by this. We also told the students about our impressions of the activity. We exchanged information on how to contact each other and bid our farewells. It was already past 10 o’clock when we returned to Mianyang, hungry and tired but still very excited and moved by our experience with the students.

Response from the students

With the completion of our activities, we returned to our universities and companies, but many emails still arrived from the students. They wrote about their studies, dreams for the future, and expressed their appreciation to us. We were relieved and very happy to hear from them. Of course, this was not because we expected to be rewarded. It was with a deep sense of relief that we were able to see that the seeds of love had been firmly implanted in their hearts and had flowered into new hopes for the future.

Where there is love, there is hope. We believe that a better and brighter future is in store for those in the disaster-stricken areas, and for the world as well.

Message from the Tokyo Foundation:Why don't you write an article too?

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

Supporting Victims of the Great Sichuan Earthquake

September 4, 2008
By null

On May 12, 2008 an extremely strong earthquake struck China, centering on Wenchuan county, Sichuan province. News of this major disaster and the extensive damages it wrought—over 80,000 people confirmed dead or listed as missing, and more than 370,000 people injured—were widely reported throughout the world. Continue reading →

HOME
タグ : Area Studies

The Overseas Chinese in Tonga

August 1, 2008
By 21136

Tonga will hail a new king in August 2008. A Sylff fellow from New Zealand, who conducted field research in the country, suggests that Tonga must improve cultural relations following November 2006 riots caused by ethnic tension between Tongans and Overseas Chinese and political rivalry between the state and opposition pro-democracy factions.

Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. The earliest ethnic Chinese arrived there as Anglican priests in the 1920s. It was not until 1974 that the first Taiwanese businessman settled there, and thereupon began a gradual increase in the Overseas Chinese (OC) population--mainly from Taiwan, with some from Hong Kong and some students from the People's Republic of China after the 1989 Tiananmen Incident1. Thousands of Tongan passports were sold in the 1990s to raise revenue for government coffers. The majority of these were purchased by PRC nationals who quickly established businesses and dominated Tongan commercial interests. By 2001, there were reportedly over 120 Chinese-run shops in Nuku'alofa--mostly small roadside stalls selling convenience items and snacks. Larger businesses include wholesale and retail shops. The number of standard shipping containers imported into Tonga indicates that Chinese businesspeople control a significant share of goods brought into the country. One businessman estimates that he alone imports 40 containers of foodstuffs and general use items per year. Another successful businessman imports about five containers per month.

A typical roadside stall owned by ethnic Chinese.

Today, there are approximately 600-700 ethnic Chinese residents on the main island of Tongatapu--less than 1% of the country's total population. However, the relatively sudden influx of Chinese migrants, the illegal selling of passports, and the subsequent government decision to make this legal have aggravated ethnic tensions. Resentment of OC immigrants has been manifested in various ways. Graffiti is scrawled across the outer walls of the PRC embassy; there are numerous cases of harassment and assaults against Chinese businessmen;² Tu'ivakano, chieftain of Nukunuku, banned Chinese stores in his district; and in late 2001, 600 ethnic Chinese were asked by the government to leave once their work permits expired in order to curb violence and anger against Chinese.

These tensions are tied to conflict within the royal family and its links with China. Princess Pilolevu has many business interests with the PRC and, along with her late father, was a strong supporter of Chinese immigration as a means to stimulate the economy. Further links with China are illustrated by bilateral deals involving fisheries, manufacturing and agriculture, and most importantly, the severing of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Prince 'Ulakalala had another view, deciding that the economy should not be open to foreigners, and used ethnic Chinese as the scapegoat for the island nation's continuing economic malaise.³

Former New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga Brian Smythe noted upon his retirement in 2003 that "public resentment at the rapid intrusion of Chinese immigrants into the retail sector seems to have diminished somewhat but could always resurface.⁴ His words would ring true. On November 16, 2006, entire blocks of Nuku'alofa's central business district were left in smoldering ruins following pro-democracy demonstrations. Out of 155 businesses damaged, 33 shops owned by Chinese nationals or naturalized Tongans of Chinese descent were systematically targeted for looting and then torched.⁵ Several OC businesses along the shoreline (about 10 minutes away on foot) were first cased by scouts, who then advised looters and arsonists by mobile telephone. It is important to note that only property was targeted, and not the people themselves. This all pointed to coordinated planning, preparation, and careful execution.⁶

art of downtown Nuku'alofa after the riots - all burnt down.

One report suggested the Chinese were attacked because of their support for the government.⁷ However, Chinese keep mostly to themselves and their businesses, with little interest in politics. Rather, it was a small minority of Tongans, such as whose in the pro-democratic Pangai Sii movement and the xenophobic Tonga National Business Association, who had focused negatively on Chinese and urged targeting of their businesses.⁸ Thugs were hired by Tongan business owners to attack rival operators.⁹¹⁰ Police intelligence confirmed these allegations. Commissioner Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi commented, "There was a struggle against the Chinese presence. They were not wanted and that's not democracy. Our investigations will include claims that there were other motives other than democracy behind the riot."¹¹

Violence in Nuku'alofa was quickly contained the same night the riots began.¹² However, hundreds of Chinese were left homeless. The PRC embassy made great efforts to provide assistance. It managed to feed, clothe, and house about 300 Chinese in its compound over five days, assisted by large donations from the OC community and sympathetic Tongans. An Air China Boeing 747 was sent to Nadi (Fiji) with food and necessities, to investigate the situation, and to rescue those requiring evacuation.¹³ The plane arrived back in Xiamen, China, on November 23, 2006.¹⁴ Jeremy Chan, an OC community member with Tongan citizenship who opted to remain, said those leaving "will probably never return."¹⁵ But this would not be the case.

Traditional Tongan architecture using natural materials.

The OC population controls a large proportion of businesses and services in the Pacific region. There would be significant repercussions for the local economy if this population were to be displaced or removed--investment would fall, unemployment would rise, and there would be fewer choices for and less access to supplies. The Pacific remains an economically attractive OC market and destination, and there is no indication they would voluntary leave permanently en masse. While the evacuation was necessary for those genuinely escaping the turmoil, the majority declined the offer. Some chose to stay and look after their businesses; some could not return to China because of the circumstances in which they left the country in the first place;¹⁶ and others were not even in Nuku'alofa at the time of the riots, given their transnational nature.

Of the 193 OC community members who left Tonga after the riots, most returned within a couple of months to rebuild their businesses or start new ones--mostly outside the central business district, which remains empty blocks of land. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of new Chinese arrivals may have even increased, with migrants believing more business opportunities have surfaced since the rioting. The only group not to return were young children, whose parents preferred to leave them behind in China for schooling.

The 2006 incident shows that dealing with OC affairs will become an important aspect of maintaining bilateral relations with Beijing. China expects and demands that countries protect its nationals (and by implication, all other members of the OC population) in trouble. How countries respond may either be praised or attacked. For example, Beijing thanked Tonga and other regional governments for their role in "active cooperation and assistance" in the return effort.¹⁷ A similar OC evacuation in April 2006 from Honiara in the Solomon Islands resulted in praise for Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia for their roles. In contrast, Solomon Islands officials were criticized for their lack of effort--the Chinese ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Wei Ruixing, noted, "We are very sorry that the SI government did nothing to help Chinese nationals when they were suffering."¹⁸

A typical family residential household in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

To improve bilateral relationships with Pacific nations, China provides generous aid packages. Following the riots, Beijing approved an estimated TG$100 million soft loan to the Tongan government for rebuilding central Nukua'lofa. This contribution places Beijing as a significant player in Tonga's future, but has so far received limited acceptance--all applications call only for Chinese-sourced labor and materials for reconstruction. Local businesses are wary to draw on this facility, due to unclear valuations, hidden long-term costs (such as interest), and concerns about low building quality.¹⁹ Furthermore, it could serve only to draw more Chinese to Tonga as construction workers and contractors.

The Chinese in Tonga all have different plans for the future--some intend to re-migrate to Australia or New Zealand, and others to return home to China. Their children's education and the genuine fear of repeated ethnic tension are both major considerations for moving on. Others cite the poverty and hard life faced in Tonga compared to the improving economic situation in China. Most, however, maintain that they can profit more there than elsewhere, and even if they migrate would still keep their Tongan businesses. In short, Chinese will remain as long as there is a safe living to be made. As for Tonga's future, there must be efforts to improve understanding and promote positive interaction between cultures. While there are friendly intentions to increase cooperation between the Tonga Chinese Business Association and the Tongan Chamber of Commerce, nothing has yet come to fruition. Time will tell if these cultural differences can be resolved.

This paper is the result of collection and analysis of media articles and meeting with diplomats, community and business leaders, journalists and various local Overseas Chinese in Tonga in August 2007.

1.Bill Willmott, "The Chinese Communities in the Smaller Countries of the South Pacific: Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Cook Islands." Working Paper 10, MacMillan Brown Library, University of Canterbury, 2007.
2."Tonga's Prince Takes a Swipe at Racism at Home and Abroad," Matangi Tonga, June 29, 2000.
3."Chinese Shopkeepers Told: Pack Up and Leave Country," Agence France-Presse, November 27, 2001.
4.Brian Smythe, "Tonga Report Talks of Royal Instability, Fears of Conflict." Report sent to Foreign Minister Phil Goff, June 11, 2003.
5.From a survey carried out by the Tongan Ministry of Labour, Commerce, and Industries, "Assessment Report of Damages in Tonga from 16/11," Tonga Now, November 20, 2006. See also "Calm Begins to Return to Tonga," Newstalk ZB, November 17, 2006, <http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/894685>.
6.Eight Tongan rioters were killed by fire when they could not escape a building they were trapped in while looting.
7."Tonga Riots," Reuters, November 19, 2006.
8."More Time Was Needed for Reforms, Govt Says," Tonga Now, November 19, 2006.
9.According to eye-witness Mike Jones (a New Zealand businessman) rioters were paid to cause trouble. "It wasn't a riot as such. It was an organised attempt to cut out all of the Chinese, and whatever businesses were in opposition." Quoted by Pesi Fonua, "Rebuilding Tongan Capital to Take 5 Years," China Post, November 22, 2006.
10."Tongan Business Owners Blame Riots on Rivals," Taipei Times, November 22, 2006, <http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/11/22/2003337434>.
11."Chinese Specifically Targeted: Tonga Police Commissioner," Fiji Times, November 19, 2006, <http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=51924>.
12.The deployment of Tonga Defense personnel on November 16 was followed by New Zealand and Australian troops on November 18. By then, little was needed to be done in terms of containment, leaving them only to assist with investigations, maintain security, and make low-key neighborhood patrols to calm Chinese communities.
13."Chinese Evacuated from Riot-Stricken Tonga," China Daily, November 23, 2006.
14."Chartered Plane to Fetch Chinese Nationals from Tonga Islands Arrives in E. China," Xinhua, November 23, 2006, <http://english.people.com.cn/200611/23/eng20061123_324557.html>.
15."Chinese Community in Tonga Still Reeling from Riots," Radio New Zealand, November 24, 2006.
16.One witness suspects certain OC immigrants had left China with money procured under illegal means and would face retribution if they returned.
17."Chinese Government Helped Its Citizens in Tonga Return to China with a Chartered Plane," PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website, November 22, 2006, <http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/fyrth/t281398.htm>; "Hundreds of Chinese Demand Repatriation from Troubled Tonga," Xinhua, November 22, 2006.
18.Issac Nicholas, "China Condemns Inaction," Solomon Star, May 2, 2006.
19.Interview with Tapu Panuve, Tonga Chamber of Commerce, Nuku'alofa, August 28, 2007.