New Books in Japanese Studies

Gracia Liu-Farrer, "Immigrant Japan: Mobility and Belonging in an Ethno-nationalist Society" (Cornell UP, 2020)

Jan 7, 2021
Gracia Liu-Farrer, author of 'Immigrant Japan: Mobility and Belonging in an Ethno-nationalist Society', discusses the tensions of belonging and not belonging for immigrants in Japan. She explores the reasons people want to come to Japan, where immigrants fit in the economic landscape, and how they navigate belonging in a complex environment. They also discuss the formation of 'ethno-nationalism' in Japan's history and the present and future challenges for the country.
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ANECDOTE

Personal Migration Story

  • Gracia Liu-Farrer studies migration because she is a migrant herself, having lived in China, the US, and Japan.
  • Her personal experience led her to research Chinese migrants in Japan for her dissertation.
INSIGHT

Japan's Growing Immigrant Population

  • Japan's foreign resident population is small compared to other developed countries, less than 3%.
  • However, it tripled during the three decades of the Heisei era, becoming a newer demographic.
INSIGHT

Japan's Shift Towards Immigration

  • Post-war Japan initially resisted immigration due to sufficient labor and concerns about social problems.
  • Economic booms and labor shortages later necessitated immigration, leading to policy changes in 1990.
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